Lieke Martens’s expertly taken 20-metre curling shot in the 33rd minute ultimately proved the difference between the two teams with the Dutch joining hosts Canada at the top of Group A.
New Zealand coach Tony Readings’ pre-match prediction of a tight encounter proved accurate with Martens’ goal one of few chances for either side in the first half.
New Zealand’s best first half chances came off the back of high defensive pressure but a renewed energy after the break brought continued pressure on the Dutch back four.
New Zealand earned eight second half set pieces amidst that second half dominance with many of them making life uncomfortable for the Europeans. The Ferns also out shot their opponents 11 to 5 throughout the match. But despite the territorial and possession advantage the Ferns could not find a deserved equaliser.
Hannah Wilkinson might feel aggrieved not to have earned New Zealand the chance to draw level from the penalty spot but her strong claims were waived away and the Football Ferns are ruing what might have been.
Readings found enough in the performance of his side to suggest the Football Ferns can progress from what is shaping up as a dogfight for places in the knockout stages.
“We are obviously disappointed the result but we felt, particularly in the second half, we put in a good performance and were the better team,” Readings said.
“But in these tournaments you need to make that count and get the results. The good thing for us is we have too more games to make up for it and if we play in the same manner as we played at the end of the first half and in the second half we will definitely get some wins from this group.”
“There’s still a long way to go for us and we plan to grow through the tournament. If we play better than that then we can definately get some wins.”
Earlier in the day a Christine Sinclair penalty handed Canada a 1-0 win over a resilient China and kick start the month long tournament – the biggest single sport event for women in the world.
The hosts are next up for New Zealand, again in Edmonton, on Friday (NZT).
Tomorrow’s matches see Germany play Cote D’Ivoire and Norway face Thailand with the latter handled by Kiwi referee Anna Marie Keighley.
FIFA Women’s World Cup
Group A
New Zealand 0
Netherlands 1 (Lieke MARTENS 33’)
Halftime: 0-1
Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton
Saturday June 6, 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 (8-Jasmine PEREIRA 67’), 14-Katie BOWEN (12-Betsy HASSETT 71’), 16-Annalie LONGO, 17-Hannah WILKINSON.
Substitutes not used: 3-Anna GREEN, 11-Kirsty YALLOP (, 13-Rosie WHITE, 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
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football
For more on FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ visit www.fifa.com

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