FERNS OLYMPIC DREAM ENDS AT HANDS OF USA

AUCKLAND – The rapid improvement of the Football Ferns was checked by the USA on Tuesday night, in a 0-4 loss to the reigning Olympic champions in Shenyang.

The top-ranked Americans scored twice in each half – including the fastest ever Olympic goal – to  claim top spot in Group G ahead of Norway – who suffered a shock 1-5 loss to Japan – and avoid a quarter-final meeting with Brazil.

Japan also progress from New Zealand’s pool as one of the top third-placed teams, while the Ferns finish tenth overall on their Olympic debut.

It’s a reminder for the Ferns that while competitive, and at times dominant, performances against top-ten sides Japan (2-2) and Norway (0-1) signal a bright future there’s no substitute in the short-term for experience given the USA fielded nine players with twice the number of caps of the Ferns’ most experienced player.

Football Ferns captain Hayley Moorwood earned her 38th cap but her opposite was playing her 200th game, while there was another centurion in the line-up and two more on the American bench.

Coach John Herdman was disappointed with an early exit from the tournament but pleased with the positive signs from a side with an average age of just 22.

“We’ve taken some big steps in the last month, in this tournament and throughout our warm-ups, and now have the chance to build on this momentum,” Herdman said.

“We’ve come a long way but it takes experience to get comfortable with winning.

“Our performances may help us break into other international tournaments and start amassing the amount of international experience you need to be physically and mentally prepared for games like this.”

“We know that New Zealand Football are 100 percent behind the women’s game and we hope to get the backing of Sparc and the NZOC again in the future.

Herdman said the tournament had helped change the mindset of his team.

“The belief of the players has shifted and that’s half the battle.”

“We won’t accept credibility now, we’re about accepting winning.

“That may take three years, but if we keep investing in the team then we can reach our goal of reaching the quarter-finals of the 2011 World Cup and the quarter-finals of the Olympics in 2012.

With earlier results in the day going their way, New Zealand began the game knowing any win would be good enough to progress to the quarterfinals but their hopes were rocked by a horror start with many fans still settling into their seats.

New Zealand were wearing their alternate uniform of black shirts but goalkeeper Jenny Bindon failed to find one with her goal kick and Heather O’Reilly returned it with interest from 30 yards, stopping the stopwatch at just 41 seconds for the fastest goal in Olympic history.

The Football Ferns survived a barrage of long range efforts in the first 25 minutes and just as they were beginning to earn parity in midfield and enjoy a greater share of possession, Amy Rodriguez struck a killer blow for the Americans two minutes before halftime, taking a long clearance in stride and doubling the lead with a clinical first-time finish.

Amber Hearn had a golden chance to reduce the deficit eight minutes into the second half but miscued her shot after Kirsty Yallop set her free inside the area.

Lindsay Tarpley – who hit the post from a tight angle after 15 minutes – made no mistake 12 minutes into the second half with Jenny Bindon out of position after saving shots by Rodriguez and O’Reilly.

Three minutes later Lori Chalupny cut in from the left hand flank and hit the crossbar with a right-footed shot but Angela Hucles was on hand to complete the scoring despite Bindon getting a glove to her follow-up.

Women’s Olympic Football Tournament: Group G

Shenyang Olympic Stadium

Tuesday 12 August

New Zealand 0 USA 4 (Heather O’Reilly 1, Amy Rodriguez 43, Lindsay Tarpley 57, Angela Hucles 60).

Halftime 0-2

New Zealand: 1-Jenny BINDON (GK), 2-Ria PERCIVAL, 5-Abby ERCEG, 6-Rebecca SMITH, 17-Marlies OOSTDAM (3-Anna GREEN 64), 7-Alexandra RILEY, 4-Katie HOYLE (14-Kristy HILL 64, 8-Hayley MOORWOOD, 11-Kirsty YALLOP, 9-Amber HEARN (13-Rebecca TEGG), 15-Emma KETE.

Substitutes not used: 10-Emily McCOLL, 12-Merissa SMITH, 16-Renee LEOTA, 18-Rachel HOWARD (GK).

Coach: John HERDMAN

Cautions: Marlies OOSTDAM, Amber HEARN,

USA: 1-Hope SOLO (GK), 2-Heather MITTS (14-Stephanie COX 62), 3-Christie RAMPONE (Captain), 4-Rachel BUEHLER, 5-Lindsay TARPLEY, 7-Shannon BOXX, 8-Amy RODRIGUEZ (6-Natasha KAI 57), 9-Heather O REILLY (10-Aly WAGNER 74), 11-Carli LLOYD, 16-Angela HUCLES, 17-Lori CHALUPNY.

Substitutes not used: 12-Lauren CHENEY, 13-Tobin HEATH, 15-Kate MARKGRAF, 18-Nicole BARNHART (GK).

Coach: Pia SUNDHAGE

Standings: Group G

photos courtesy of FIFA Media. For more visit www.fifa.com