AUCKAND – A goal from Betsy Hassett on her U-20 debut could not save New Zealand from a 1-2 defeat to Chile in the 4-Nations U-20 women’s football tournament in Santiago on Wednesday (NZT).
The Junior Football Ferns conceded contentious penalties in the 32nd and 55th minutes but Hassett – who already has two senior caps to her name – was on hand to cut the deficit just after the hour mark when the Chilean keeper could only parry Renee Leota’s firm cross into the midfielder’s path.
With New Zealand drawn to play the hosts when they return to Chile for November’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, head coach John Herdman was mindful of not showing too much of his hand, but says he took a big lesson from a game against a side that had previously beaten both England and France.
“I think what we learned is that Chile is one team we have to take three points off,” Herdman said.
“If Chile have been working together for two years and played the amount of games they have, it puts in a great standing.”
“It’s our first game together internationally as a group tonight so the only way is up for us. I’m not sure how much Chile can improve. I’m pretty happy with what we’ve put out there tonight, just disappointed with the result.”
Herdman said he was reluctant to comment specifically on the two penalty decisions or Merissa Smith’s 80th minute penalty claim that was turned down, but did praise his side’s response to the setbacks.
“I would say that you wouldn’t see that result in a World Cup. We knew before the game that you’re going to get some tough calls, and I think our players coped pretty well with it.
“Certainly, everyone was shaking their head with the first penalty and I guess it could’ve mentally rocked the team but they held it together pretty well and kept trying to play some football.
“To be fair, when the second one went in we thought it was going to be a long night but we quickly got ourselves back into the game, which was outstanding.”
Herdman had particularly high praise for three of his younger players including 18-year-old Hassett, 17-year-old Hannah Wall, and 15-year-old Rosie White.
“What I was happy with tonight was some of the free-flowing football, some real technical quality from some of these young players.
“It’s been really refreshing to stand back and watch some exciting passages of play. some good one-on-one work from Hannah Wall and Rosie White, and to see Betsy Hassett leading things and beating players in midfield.”
On Friday, New Zealand face Canada – who share the tournament lead following a 2-1 win over Mexico – with Herdman planning to continue to experiment with combinations and formations.
“This tournament is a mix of trying to get a win and at the same time make sure we develop as a team and give players opportunity to play. A couple of players will get an opportunity to play and again we’ll play around with the system to see if we can get the right chemistry.”
Story and photograph courtesy New Zealand Football Media
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4 Nations II Tournament (U-20 Women)
Santiago, Chile
New Zealand 1 Chile 2
Wednesday 17 2008
Junior Football Ferns: Charlotte Wood (GK), Ria Percival, Abby Erceg, Elizabeth Milne (Briony Fisher 46), Anna Green, Katie Hoyle (Grace Vincent 55), Betsy Hassett, Annalie Longo (Caitlin Campbell 46), Hannah Wall, Renee Leota, Rosie White (Merissa Smith 46).
Substitutes not used: Victoria Esson (RGK), Bridget Armstrong, Sarah McLaughlin.
Head Coach: John Herdman
Remaining games
September 19, 9am (NZT)
New Zealand v Canada
September 21, 9am (NZT)
New Zealand v Mexico