Proud captain Aneka Mittendorff talks about New Zealand's history

It was when New Zealand Premier Jacinda Ardern sent a personalized message of good luck that the magnitude of the team's achievements impressed Aneka Mittendorff.

"Everyone was so shocked, it was really great, I thought it included what New Zealand was, it's a country that supports," she said.

Although the players fell on Estadio Charrua's field after a 2-0 defeat to Spain in the semi-finals of the FIFA Women's Under-17 World Cup, the captain Young Football Ferns left the stadium with a smile. on his face.

She had just rubbed shoulders with Spain, champion of Europe, for 90 minutes and was incredibly proud to create the history of her country.

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New Zealand beat Finland and Uruguay to reach the knockout stage for the first time and managed to thwart Japan during a penalty shoot-out to qualify for the semi-finals. with Spain.

"The fact that we've been successful so far is so surreal," said Mittendorff. "Making the semifinals and creating a story for our country is just amazing.

"It was not our day today, but that's how football happens, I'm so proud of girls that we've been going for 90 years."

Spain scored goals with Claudia Pina in the 39th minute and Irene Lopez in the 47th minute. New Zealand's best chance was coming when Macey Fraser hit the long-range crossbar.

Despite the loss of the match, the trip is not over yet for New Zealand. Mittendorff said they would think about the defeat at the hotel before focusing on third place against Canada, who had lost 1-0 to Mexico in the semi-finals on Sunday morning (NZT).

"Getting a medal would be surreal, especially at a World Cup.It may never come back, so I think we will definitely put our best team apart.

"We are going to think about the game tonight, recover well, get a good night's sleep and get out of there."