Palisadian Ali Riley Lives a Dream in New Zealand’s Olympic Soccer Debut
Competing in the Olympics is every athlete’s dream and lifelong Palisadian Ali Riley made her dream a reality this month in Beijing. The 20-year-old soccer sensation started at forward for New Zealand’s women’s national team, the Football Ferns, who qualified for the Games for the first time in the country’s history. The Ferns went 0-2-1 in their group and failed to advance out of pool play but Riley returned home from China last Thursday with memories that will last a lifetime. She shared some of her experiences on and off the field with Palisadian-Post Sports Editor Steve Galluzzo: PP: How were you chosen to play for New Zealand? AR: My dad was born in Christchurch on the South Island, so I have dual citizenship. I was invited to play for their Under-20 team at the World Championships in Russia and things went from there. I was so happy when I was told I had made the Olympic roster. It’s truly an honor to be selected for the national team. PP: What were your expectations going into the Olympics? AR: I knew it would be tough to medal because all the teams are so strong. The biggest disappointment was our first game against Japan. We needed to win and we were leading 2-0 but they came back to tie us. They just lost in the semifinals so obviously they’re an awesome team. PP: Did you participate in the Opening Ceremonies? AR: Unfortunately no. Soccer was the first sport to start and we had a game the day before that we had to prepare for, but they had a big TV in the lobby of our hotel and we watched some of it from there. We wore skirts and blazers and shirts with silver ferns on them. PP: It must make you proud to know you assisted on the team’s first-ever goal in the Olympics. Can you describe the play? AR: Actually, I’m more proud that we were the first team to qualify. As for the goal, someone played me a great ball, I beat my defender on the right wing and crossed it on the ground to Kirsty Yallop. It’s awesome that she scored because she’s a native Kiwi. PP: What was it like playing that last game against the United States? AR: To be honest it wasn’t that big a deal, other than the fact that I know a lot of their players. Their center back Rachel Buehler is one of my best friends. She just graduated from Stanford. And their backup goalie [Nicole Barnhart] was my volunteer coach for two seasons. It was a sad way for us to end the tournament–they scored in the first minute and seized the momentum right away. But I have no regrets. We really bonded and I hope to be back in 2012 in London. Once you play for one country you can’t play for another, but even if I could I wouldn’t want to. New Zealand is my team. PP: Besides the games themselves, what was your biggest thrill? AR: I’d have to say meeting the [New Zealand] men’s team. They played in Shengyang their first two games and we went to watch the first half of their game against Brazil. They gave us an amazing “haka,” which is a spiritual chant that the All Blacks [rugby] team used to dance to. Traditionally, it’s a challenge to enemies and a welcome to friends. PP: How is playing in the Olympics different than playing in the PAC-10? AR: For me, the biggest difference is that I’ll be playing a totally new system. In the Olympics we played a 4-4-2 formation and I was one of the forwards whereas Stanford uses a 4-4-3. The college level is so high, I know that now being a junior. I gave my all for New Zealand but it’s equally important to play my best for Stanford. PP: Did you get a chance to mingle with the other athletes in the Village? AR: Yes, a little bit. One thing that was cool is we got to meet the Brazilian men’s team. They were at the same hotel so we went tearing down to their floor. They were very friendly, especially Ronaldinho, Anderson and Marcelo. We got pictures with them and they signed one of my jerseys. PP: How does it feel to finally be back home in Pacific Palisades? AR: Besides the jet lag it’s been nice. I’ve been gone since June 10. We did a lot of traveling even before the Olympics… South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, China, Singapore, then back to China. In fact, I left Stanford early and had to take my last final while I was in South Korea for the Peace Queen Cup. The funny thing is I won’t be home long. I head back up to school Thursday and we have our first game Sunday against Pacific. PP: What did you think of the Pali Blues winning the W-League championship right before the Olympics? AR: Unfortunately, I didn’t get to watch any of their games but it’s great that we have such a strong women’s team in the Palisades. I can’t wait to see how the new pro league turns out.
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