AUCKLAND – New Zealand bowed out of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in heartbreaking circumstances after losing 2-1 to Denmark despite taking the lead on 13 minutes through Annalie Longo. The Danes dominated the early exchanges with Simone Boye and Amanda Hohol both going close to opening the scoring but it was New Zealand that took control of an enthralling contest.
New Zealand turned that edge into a goal when it took the lead after Rebecca Brown threaded a superb pass into Sarah McLaughlin who held off her marker to set up Longo who struck a superb right foot shot that curled away from Denmark goalkeeper Lene Gissel into the top right hand corner of the net.
The goal sparked scenes of celebration from the 11170 strong crowd and inspired the home side who nearly scored again minutes later when Denmark defender Louise Brix underhit a backpass that Sarah McLaughlin intercepted and rifled a 35 metre shot into the grateful arms of Gissel.
The aerial threat of New Zealand skipper Briony Fisher from set-pieces nearly paid dividends in the 25 minutes when a Campbell corner found Fisher free at Denmark’s back-post. Fisher’s header struck Denmark’s side-netting with Gissel a thankful onlooker.
Fisher was in the thick of the action again when she put in a crunching tackle on pacy Denmark midfielder Katrine Veje and earned herself a yellow card courtesy of referee Silvia Reyes.
The hosts were left cursing their luck seconds later when Rosie White’s powerful shot hit Gissel’s right hand upright before rebounding straight back into her arms. From Gissel’s throw out, Denmark hit New Zealand on the counter-attack and within twenty seconds had brought the scores level when a clever interchange of passes between Simone Boye and Pernille Harder resulted in a goal for Bent Eriksen’s team courtesy of Linette Andreasen on 29 minutes.
It was a hammer blow for the Young Ferns fans, stunned into silence, scarcely could they believe the sudden and cruel turn of events, as the small but vocal enclave of Denmark fans celebrated wildly.
After the break Denmark enjoyed a decent opportunity when Simone Boye set up Pernille Harder but the shot flew over Victoria Esson’s goal. The dangerous Katrine Veje took a foothold in the match down New Zealand’s left-hand side which had been vacated before the break by the injured and influential Caitlin Campbell.
Veje’s pace and direct running caused New Zealand constant problems with even fleet-footed opponents such as Hannah Wall and Nadia Pearl unable to match the flying Dane for sheer speed.
A superb example of Denmark’s pace was best summed up when they took the lead on 56 minutes. Britta Olsen picked up a loose ball just inside her own half before setting off on a scything run that left five New Zealand players in her wake. Olsen capped off her lung bursting run with a composed finish that gave Esson no chance.
For the last 25 minutes of the first-half New Zealand took almost total control of the match in a desperate mission to stay in the tournament. Annalie Longo, Hannah Wall and the precocious talent that is Rosie White, all shone in a stirring display of courage as Denmark dropped players into deeper areas to defend a lead that gives them a fighting chance of a quarter-final berth.
The introduction of Lauren Murray helped give New Zealand further impetus but the Young Ferns lacked the killer instinct and clinical finishing in front of goal required to keep their hopes alive. Denmark – restricted to counter-attacks – nearly grabbed a third goal in 85 minutes when substitute Anne Thirup Rudmose blasted what would have been a match winner goalwards only for Victoria Esson to deny her with a brilliant save to her left.
New Zealand threw players forward desperate for an equaliser that would take their campaign to a showdown with Colombia, but a forlorn goalmouth melee involving Rosie White, Briony Fisher, Lauren Murray and Jessica Rollings amounted to little more than a goal kick, heralding a sad end to a campaign that has both captured the imagination of football fans across the Oceania region as it has thrilled.
Denmark coach Bent Eriksen was relieved to secure three vital points and paid a compliment to the New Zealand team.
“New Zealand were as good as we were, but we had a bit more luck. It was an exciting game and, although the crowd will be disappointed, I think they can be proud of their team and they have seen some really good football.
We were lucky to win this match but now we are in a good position and will try to beat Canada to make sure we finish as no1. New Zealand is a very good team and all the teams in this group are evenly matched,” Eriksen said.
New Zealand coach Paul Temple was brave and dignified in the face of defeat and paid tribute to his players.
