'Lit a fire in our bellies': New Zealand soccer team motivated by Canada drone scandal

The motivation to upset the reigning Olympic women's soccer champions was already high for New Zealand forward Indiah-Page Riley and her teammates.

A Canada Soccer drone scandal on the eve of the tournament opener has only heightened that desire.

"I think this kind of lit a fire in our bellies," Riley said from Saint-Etienne, France.

The lead-up to Thursday's game between eighth-ranked Canada and 28th-ranked New Zealand at the Paris Olympics has been dominated by off-field developments.

New Zealand's Olympic Committee complained to the International Olympic Committee's integrity unit after it said drones were flown over a pair of pre-tournament practice sessions.

On Wednesday, the Canadian Olympic Committee said Canadian assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joseph Lombardi were "sent home immediately" and that it had accepted the decision of head coach Bev Priestman to remove herself from coaching the opening match.

FIFA, the sport's governing body, said its disciplinary committee has opened proceedings against all three individuals and Canada Soccer. The domestic federation is also undergoing an external review, and the COC said it may take further action if necessary.

"Whether it's enough or not, I think that the integrity of the result and the game is undermined by this," said New Zealand interim head coach Michael Mayne. "In my opinion, if you're replacing the coach, that's one thing. But does that change the game plan going in?"

"They ultimately have had a chance to look at our footage."

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Priestman said she was "highly disappointed" to learn about the use of drones and added that "by no means did I direct the individuals."

She volunteered to