The Young Football Ferns, who won the right to represent Oceania by winning the OFC U-17 Women’s Championship earlier this year, went ahead in the 10th minute through Kate Loye but the South Americans hit back with a goal in each half to Ysaura Viso.
New Zealand dominated the opening exchanges of the Group C match with Loye taking advantage of a rebound in the penalty area to score from close range.
Venezuela initially struggled to recover from the setback but midway through the opening half Viso found space on the corner of the penalty area and fired in a cross-shot, which proved unstoppable for goalkeeper Chloe-May Geurts. Viso was soon at it again forcing a smart save from Geurts. ‘La Vinotinto’ were starting to play cohesively with captain Marialba Zambrano featuring prominently.
Viso continued to be a constant menace and she headed against the post just a minute after the break. New Zealand’s Olivia Chance created a number of openings with her left-flank promptings, while team-mate Tessa McPherson fired from close-range on 65 minutes but goalkeeper Maleike Pacheco made a crucial stop. The importance of the save amplified just two minutes later as Viso grabbed what proved to be the winner. The No9 collected the ball close to the penalty area before ridding herself of a defender and steering the ball home.
The heroine thereafter for the South Americans was at the other end of the field as Pacheco saved shots from Brittany Dudley Smith, Megan Lee and Chance as the unlucky Kiwis were unable to find an equaliser. The result meant Venezuela created a small slice of history in what was their first match at a FIFA women’s tournament.
The earlier Group C match played today saw Spain overpower Japan 4-1. New Zealand now meet Spain on Thursday, while in the latter match that same day Venezuela will tackle Japan.
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