NEW ZEALAND – FOOTBALL FERNS OPEN CYPRUS CUP WITH DRAW

Betsy Hassett equalised for New Zealand in the 34th minute and shone at the attacking tip of midfield diamond as the Football Ferns responded to Christina Julien’s early 10th minute strike with sustained pressure and waves of late attacks to push for a rare win over the world number 11.

While pleased with his side’s performance against more fancied opposition, New Zealand coach John Herdman said the final score was ultimately disappointing.

“If you’d looked in the past, we would’ve taken a draw against Canada, just the disappointing thing is that this team are looking to win football matches. We’re learning how to win, but it still eludes us,” Herdman said.

“I think we controlled possession for long periods, and Canada struggled to get out of their own half at times. We defended very high and tried to take advantage of what you’d describe as ‘overplaying’ by Canada.

“We piled a lot of pressure on but with little reward. Right up to the 92nd minute it was backs to the wall stuff for them.

“What was really pleasing today was that one of our key players, Betsy Hassett, ran the show today. It was an absolutely standout performance.”

Elsewhere in Group B, the Netherlands beat Russia 2-1 to top the standings, while in Group A England thrashed South Africa 6-0 and France beat Scotland 2-0. New Zealand face Russia on Sunday morning before meeting the Netherlands on Wednesday.

Despite early New Zealand pressure, Canada drew first blood through Julien who netted through the legs of Jenny Bindon from the tightest of angles.

New Zealand’s reply came ten minute before halftime when fullback Ali Riley broke down the right flank before linking with Rosie White. The teenage striker then cut a precision pass into the path of Hassett who buried her shot from 12 yards out.

The Ferns created plenty of chances after halftime with White going one-on-one with the Canadian keeper Karina LeBlanc shortly after the hour mark, while substitutes Annalie Longo and Sarah McLaughlin each hit the cross bar shortly after entering the game.

Emma Kete almost found an injury-time winner but LeBlanc produced a sharp close-range save to protect Canada’s share of the points.

For Canada, Christine Sinclair fired over the bar from distance with just over ten minutes remaining but the prolific striker – who had scored five goals in her last four matches against the Ferns – was largely subdued by centre backs Rebecca Smith and Abby Erceg, along with defensive midfielder Hayley Moorwood.

The Football Ferns now turn their attention to Sunday morning’s clash with Russia where an upset win would keep alive New Zealand’s chances of making the March 12 final.

“It’s a tough turnaround so you’ve only got one day to prepare but we’ll review the footage of our match and go from there,” Herdman said.

“We’ve got some options now. The beauty is we can slip into 4-4-2 if we want to change things up, and move Riley into a more out-and-out winger, or we might persist with the diamond.

“We want to develop some tactical flexibility, and be able to slip in and out of different formations, ideally within games if necessary, to get the best out of certain players.

The Russian match also offers the chance of revenge for eight New Zealand players who lost 2-3 to Russia in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2006, and who will now line-up against many of the same opposing players when the senior sides clash.

Halftime: 1-1

New Zealand: Jenny BINDON (GK), Ali RILEY, Abby ERCEG, Rebecca SMITH, Anna GREEN (Marlies OOSTDAM 68), Hayley MOORWOOD (Captain / Katie HOYLE 79), Ria PERCIVAL (Annalie LONGO 70), Kirsty YALLOP, Betsy HASSETT, Amber HEARN (Sarah McLAUGHLIN 79), Rosie WHITE (Emma KETE 70)

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

Head Coach: John Herdman

Results:

Group A:

England 6 South Africa 0

France 2 Scotland 0

Group B:

New Zealand 1 Canada 1

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