Gregorius struck what proved to be the winner three minutes before halftime at the Tasos Marko Stadium in Paralimni as the New Zealand side took out the crossover playoff match for 11th/12th position against their 23rd ranked opponents.
After losing five of their six matches to open their 2014 campaign, and having not tasted victory since a 4-0 win over China secured the Valais Cup in September, Football Ferns coach Tony Readings said while it was nice to get a result, frustration still remains.
“It’s quite bittersweet because we have won the game and we have deserved to, so it’s nice to get a win but at the same time we’re disappointed that the margin wasn’t bigger,” Readings said.
“Today typified some of the issues we’ve faced this year in the final act in putting the ball in the back of the net. We should have won more games this year and by a bigger margin today.”
“This year has been really positive with a lot of the performances and we’ve definitely taken a step forward in lots of areas. But we need to be putting our chances away more because we are now being more effective in the attacking part of the pitch and creating more chances. But there’s no point creating them if you’re not taking them.”
The opportunity the Football Ferns did take on Wednesday fell to Gregorius, who notched her 18th goal for New Zealand and Readings underlined the contribution of the 50-cap striker.
“Gregors is a key part of our team on and off the pitch. She’s a popular member of the side and on the pitch she knits the team together nicely and we look really cohesive when she’s on the pitch.”
The next scheduled match for the Football Ferns is a clash with world number three Japan in Osaka on May 8, a match Readings says will provide a stern test of the required development in front of goal.
“We’ll cause Japan lots of problems but we won’t get as many chances against teams at that level,” Readings said.
“If we want to do really well at the World Cup and Olympics and strive towards that gold medal we’ve got to be more clinical because we may only get four or five quality chances.”
Cyprus Cup 2014 – 11/12th Playoff
New Zealand 1 (Sarah Gregorius 42’)
Finland 0
Halftime: 1-0
New Zealand: 1. Erin Nayler (GK), 4. Katie Hoyle, 5. Abby Erceg (capt), 6. Rebekah Stott, 10. Sarah Gregorius (20. Helen Collins 60′), 11. Kirsty Yallop, 12. Betsy Hassett (16. Annalie Longo 65′), 13. Rosie White, 15. Meikayla Moore, 17. Hannah Wilkinson, 18. Katie Bowen.
Substitutes not used: 3. CJ Bott, 9. Amber Hearn, 19. Evie Millynn, 23. Lily Alfeld (GK), 25. Stephanie Skilton, 26. Megan Lee
Information provided by Jeremy Ruane was used in this report
For more on New Zealand football go to www.nzfootball.co.nz

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