Photo credit: FIFA via Getty Images
New Zealand secured their first point of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2024 against tournament hosts Domincan Republic today in Santiago De Los Caballeros.
Both New Zealand and Dominican Republic came into the game off the back of opening day defeats to Nigeria and Ecuador respectively, needing to secure at least a point to keep their World Cup campaigns alive.
New Zealand head coach Alana Gunn made four changes to the side after New Zealand’s first game against Nigeria, with Grace Bartlett, Maddy Dawkins and 2924 OFC U-16 Women’s Championship golden ball winner Pia Vlok starting in place of Katie Chellenbron, Millie Loxton and Emily Humphrey, while goalkeeper Sophie Campbell started in place of Brooke Neary. Packing out the midfield, New Zealand set up in a 3-5-2..
New Zealand opened confidently, with Grace Bartlett in particular finding plenty of space on the left flank to cause the Central Americans some concern. She came close to opening the scoring in the first half when she cut in from the byline and crashed her shot against the crossbar.
Despite ending the first half with a period of sustained dominance, New Zealand had nothing to show for it, perhaps guilty of rushing the final ball. By the end of the first half New Zealand comfortably had the most attempts on goal, most passes completed, but crucially but were yet to find the final decisive touch.
New Zealand picked up where they left off after the break, with the crossbar again denying them an opener – Ela Jerez this time seeing her shot fly a fraction too high in the 50th minute.
Jerez was key to New Zealand taking the lead just ten minutes later, curling in a corner and deflecting off Dominican Republic captain Renata Mercedes. While Hannah Saxon on hand to ensure the ball hit the back of the net, the goal was eventually credited as an own goal.
The hosts weren’t fazed, finding an equaliser seven minutes later – also through a corner. Mikaela Bangalan could only clear as far as Yuleinis Brito, who emphatically finished to restore parity and send the home support into raptures.
New Zealand continued to search for their second, but were left to rue a lack of clinical finishing that denied them the full three points, while a good save from Campbell in added time kept the Kiwis level.
New Zealand take on Ecuador in their final Gorup A game on Wednesday, knowing that nothing less than a win will be needed to secure progression to the knockout stages.
New Zealand: 1 (OG 61’)
Dominican Republic: 1 (Yuleinis BRITO 68’)
HT: 0-0
Source link : https://www.oceaniafootball.com/new-zealand-keep-world-cup-campaign-alive-with-draw/
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Publish date : 2024-10-19 21:23:43
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