AUCKLAND – The Football Ferns upset the Netherlands 2-0 in Paralimni, Cyprus on Wednesday morning to claim their biggest scalp in twenty years and ensure a top-four finish at the Cyprus Women’s Cup.
The win over the world number 17 lifted New Zealand to second place in Group B behind Canada and booked a playoff for third overall against France on Friday morning (NZT).
Canada – who beat Russia 2-0 – will meet England in Friday’s final.
A penalty to Amber Hearn and a powerful free-kick from Kirsty Yallop – both in the second half – fired the Ferns to their first victory over a top 20 side since a 1-0 win over Canada in 1987.
“It’s a watershed moment for this team,” said head coach John Herdman.
“To scalp a second-tier team for the first time is huge for us. Once you’ve got that experience you can always draw on it.”
After a scoreless first half, New Zealand turned with the strong wind at their backs, and stepped up a gear in what captain Hayley Moorwood described as their most confident and clinical performance to date.
“It came down to belief today,” said Moorwood.
“We went to a different level today and absolutely played them off the park. To dominate a side like the Netherlands and come away with a win we deserved is pretty special.”
Neat interplay in midfield unlocked the Dutch defence for striker Emma Kete who was brought down in the box to win a 50th minute penalty.
Hearn’s successful first spot-kick was disallowed for encroachment into the box by a team mate but her blasted re-take also found the back of the net to put the Ferns in front.
New Zealand looked comfortable with their lead but there still would have been some relief when Yallop laced a 75th minute free-kick over the Dutch wall and past the keeper to provide some breathing room.
The Ferns will need to produce a similar performance against world number eight France on Friday morning to claim third place, but goal scorer Amber Hearn said there was plenty of belief in the camp.
“If we can play like we did today, we’re confident against any side.”
Story courtesy of NZF Media
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2009 Cyprus Women’s Cup
Paralimni, Cyprus
Wednesday March 11
New Zealand: 2 (Amber Hearn 50-pen, Kirsty Yallop 75)
Netherlands: 0
Halftime: 0-0
New Zealand: Jenny BINDON (GK), Ali RILEY, Abby ERCEG, Rebecca SMITH, Anna GREEN, Hayley MOORWOOD (Captain), Ria PERCIVAL (Katie HOYLE 70), Kirsty YALLOP, Betsy HASSETT, Amber HEARN, Emma KETE (Rosie WHITE 85)
Substitutes not used: Aroon CLANSEY (RGK), Kristy HILL, Marlies OOSTDAM, Annalie LONGO, Sarah McLAUGHLIN.
Head Coach: John Herdman
Results
Match Day 1:
England 6 South Africa 0
France 2 Scotland 0
New Zealand 1 Canada 1
Netherlands 2 Russia 1
Match Day 2:
England 2 France 2
South Africa 2 Scotland 0
New Zealand 2 Russia 4
Canada 2 Netherlands 1
Match Day 3:
England 3 Scotland 0
France 3 South Africa 2
New Zealand 2 Netherlands 0
Canada 2 Russia 0
Standings
|
Group A |
P |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
PTS |
| England |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
11 |
2 |
9 |
7 |
| France |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
7 |
4 |
3 |
7 |
| South Africa |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
4 |
9 |
-5 |
3 |
| Scotland |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
7 |
-7 |
0 |
| Group B |
P |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
PTS |
| Canada |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
7 |
| New Zealand |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
5 |
0 |
4 |
| Russia |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
5 |
6 |
-1 |
3 |
| Netherlands |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
-2 |
3 |
New Zealand Schedule
Playoff for third place
March 13 (1am NZT)
New Zealand v France
Nicosia