Needing a victory to remain a chance to top the Group A standings, New Zealand raced to an early 4th minute lead through in-form striker Amber Hearn who later added her fourth goal of the tournament in the 36th minute shortly after fullback Anna Green had extended the Kiwis’ lead.
Green laid on the first goal for Hearn after sustained possession from the Ferns opened a gap behind the Scottish defence and there were similarities in New Zealand’s second goal until Green cut inside and backed herself to score from outside the area.
Hearn, the tournament’s leading scorer, turned her marker on the edge of the box and placed her shot into the top right corner for her second of the night.
The unbeaten Ferns couldn’t add to their lead in the second half and then waited on tenterhooks for updates from Nicosia as the Netherlands, who would’ve had the edge over New Zealand on goal difference or goals scored if they won the day’s final game, were held to 1-1 draw against the group’s top seed, Italy.
The final on Thursday morning (NZT) will be the first for the Football Ferns outside Oceania since 1975, a fact not lost on New Zealand coach John Herdman.
“It’s exciting times,” Herdman said.
“There’s a group of pretty happy players back there. They set an internal goal of making the final quite a few weeks ago and to achieve it is down to a lot of hard work.”
“The losses against Australia a fortnight ago were a wakeup call and a reminder about the realities of international football but they’ve turned it around and delivered three great results on the bounce.”
In Group B, Canada notched their third straight win, beating South Africa 2-1 while Switzerland drew 2-2 against defending champions England to pip the English to second place in the group.
The Swiss will now playoff against the Netherlands for third place overall while England will match up against Italy in a fifth place playoff. Scotland meets South Africa to avoid the wooden spoon.
The last two meetings between New Zealand and the world number 12 Canadians have finished in 1-1 draws and Herdman is expecting another close match in the final.
“They’ve scalped the English over here and they’ve got players like Christine Sinclair who can cause us problems, but I think it’ll come down to who wants it more.
“This is quite a hungry New Zealand team, and all that desire and passion will be needed to swing it our way.”
The final kicks off on Thursday at 4am New Zealand time.
2010 Cyprus Women’s Cup
GSZ Stadium
Larnaca, Stadium
New Zealand 3 (Amber Hearn 4, 36; Anna Green 33) Scotland 0
Halftime: 3-0
New Zealand: 1-Jenny BINDON (GK), 3-Anna GREEN, 4-Katie HOYLE, 5-Abby ERCEG, 6-Rebecca SMITH, 7-Ali RILEY, 8-Hayley MOORWOOD (Captain / 15-Hannah WALL 78), 9-Amber HEARN (16-Emma KETE 78), 11-Kirsty YALLOP, 12-Betsy HASSETT (10-Annalie LONGO 50), 14-Rosie WHITE (17-Hannah WILKINSON 70).
Substitutes not used: 2-Liz MILNE, 18-Kristy HILL, 20-Aroon CLANSEY (RGK).
Coach: John Herdman
For all results and standings, click here.
Story and photo courtesy NZF Media
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