AUCKLAND – The Football Ferns have lost 2-0 to Australia in the first match of a three-game trans-Tasman series on the Sunshine Coast on Saturday night.
An uncharacteristic mistake from goalkeeper Jenny Bindon gifted the Matildas the lead in the 35th minute and Joanne Burgess sealed the victory with a superb long-range effort on the hour.
After an evenly contested first half-hour in which neither team could get the upper hand, Australia were gifted the lead in the easiest of fashion.
Under little pressure, the normally unflappable Bindon misdirected a pass straight into the path of a grateful Sarah Walsh who slotted home from the edge of the 18 yard box.
Despite footing it for long periods with an Australian side featuring the bulk of their World Cup stars New Zealand coach John Herdman was disappointed to again see a strong start ultimately come to nothing.
Story courtesy NZF Media
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