Despite a much stronger showing following Friday’s 2-0 defeat, New Zealand fell behind in the 25th minute to a Sydney Leroux breakaway but could have levelled the scores before halftime if the crossbar hadn’t denied Renee Leota.
New Zealand were left cursing the woodwork twice in the second half with another potential equaliser, this time from Hannah Wilkinson, also hitting the crossbar, and a Hannah Wall shot crashing off the bar onto the line and out shortly after the USA extended their lead through Sam Mewis in the 66th minute.
Instead, New Zealand faded and goals in the 75th and 85th minutes to Tiffany McCarthy and Sade Ayinde ultimately gave the home side a comfortable winning margin.
With July’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Germany to look forward to and pool games against heavyweight trio Brazil, Korea DPR and Sweden to navigate, two matches in three days against the reigning U-20 champion was tough but valuable preparation in the eyes of New Zealand coach Tony Readings.
“We’ve learnt that we can match it against the world’s best teams but we can’t do it for 90 minutes,” Readings said.
“In and out of possession we have enough in our locker to hurt teams, but we have a lot of work to do on our fitness because on the world stage the best teams will get stronger at the end of games.”
The Junior Football Ferns open their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign against Sweden in Bielefeld on July 13, and face former champions Korea DPR at the same venue three days later, before moving to Dresden to finish pool play against Brazil on July 20.
U-20 Women’s International
Los Angeles
New Zealand: 0
USA: 4 (Sydney Leroux, Sam Mewis, Tiffany McCarthy, Sade Ayinde)
Halftime: 0-1
New Zealand: Erin NAYLER (GK), Liz MILNE (Catlin CAMPBELL 75), Briony FISHER (Chelsey Wood 63), Bridgette ARMSTRONG, Anna GREEN (Captain), Annalie LONGO (Emily COOPER 68), Nadia PEARL, Hannah WALL (Sarah MCLAUGHLIN 75), Rene LEOTA (Claudia CRASBORN 78), Rosie WHITE, Hannah WILKINSON (Katie ROOD 46).
Substitutes not used: Vic ESSON (RGK)
Story courtesy NZF Media
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