YOUNG FOOTBALL FERNS SECURE HISTORIC WIN AGAINST AUSTRALIA

AUCKLAND - The Young Football Ferns recorded New Zealand’s biggest win over Australia at any level, defeating their trans-Tasman rivals 4-0 in an U-17 international in Canberra on Tuesday.

It’s the first win for Paul Temple’s side in just their seventh match since beginning preparations a few months ago for the inaugural FIFA U-17 Women’s’ World Cup in New Zealand which kicks off in late October.

The margin of victory also breaks a long-standing record, bettering the All Whites’ 4-1 win over Australia achieved in Newcastle during the winter of 1923, and two 3-0 trans-Tasman wins for the Football Ferns in 1984 and 1991.

“We’re over the moon,” said head coach Paul Temple, “to win, and to do it in style means we’re pretty proud kiwis at the moment.”

Striker Hannah Wall bagged a goal in each half, while Nadia Pearl and Caitlin Campbell – who created two goals from her new position of right fullback – also got on the scoresheet.

Getting revenge for a 1-0 reverse at the hands of Australia in February, New Zealand could have run out even larger victors as Campbell, Wall and Sarah McLaughlin each hit the woodwork twice.

“Our defensive work was fantastic and we deserved the cleansheet but despite scoring four goals and hitting the woodwork six times, our in-possession play still has room for improvement,” Temple said.

Wall opened the scoring after 16 minutes, latching on to a through ball from Campbell and flicking the ball over an advancing keeper before finishing into an empty net.

Nadia Pearl doubled the lead after 35 minutes, lashing home from the edge of the area after the Australian keeper failed to comfortably clear a Campbell cross.

After Australia missed a second-half penalty and an opportunity to claw their way back into the match, Campbell turned from provider to goalscorer with a sweeping length-of-the-field move.

Collecting a pass from her goalkeeper, Campbell beat her marker, and then played a one-two with Claudia Crassborn to reach halfway. She found Sarah McLaughlin on an angled run who crossed from the right hand side for Campbell to volley into the roof of the net from six yards out.

Wall round out the scoring four minutes from time with her second, reacting quickest after Australia’s keeper had athletically parried McLaughlin’s long range effort.

The Young Football Ferns hope to repeat their effort in a second U-17 international on Thursday before taking on Australia’s U-20s on Saturday.

U-17 Women’s Football International

April 15
Canberra

New Zealand4 (Hannah Wall 16/86, Nadia Pearl 35, Caitlin Campbell 77) Australia 0

New Zealand:Charlotte Wood (GK), Caitlin Campbell, Briony Fisher (Captain), Yumi Nguyen, Anna Fullerton (Mega Shea 60), Katie Bowen (Lauren Murray 65), Leah Gallie (Emily Cooper 68), Nadia Pearl (Kate Loye 80), Claudia Crasborn, Sarah McLaughlin, Hannah Wall.
Substitutes not used: Victoria Esson (RGK), Jodi Curtis, Elise Mamnu-Gray.
Head Coach: Paul Temple

Story courtesy of NZF Media. For full story and more information visit www.nzsoccer.com