The USA showed why they start among the favourites to win the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, to be held in Japan from 19 August to 8 September, by racing to a 2-0 lead inside the first 20 minutes and leading 3-0 at halftime.
They were 4-0 ahead two minutes into the second spell but the Junior Football Ferns found their feet and belatedly matched the hosts until a breakaway fifth goal five minutes before fulltime.
New Zealand coach Aaron McFarland said his charges have responded well to the lesson they received.
“The players have quickly realised that’s where they need to be in order to get out of the group stages in Japan and then look at going beyond the quarter-finals,” McFarland said.
“The USA were a class act. They’ve been together for 14 or so internationals already, they were ruthless and they created all of those goals themselves, rather than feeding on any mistakes.
“We’ll take some positives out of the game, namely our distribution from the goalkeeper and the ability to recycle possession under pressure .We had the lion’s share of possession in the second half and that gives us options for being able to play different styles when we get to Japan.
“The biggest positive is the way the players are reacting to the defeat. There’s a real hunger to work hard and close the gap.”
The draw for the 16-nation FIFA Women’s World Cup will take place on June 4.
Junior Football Ferns USA tour
USA U-20: 5 (14‘, 18‘, 34‘, 47‘, 85‘)
New Zealand U-20: 0
Halftime: 3-0
New Zealand: Erin NAYLER (GK), Holly PATTERSON, Caitlin SMALLFIELD, Rebekah STOTT, Ashleigh WARD, Kate LOYE, Nadia PEARL (Katie ROOD 59’), Katie BOWEN (captain), Evie MILLYNN, Olivia CHANCE (Mary FRASER 77’), Hannah WILKINSON (Stephanie SKILTON 79’)
Substitutes not used: Corina BROWN (RGK), Tessa BERGER, Rachel HEAD, Emily COOPER, Tayla O’BRIEN
Coach: Aaron MCFARLAND
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand Football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

Share