Hannah Kraakman starred for Futsal Ferns as they thrashed Fiji to qualify for the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup 2025.
New Zealand have qualified for the first FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup in Philippines next year. Futsal Ferns achieved the feat by defeating Fiji 7-1 in the final of the inaugural OFC Futsal Women’s Nations Cup.
New Zealand are now the first team to join Philippines – the hosts of the 2025 Women’s Futsal World Cup – at next year’s event. They won the OFC Women’s Futsal title in Honiara, Soloman Islands to secure their berth at the global finals next year.
In the final, Hannah Kraakman was the show stealer with her impactful performance. She was the one who broke the deadlock and continuously tormented the opponents throughout the game.
Koleta Likuculacula scored the only goal for Fiji in the final to become the top markswoman in the tournament ahead of Jemma Catherwood and Hannah Kraakman. Kraakman was the Golden Ball winner at the OFC Futsal Women’s Nations Cup 2024 and now dreams of facing the Brazilian women Futsal star Amandinha at Philippines 2025.
The Futsal Ferns finished with 36 goals in the tournament and only conceded three goals throughout the tournament.
New Zealand men’s futsal team is also preparing for the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024. The tournament is set to kick off next month in Uzbekistan. It will be the debut world event for New Zealand. They’ll be participating in the Continental Futsal Championship in Thailand, starting August 31 to prepare for the mega event next month.