AUCKLAND – New Zealand will head into their crucial final FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup group match against England in Santiago on Thursday morning without star midfielder Ria Percival, after an appeal over her suspension was rejected by FIFA.

New Zealand management had appealed to FIFA to overturn the second of two yellow cards Percival received in the ground-breaking 4-3 win over hosts Chile, in the belief that the Costa Rican referee had booked the incorrect player for the offending incident.

The Junior Ferns will now not have Percival back unless they make the quarterfinals – something they will achieve with victory over Group A leaders England, or potentially with a draw providing Chile notch an unlikely upset over Nigeria in Temuco.

Percival – who won the majority of her 30 senior international caps as a fullback – has been a revelation at right midfield, scoring two classy goals against Nigeria in a heartbreaking 2-3 loss, and then setting up Rosie White for what proved to be the winning goal against Chile as the Junior Football Ferns eliminated the hosts with New Zealand’s first World Cup win outside New Zealand.

The absence of the 18-year-old – the squad’s most experienced player along with Abby Erceg – has left head coach John Herdman with a huge hole to fill.

“The England coaches were up in the stands near our technical staff during the last game and they rubbing their hands together when Ria got sent off,” Herdman said.

“There’s been a lot of talk about Ria over here with her performances so far and even coaches outside our group have been commenting about what her loss means for our team.”

The ability of senior international Merissa Smith to slot into Percival’s wide midfield slot, or for in-form left winger Hannah Wall to switch flanks gave Herdman some comfort, but the English-born coach hinted that a complete re-think may be in order to cover for  the set-back.

“Ria’s a one-off, especially with the form she’s in. We may have to look at how we shape up without her to call on.”

If a departure from 4-4-2 was on the cards, then U-17 playmaker Annalie Longo could be in line to start in an advanced midfield position, after assuming the role of impact player in New Zealand’s first two games.

New Zealand play England at Estadio Municipal in Santiago at 11am on Thursday (New Zealand time).

Story provided by NZF Media. For more visit www.nzsoccer.com