“I’m still a little bit shell-shocked and disappointed with the outcome of the game, but even though we are clouded with disappointed feelings, I thought we created a lot of chances, were very exciting and we dominated Denmark for large periods.
There is plenty to be pleased about in terms of the positives, but obviously right now all of our thinking is pretty negative just purely because of the result.
I’m really proud of the players who have just given so much, they’ve run into themselves into the floor, right to the very end. We just lacked one thing – putting the ball in the back of the net.”
Temple lamented the loss of Caitlin Campbell to injury in the first-half.
“Caitlin is a huge attacking weapon for us and provides solidity at the back. We went into the game with some ideas on how we would make substitutions to change the game and making a change just before halftime and taking off a defender wasn’t part of them. It was a big blow.”
“Its heartbreaking for them because they’ve given so much to be a success and be a different New Zealand team to win games and go on to the next stage. And it’s a realisation now that goal isn’t achievable. Right now they’re inconsolable," Temple said.
The disconsolate New Zealand coach said although spirits were low he gave assurances the team would be prepared and ready to face Colombia in Wellington.
"It’s going to be handy, I think, to move on from Auckland now – the girls are looking forward to it, particularly Hannah (Wall) and Yumi (Nguyen), we’ve been talking about it, fresh scenery, new surroundings, will be great for us.
We’ll go into that game aiming to be the first team to win at a FIFA (Women’s) World Cup, that’s still achievable. Auckland has been awesome in coming out to support and I’m sure Wellington will too, and we need to put on a show for them," Temple said.
Denmark will face Canada in their final Group A match in Hamilton while New Zealand meet South American champions Colombia at Wellington Stadium. Both matches take place on Tuesday 4 November kick-off 19h00 (New Zealand time).
FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup – New Zealand 2008
New Zealand (1) 1 (10. Annalie LONGO 13’)
Denmark (1) 2 (13. Linette ANDREASEN 29’, 9. Britta OLSEN 56’)
North Harbour Stadium
Auckland
New Zealand
Saturday 1 November 2008
Kick-off: 16h00
Attendance: 11170.
NZL: 15. Victoria ESSON [gk]; 3. Rebecca BROWN (19. Lauren MURRAY 75’), 5. Briony FISHER ©, 6. Bridgette ARMSTRONG, 7. Caitlin CAMPBELL (21. Yumi NGUYEN 45’+2), 8. Sarah McLAUGHLIN, 9. Hannah WALL, 10. Annalie LONGO, 11. Ros
ie WHITE, 12. Claudia CRASBORN (17. Jessica ROLLINGS 55’), 13. Nadia PEARL.
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Charlotte WOOD [rgk], 2. Anna FULLERTON, 4. Leah GALLIE, 14. Katie BOWEN, 16. Megan SHEA, 18. Lauren MATHIS, 20. Danielle McFADYEN [rgk].
Yellow cards: 5. Briony FISHER 28’.
Red cards: None.
Coach: Paul TEMPLE (ENG)
DEN: 1. lene GISSEL [gk]; 2. Line OSTERGAARD, 3. Line SUGVARDSEN JENSEN ©, 5. Simone BOYE (17. Anne THIRUP RUDMOSE 63’), 6. Louise BRIX, 7. Sofie JUNGE, 8. Katrine VEJE, 9. Britta OLSEN, 10. Amanda HOHOL (18. Michelle MADSEN 68’), 12. Pernille HARDER (14. Larke LILLELUND MICHAELSON 90’), 13. Linette ANDREASEN.
Substitutes Not Used: 4. Pernille RAMLOV, 11. Liv HAVGAARD NYHEGN, 16. Esther DAM SIMONSEN [rgk], 19. Camilla CHRISTENSEN, 20. Nina FRAUSING PEDERSEN, 21. Tanja INGEMAN [rgk].
Yellow cards: None.
Red cards: None.
Coach: Bryan ROSENFELD (CAN)
Referee: Silvia REYES (PER)
Assistant Referee 1: Maria BARBOSA (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Emperatiz AYALA (SLV)
4th official: Sung Mi CHA (KOR)
Group A
Standings – 01.11.08
| PL |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
PTS |
GD |
||
| 1. |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
+1 |
|
| 2. |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
+1 |
|
| 3. |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
| 4. |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
-2 |
|