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July Newsletter South America tour for Young Football Ferns The New Zealand U-17 team had a positive start to their tour of Paraguay at the weekend with a 2-1 win over club side Cerro Porteno but the team followed that up with a disappointing loss to Paraguay's U-17 national team on Monday.
In the first game, played in Acucion, Young Fern striker Hannah Wall opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a volley from 20 yards. A concentration lapse in defence brought the Paraguayan club level five minutes before halftime but senior international Annalie Longo then grabbed the 73rd minute winner to leave New Zealand second in the four-team tournament behind Paraguay’s U-17s, who beat Universidad Autonoma 5-3 in the day’s opening match. New Zealand head coach Paul Temple was pleased with the way his side brushed aside challenging conditions. “The players faced the most pressure they’ve ever been under but I’m really proud of the way they came through it, and happy to get a win we thoroughly deserved.” On Monday, Temple was in a different frame of mind after is side went down 0-4 to Paraguay in an international friendly. He was honest in his appraisal of the side’s performance but said the Young Football Ferns still had a chance to put things right. “The next 48 hours are a real test of this side. We certainly can’t afford to play like that again but my gut tells me the players will respond in the right way." Paraguay then went on to score two goals in the first half and two goals in the second. New Zealand resume a quadrangular tournament against club side Universidad Autonoma on Thursday morning before getting the chance to make amends against Paraguay in the tournament finale on Saturday morning. “The only saving grace is that today’s game was not part of the tournament and we still have the chance of taking the title if we perform much better and get a couple of wins,” Temple said.
Remaining tour matches Thursday 17 July at Cancha de la Universidad Autonoma, Acuncion Saturday 19 July at Cancha del Club Olimpia, Acuncion |
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New Zealand’s day started badly, losing goalkeeper Charlotte Wood after only five minutes to a dislocated shoulder that will keep her out of action for up to two months.