(Photo credit Valerio Pennicino – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

 

New Zealand unable to hold early lead to secure a win against Olympic champions.

Despite a dream start, the New Zealand Women’s Olympic Football team hacve been beaten 2-1 by 2020 gold medal winners Canada in their opening match in Saint Etienne.

The Football Ferns preparations had been rocked by Canada spying on their training sessions and then their most experienced player, captain Ali Riley, being withdrawn through injury on the eve of the tournament. 

But her replacement at left back, Wellington Phoenix defender Mackenzie Barry, making her Olympic debut, gave the New Zealanders a dream early lead in the 13th minute.

The defender latched onto fellow Olympic debutant Katie Kitching’s corner, spinning on the edge of the box and lashing her shot in off the underside of the crossbar, giving Kailen Sheridan no chance to open the scoring and net her first senior international goal.

Despite going behind early, Canada settled into the game and began to exert their dominance, and this paid off for them with Cloe Lacasse equalising from close range just before half time after a well-worked move.

The gold medal holders’ dominance paid off in the second half, and they took the lead in the 79th minute through Jessie Fleming.  

The game finished with further concern for the New Zealanders, as second-half substitute Macey Fraser tearily departed the pitch with an injury. Fingers will be crossed that it’s not a serious one for the midfielder.

After the match, a disappointed head coach Michael Mayne reflected on the result.

“We’re obviously disappointed with the final result, while taking nothing away from Canada. They’re a good team and are the Olympic champions, and they have the ranking they have for a reason. 

“We were so happy with taking that lead through Mackenzie’s goal, which was great.

“But we know what we wanted to get out of that game, so we’re obviously frustrated that we weren’t able to execute that and manage some of those critical moments of the game.”

New Zealand are next in action against Colombia on July 29 at Stade de Lyon.