⏳ Final hours! Save up to 60% OFF InvestingProCLAIM SALE

Jet-lagged Stratford makes quick dash to World Cup

Published 06/13/2019, 02:04 AM
Updated 06/13/2019, 02:05 AM
Jet-lagged Stratford makes quick dash to World Cup

(Reuters) - New Zealand defender Nicole Stratford had a rushed introduction to the women's World Cup having received an SOS call to join the squad in France, just two days after she returned home from holiday in Britain.

The 30-year-old was rushed into Tom Sermanni's squad after Meikayla Moore was ruled out of the tournament after rupturing her Achilles' tendon in their final preparations ahead of their opener against the Netherlands in Le Havre.

"It's funny because two days prior I had just flown back from the UK," she told New Zealand's Stuff Media on Thursday of her call up.

"I was actually over here watching a couple of the matches and so I was jet lagged and asleep when Tom called.

"I had just gone for a couple of weeks for a holiday because my partner is British so we just timed it so we would watch a couple of matches against England and Wales."

After realizing that she would need to turn straight back around, Stratford first had to negotiate some more time off from her job as a police officer in Auckland.

"I pretty much just gave my sergeant a call as soon as I found out and I was on a plane not too much later," she added. "It was pretty smooth sailing."

Her dash to France led to her being on the bench for the match against the Netherlands, who won the game 1-0 with a 92nd-minute goal from Jill Roord.

"It was an unreal experience being involved and being on the bench," she said as the team prepared for their second Group E game against Canada in Grenoble on Saturday.

"I didn't think I would be in any position close to this even in a year's time. You set goals for yourself but you sort of have to wait for things to fall your way a bit.

"But I'm excited for the opportunity and feel really fortunate to take it up."

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.