FOOTBALL FERNS TO PLAY OLYMPICS WARM-UP MATCHES AGAINST JAPAN IN SPAIN

The Football Ferns have been confirmed to play two international friendlies against Japan in Spain, as they continue to build towards the Paris Olympics.

New Zealand takes on the World Cup quarter-finalists in Murcia on June 1 (NZ time) and June 4 at Estadio Nueva Condomina.

The 28th-ranked Ferns enter the series against the No.7-ranked Japanese on a seven-match unbeaten streak, after winning February’s OFC tournament in Samoa and the two-game series against Thailand in Christchurch.

"We know at the Olympics we will be facing some really top sides, so it is important to build up to it with games against similarly ranked opponents," said coach Jitka Klimkova.

"Japan were impressive at the FIFA Women's World Cup and will provide a real challenge for us with a different playing style than we have come up against in recent fixtures.

"These games are also a great opportunity for some of the newer players who have come into the squad to test themselves against a really top side as we continue to build towards the Olympics and beyond."

New Zealand has been drawn in Group A for the Paris Games alongside reigning Tokyo 2020 gold medallists Canada, Colombia and hosts France.

2024-05-07T03:43:07Z dg43tfdfdgfd