Substitute Sarah Gregorius netted New Zealand’s only goal 15 minutes from time when she latched on to an Anna Green cross but by that stage the Ferns were already trailing to three first-half Dutch goals and the Oranje added a fourth in the 85th minute for good measure.
A rasping shot from outside the box opened the scoring for the Netherlands in the 22nd minute and errors from the normally sound defensive pairing of Rebecca Smith and Abby Erceg contributed to further goalls in the 25th and 44th minutes when possession was given away to opposition forwards in sight of New Zealand’s goal.
A disappointing first half was compounded by an early ankle injury to fullback Hannah Wall, who now looks to be out for the tournament, while goalkeeper Jenny Bindon, who injured a knee in training during the week and was replaced by Aroon Clansey in today’s line-up, remains doubtful for New Zealand’s next game on Saturday morning.
A change of tactics worked well for the Ferns in the second half with substitute Annalie Longo giving the New Zealand attack more edge from an advanced midfield role.
More chances followed, including a strong penalty claim from an impressive Ali Riley, before fellow standouts Green and Gregorius eventually combined for the goal.
A promising debut for Tauranga teenager Olivia Chance was another highlight for the Football Ferns as coach John Herdman tests new personnel and combinations ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in June.
“The tour is an opportunity to introduce new players and give everyone some time on the pitch while not giving anything away tactically to World Cup opposition who are in town,” Herdman says.
“It was a very slow start. We tried different things tactically – we went out of our comfort zone and got punished but not punished in ways we thought we might. It was down to mistakes rather than people not being where they should be at the right times.”
In the day’s other matches, France defeated New Zealand’s next opponent Switzerland 2-0 while England and Mexico, both of whom the Ferns will meet at the World Cup, notched impressive results with England beating Italy 2-0 and Mexico holding Russia to a scoreless draw.
New Zealand play Switzerland in Larnaca on Saturday morning at 4am (New Zealand time).
2011 Cyprus Cup
Group B
New Zealand 1 (Sarah GREGORIUS 75’)
Netherlands 4 (22’, 25’, 44’, 85’)
Halftime: 0-3
GSP Stadium, Nicosia
New Zealand: Aroon CLANSEY (GK), Hannah WALL (Anna GREEN 20’), Rebecca SMITH, Abby ERCEG, Ria PERCIVAL, Hayley MOORWOOD (Captain / Betsy HASSETT 46’), Katie HOYLE (Annalie LONGO 65’), Olivia CHANCE (Kirsty YALLOP 65’), Ali RILEY, Amber HEARN (Hannah WILKINSON 65’), Emma KETE, (Sarah GREGORIUS 46’).
Substitutes not used: Jenny BINDON (RGK), Kristy HILL, Terri-Amber CARLSON, Rosie WHITE.
Coach: John HERDMAN
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
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