The side narrowly missed out losing 2-1 in the opening match, which was a closed session, before holding the Australian U-17 squad to a 0-0 draw in the second match.
They went in to the final match at AIS Athletics Stadium in Canberra on Saturday hoping to level the series against a strong Australian side but the locals had other plans.
Australia came out firing on all cylinders breaking the deadlock early through Afrikah Mcgladrigan who found the back of the net in the ninth minute to put the visitors on the back foot.
A demanding week of training and games clearly caught up with coach Jitka Klimkova’s young side as Australia dominated play, particularly in midfield where Sunny Franco, Ayesha Norrie and Jessica Waterhouse impressed. The second goal came from Franco as she took advantage of a quick counter attack to score the first of her two goals.
The third goal came from Angela Beard who brought down a cross before slotting the ball home just ahead of half-time.
Hopes of a Kiwi comeback were stifled almost immediately after the break as Franco completed her brace on 50 minutes. Ten minutes later Alex Chidiac finished in style making it five before Waterhouse completed the scoring in injury time to take Australia’s tally to six.
The Young Football Ferns’ next gathering will be a training camp in September. Klimkova will also be looking to put together a strong team to participate in the ASB National Women’s League, which kicks off in October, as part of their preparations for the OFC U-17 Women’s Championship scheduled for January 2014.
For more on New Zealand Football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

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