But for a missed Amber Hearn penalty in the 32nd minute, New Zealand could’ve grabbed all three points and a four-way share of the Group A lead but the veteran striker laced her spotkick onto the crossbar.
Canada lead the group outright with four points while China joined Netherlands on three after their 1-0 defeat of the Europeans in the early kick off.
New Zealand’s valuable point means they need victory over China in their final group match in Winnipeg on June 15 to progess to the knockout stages.
A lightning storm took the players from the field for half an hour due to safety concerns with just four mins played of the contest but the tempo didn’t suffer in a tense and physical affair.
Betsy Hassett was the only newcomer in the Football Ferns line up and while New Zealand gave away size in the midfield tale of the tape, Hassett, Katie Duncan and Annalie Longo matched the Canadian’s brawn with will and skill in the tackle and awareness on the ball.
New Zealand got the penalty call they missed out on in their first match when Allysha Chapman mistimed a challenge on Hannah Wilkinson just after the half hour mark, but Hearn let the hosts off the hook.
Hearn also produced New Zealand’s second best first half effort, a header tipped over the bar by Erin McLeod.
Despite New Zealand’s the advantage in possession, territory and pressure, Canada still fashioned some genuine chances but found player of the match Erin Nayler in unbeatable form in the New Zealand goal.
Her she denied the talismanic Christine Sinclair one-on-one but then bettered that effort in the second half by tipping an opportunistic avolley form the same player in the second half.
Melissa Tancredi had the ball in the New Zealand net just on halftime but the German officials correctly spotted the offside and disallowed the goal.
Earlier in the day, China clawed their way back into Group A contention with a 1-0 win over Netherlands.
In other action World number one Germany drew 1-1 with Norway to stay atop of Group B while Thailand bounced back from their opening defeat to beat Côte D’Ivoire 3-2 in Ottawa.
FIFA Women’s World Cup
Canada 0
New Zealand 0
Halftime: 0-0
Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton
Saturday June 11, 2015
New Zealand: 1-Erin NAYLER (GK), 2-Ria PERCIVAL, 4-Katie DUNCAN, 5-Abby ERCEG (captain), 6-Rebekah STOTT, 7-Ali RILEY, 9-Amber HEARN, 10-Sarah GREGORIUS (13-Rosie WHITE 79’), 12-Betsy HASSETT (14-Katie BOWEN 77’), 16-Annalie LONGO, 17-Hannah WILKINSON.
Substitutes not used: 3-Anna GREEN, 8-Jasmine PEREIRA, 11-Kirsty YALLOP, , 15-Meikayla MOORE, 18-Catherine BOTT, 19-Evie MILLYNN, 20-Daisy CLEVRLEY, 21-Rebecca ROLLS (RGK), 22-Emma KETE, 23-Cushla LICHTWARK (RGK)
Coach: Tony READINGS
Cautions: Ria PERCIVAL 52’, Sarah GREGORIUS 71’
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