Amber Hearn met an Anna Green cross with a diving header to put New Zealand 1-0 ahead in the seventh minute and the Ferns got just reward for their dominance of the match when fullback Green bent a 79th-minute free kick around the wall and past the Welsh goalkeeper.
With New Zealand’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Group B opener against Japan just 12 days away, New Zealand coach John Herdman is pleased to be building momentum.
“It was a really professional performance today. We looked like a team heading to a World Cup,” Herdman says.
“We were very solid against a well-organised Welsh team. We were able to make lots of changes in the second half and still keep the pedal to the floor which was really good to see.”
The Ferns play fellow World Cup finalists Colombia on Sunday (NZT) before wrapping up their preparations against Denmark on Tuesday morning (NZT).
“Colombia are a team peaking for the World Cup so that will be a real test and the Danes are the middle of their season and looking very sharp. The Danes are strong powerful athletes and the Colombians are technically proficient. They will be different challenges but the exciting thing is that you will see teams peaking and ready to play off against each other.”
Midfielder Hayley Moorwood came on at halftime to earn her 64th cap, equalling Wendi Henderson’s Football Ferns record for appearances in ‘A’ internationals.
Match Details
New Zealand 2 (Amber HEARN 7’ Anna GREEN 79’)
Wales 0
Halftime: 1-0
New Zealand: 1-Jenny BINDON (gk), 2-Ria PERCIVAL (18-Katie BOWEN 70’), 3-Anna GREEN, 4-Katie HOYLE (8-Hayley MOORWOOD 46’), 5-Abby ERCEG, 6-Rebecca SMITH (c), 7-Ali RILEY (14-Sarah McLAUGHLIN 78’), 9-Amber HEARN (16-Annalie LONGO 60’), 10-Sarah GREGORIUS (13-Rosie WHITE 46’), 12-Betsy HASSETT, 17-Hannah WILKINSON (15-Emma KETE 46’).
Substitutes not used: 11-Kirsty YALLOP, 19-Kristy HILL, 20-Aroon CLANSEY (rgk), 21-Erin NAYLOR (rgk).
Coach: John HERDMAN
Matchworld Cup
New Zealand v Colombia
Apples, Switzerland
Saturday June 18, 6pm (4am June 19 NZT)
New Zealand v Denmark
Naters, Switzerland
Monday June 20, 5.30pm (3.30am June 21 NZT)
FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011
New Zealand v Japan
Bochum, Germany
Monday June 27, 3pm (1am June 28 NZT)
Live on Sky Sport
New Zealand v England
Dresden, Germany
Friday July 1, 6.15pm (4.15am July 2 NZT)
Live on Sky Sport
New Zealand v Mexico
Sinsheim, Germany
Tuesday July 5, 6.15pm (4.15am July 6 NZT)
Live on Sky Sport
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand football go to www.nzfootball.co.nz