AUCKLAND – A disappointing 2-4 loss to Russia on Sunday morning in Nicosia has ended the Football Ferns’ hopes of making the final of the Cyprus Women’s Cup.

Midfielder Ria Percival scored after just 90 seconds but a series of defensive lapses turned the flying start into a 1-3 halftime deficit, while wasteful finishing in an improved second half meant Amber Hearn’s 60th minute penalty was no more than consolation.

New Zealand’s well-worked opener – Hearn flicked Abby Erceg’s diagonal pass into the path of Percival who calmly lobbed the advancing Russian keeper – should have been the boost the Ferns needed to storm to an upset but it only fuelled complacency.

“Being 1-0 up that early was almost a curse for the team,” said New Zealand coach John Herdman.

“You might say the Russians turned up the tempo a bit to make it difficult for us but there was almost as sigh of relief that we’d scored a goal. It was like we’d won the game after a minute and a half.

“It was a disappointing response to a great position and a lot of it comes down to basic errors. There’ll be some tough questions asked.”

Hearn’s penalty reduced the deficit to one with half an hour remaining, but a string of gilt-edged scoring opportunities somehow went begging before Russia finally caught New Zealand short at the back in the 84th minute to kill the game.

“After watching the second half I feel for the players at the back, because sure they made mistakes in the first half and it costs us the game but the players on attack are just as culpable for the performance. The build-up play was great but the finishing was woeful at times.”

The Football Ferns drop to the bottom of Group B with one point from Friday’s 1-1 draw against Canada, who now lead the standings after defeating the Netherlands 2-1.

With just the top team from each of the tournament’s two groups making the final, New Zealand must adjust its sights and aim to finish second in its pool by beating the Netherlands on Wednesday and playing off for third overall on the final day.

“We have to go for it. The Dutch are there for the taking after being beaten by Canada. What we’ve seen is that there’s no big gap between any of the teams in our group. It’s just who has the extra quality on the day.”

In Group A, joint leaders England and France drew 2-2 while South Africa upset Scotland 2-0 to move into third.

2009 Cyprus Women’s Cup

Nicosia, Cyprus

Sunday March 8

New Zealand: 2 (Ria Percival 2, Amber Hearn (pen) 60)

Russia: 4

Halftime: 1-3

New Zealand: Jenny BINDON (GK), Ali RILEY, Abby ERCEG, Rebecca SMITH, Anna GREEN (Marlies OOSTDAM 63), Hayley MOORWOOD (Captain), Ria PERCIVAL (Annalie LONGO 60), Kirsty YALLOP, Betsy HASSETT (Katie HOYLE 80), Amber HEARN (Sarah McLAUGHLIN 80), Rosie WHITE (Emma KETE 70)

Substitutes not used: Aroon CLANSEY (RGK), Kristy HILL.

Head Coach: John Herdman

Results:

Day 1:

England 6 South Africa 0

France 2 Scotland 0

New Zealand 1 Canada 1

Netherlands 2 Russia 1

Day 2:

England 2 France 2

South Africa 2 Scotland 0

New Zealand 2 Russia 4

Canada 2 Netherlands 1

New Zealand Schedule:

March 10 – New Zealand v the Netherlands

Paralimni (1am, Wed Mar 11, NZT)

March 12 – Final or placing playoff, time and opposition tbd.

Story and photo courtesy of NZF Media