The 2010 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup runners-up held a 3-0 lead at halftime and scored twice more in the second half to close out the match.
New Zealand U-17 coach Jitka Klimkova spoke highly of an opponent her side will meet in the group stage of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica in March.
“After that performance, huge respect must be paid to Japan,” Klimkova said, “they showed how football can be beautiful and that they are definitely one of the top level teams in the world.”
“But we’re very proud of our girls, they gave 100 percent effort and our second half performance was much better. We kept more possession and Japan weren’t so dangerous.”
Playing in their first international competition since last year’s series against Australia in August, Klimkova said it took some time for her side to adjust to the level required.
“We had a number of players stepping out at that level for the first time and the first 20-25 minutes showed it was something new for them but in the second half we were able to focus on a few points and we developed well in those over the match.”
The next game for the Young Football Ferns is on Saturday against the United States – who failed to qualify for Costa Rica. The host nation beat China 4-0 in the second match of the day.
Klimkova expects another tough battle from a side eager to prove they should have been among the 16 teams at the fast-approaching showcase event.
“The United States will be different and they play much more direct which will be great for us. They are keen to show they should be at the World Cup so these games will be excellent preparation for us for the World Cup.”
The Young Football Ferns match against the United States is on Saturday 8 February at 2pm (NZ time).
NTC Invitational Tournament – Carson, Los Angeles
New Zealand U-17 0
Japan 5
Halftime: 0-3
New Zealand: Emma Fulbrook (GK), Geneva Gross, Karin Ingram, Elizabeth Anton, Hanna English, Isabella Coombes, Daisy Cleverley, Martine Puketapu, Emily Oosterhof, Isabella Richards, Tayla Christensen
Substitutes: Lucy Stotter, Jade Parris, Sophie Stewart-Hobbs, Paige Satchell, Sarah Morton, Whitney Hepburn, Emily Hanrahan (GK), Deven Jackson, Hope Gilchrist

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