The Ford Football Ferns will face Solomon Islands on Monday evening for a chance to represent Aotearoa at the Summer Olympics for the fifth time.  

The Ferns come into the OFC Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Final in good form, having improved game by game as head coach Jitka Klimková’s side get used to the conditions in Samoa and demands of the competition with games every three days. 

“We are excited for this final in front of us tomorrow. We wanted to be in this situation, we wanted to have five games at this tournament and here we are getting ready for the fifth one.” 

- Jitka Klimková

New Zealand reached the final after a 7-1 win over Fiji on Friday evening with two goals each for Jacqui Hand and Indiah-Paige Riley and a hat-trick for Grace Jale. 

Monday’s clash will be a moment to remember for defender Rebekah Stott who looks set to earn her 100th cap in the match, becoming the thirteenth Fern to reach that milestone. 

“It's been pretty crazy. I've been in the team now since 2012. It's been a long journey. 

“To get one cap for my country is amazing and incredible but to reach 100 is something so, so crazy. To be able to do that here, and hopefully qualify for the Olympics in that same game, will be something so special and something I'll remember forever.”

- Rebekah Stott

Having a chance to play at her third Olympics will be extra special for Stott after she missed out on Tokyo 2020 (delayed until in 2021) after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma and having to take a period out from the game. 

“Obviously missing out on the last Olympics, I think this would just be kind of a cherry on the top to qualify. So we're just focused on the game and hoping that we can get a result.”

The Ferns have reached the final with a much changed squad to their previous Olympic campaign with only nine players who were selected for Tokyo 2020 playing in this tournament.


MATCH DETAILS

Ford Football Ferns vs Solomon Islands
OFC Women’s Olympic Football Tournament – Final
19 February 2024 KO 5pm [NZT]
FFS Football Stadium, Apia, Samoa           


Watch live and free on FIFA+


Article added: Monday 19 February 2024