More than 50,000 home supporters are expected to get behind hosts France when they take on New Zealand in their final group game at the Summer Olympics.
But New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley says his players will relish the big game atmosphere at the Stade de Marseille.
“I think footballers like playing in big games, and they like big crowds. So that’s the dream. That’s why you play football, to try and play in these big games. So it’s not something to be scared of,” he said in his pre-game interview.
Main photo: Darren Bazeley … ‘A big challenge but one that we’re not scared of.’
The match is do-or-die stuff for the OlyWhites as they not only need to beat France, but they need to to better the United States’ result against Guinea in the other group match. Both Wednesday games kick off at 5am (NZT).
“If people have a little bit of nerves, that’s fine. But once it kicks off, it’s 11 v 11, same size football pitch and the same rules,” Bazeley said.
“I can’t say it’s just another game because it’s a big game, but it’s definitely one that we should be excited about playing in.”
OlyWhites striker Ben Waine was equally upbeat, telling FIFA.com: “It was a tough result against USA, but we’re looking forward to the France game and playing in front of a really big crowd. It’s a do-or-die game. Everything rides on it. We have to be fearless and just go for it.”
Some commentators have speculated that France might rest a few players, as they lead the group and even if lost and the United States beat Guinea, chances are the hosts would go through on goal difference.
“Potentially, they may look to rest some of their players, but whatever team they put out there, they’re a squad full of players that play professionally in pretty good clubs here in France and around Europe,” Bazeley said.
“We know most of them, so whichever team they line up with, I’ve got a lot of information around them, and it’s going to be a big challenge but one that we’re not scared of.”
Meanwhile, France head coach Thierry Henry told FIFA.com: “It’s a comfortable situation to be in when you have six points. But if we want to go all the way, we have to kill in both areas and not let the opponent breathe. If you want to win a title, you have to learn to kill [the game].”
How they can qualify
Here’s what the teams need to achieve to go through to the semi-finals:
- New Zealand must better the United States’ result to progress. If they were to both win, the group would be decided on goal difference.
- France will qualify with a victory or a draw. Even a defeat could see them through, unless the United States also beat Guinea, in which case the three teams on six points would need to be separated by goal difference.
- United States can go through with a win or draw, provided France are not beaten by New Zealand.
- Guinea can only progress to the quarter-finals by defeating the United States by more than one goal, and hoping France also beat New Zealand.
Fixtures
Games to be played on Wednesday July 31, 2024 (NZT)
New Zealand v France
Stade de Marseille, Marseille, 5am (NZT)
United States v Guinea
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne, 5am (NZT)
The men’s football tournament at the Olympics
Men’s football at the Olympics is restricted to under-23 players (born on or after January 1, 2000), though each team can select up to three overage players.
Match venues for the tournament are Paris, Bordeaux, Décines-Charpieu (near Lyon), Marseille, Nantes, Nice and Saint-Étienne.
This story was first published on July 30, 2024.
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