Football Ferns 'nowhere near' the required level in loss to Venezuela, coach says

While Annalie Longo has signed off as Wellington Phoenix captain she played for the Football Ferns in this morning's 3-1 loss to Venezuela.
Photo:
Photosport
Football Ferns coach Michael Mayne isn't ruling out benching his starting players for the next international match after a comprehensive 3-1 loss to Venezuela in Spain.
The Ferns were behind 2-1 at halftime on Sunday morning in the first of two games against the South Americans, with Venezuela sealing the result in the 86th minute with their third strike.
"There are some questions for me to answer about some individual performances and how they help the team," Mayne said.
"There are some pretty motivated players and hungry players who want to have an impact in this next game.
"We need to learn very quickly and the team that takes the field on Wednesday, we need to make sure that we react very positively in that game and look for the result that we need."
Having been named full-time coach just last week, Mayne admits they weren't at their best, with a host of problems in defence.
"To concede three goals like we did, all very similar goals, we were nowhere near the level we needed to be at in and around our box," Mayne said.
Mayne is settling in after his appointment to lead the team for the Women's World Cup 2027 cycle.
Looking ahead to the second game, Mayne stressed the importance of learning quickly and bouncing back.
"We're a senior international team and need to perform despite being early in the cycle," Mayne said.
"I felt we were one or two touches away from really opening them up.
"I don't think it was all doom and gloom but we're working on a new system.
"The way we tried to press, and that's where our goal came from, worked really well."
Katie Kitching equalised for the Ferns after Venezuela opened the scoring in the 25th minute through Deyna Castellanos.
The South Americans responded quickly, regaining the lead just before halftime with Mariana Romero finishing an attack down the right-hand side, assisted by Gabriela García.
Despite the positive momentum, Venezuela extended their lead in the 86th minute with a long-range strike from Malanie Chirinos.
Ferns midfielder Betsy Hassett marked a special milestone as she played again at the international level for the first time since giving birth to a daughter last September.
The 34-year-old campaigner initially returned to her club in Iceland just months after becoming a mother.
The Football Ferns will take on Venezuela again early on Wednesday morning.
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