Still eligible to participate at U-17 age group level and now skipper of the Young Football Ferns for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica, Puketapu is a young woman with the world at her feet.
“I feel very honoured to be skipper – it’s so cool representing your country in U-17 and U-20 women’s football.” Puketapu says.
Playing for two age-group sides has benefitted Puketapu’s development and there’s no doubt she’s gained more maturity and experience as a result.
“Costa Rica is an amazing chance and we have a top squad in both U-20 and U-17 levels. I’m looking forward to using what I learned in the U-20 squad at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup,” Puketapu says.
Having already played at an U-17 Women’s World Cup two years ago in Azerbaijan, Puketapu says her previous international experience has improved her as a player she has acquired a new level since.
“I’m physically stronger, mentally stronger, all the characteristics that an experience like a World Cup can give you. That experience has brought me a lot,” Puketapu says.
Coach Jitka Klimkova speaks highly of Puketapu and her performances at the OFC U-20 Women’s Championship.
“Martine is a good striker, always in good positions on the pitch and she scored three good goals in the first game of the OFC Women’s U-20 championship – it is always great to have this kind of player in a team,” says Klimkova.
“Her experience at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Azerbaijan means that she’s our captain and gives us leadership both on and off the field,” Klimkova added.
Klimkova has worked with the New Zealand U-17 women’s team since July last year and during this period she has also worked with the U-20’s, making her ideally placed to oversee Puketapu’s development.
Klimkova predicts a bright future for Puketapu in the women’s game.
“I can imagine her on the international scene with the national team as she builds experiences with the U-17 side. I’m sure she will develop into a much more mature player and become even more dangerous for her opponents, “she says.
With only a few days left before the big kick-off against Paraguay in Costa Rica, Klimkova is still working on the team’s preparations.
“For now we focus on the players to move the ball much quicker because at international level it’s a different intensity.
“We know we have to be a lot tougher in one-on-one situations and we have to be a lot more competitive. These kind of topics are in front of us at present,” Klimkova explained.
New Zealand U-17 begins the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup on 16 March when they face Paraguay at the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá in Tibas.
They face Spain three days later at the same venue before moving on to San José and their final match with Japan on 23 March.