Cyprus Cup: Football Ferns 1-1 Netherlands

The Football Ferns have taken another step towards making the final of the Cyprus Cup by drawing with the Netherlands 1-1 in Larnaca on Saturday morning (NZT).

Ali Riley

February 27, 2010

AUCKLAND – The Football Ferns have taken another step towards making the final of the Cyprus Cup by drawing with the Netherlands 1-1 in Larnaca on Saturday morning (NZT).

After Amber Hearn earned and converted a 18th minute penalty, New Zealand looked on course to upset the Dutch for the second time in 12 months but Manon Melis levelled the scores from a corner midway through the half and although Rosie White and Ali Riley rattled the woodwork the Ferns couldn’t get their noses in front of the European Championship semi-finalists again.

The match was played in atrocious weather conditions – a Group B fixture between Canada and England scheduled to follow New Zealand’s match was put back a day due to a waterlogged pitch – and New Zealand coach John Herdman was pleased with how his side backed up from an historic win over Italy just two days ago.

“I think we dominated them physically,” Herdman said.

“The first half was a real battle but into the wind in the second half we took the game to them and were able to get the ball down and play.”

The point leaves New Zealand and the Netherlands locked on four points, one ahead of Italy who beat Scotland 2-0 in Group A’s other fixture. The Netherlands have a two goal edge over New Zealand in goal difference heading into the final group matches on Tuesaday morning (NZT).

With the top side in each of the tournament’s two groups meeting in the final, New Zealand must beat Scotland to have any chance of qualifying.

They may also need to boost their goal differential although the Dutch face a stern test from Italy, the top ranked nation in the group.

“The Italy-Netherlands match could go either way but we’ve just got to do what we need to; win and look to get a few goals,” Herdman said.

“We’re in a great position but we’ve got a tough game against a Scotland side who were far from outclassed by Italy today.

“We’ll put out our most attacking line-up to give ourselves the best chance of progressing through to the final.”

In the only Group B match played Switzerland defeated South Africa 3-1 to temporarily top the group.

2010 Cyprus Women’s Cup

Ammochostos Stadium
Larnaca, Cyprus

New Zealand 1 (Amber Hearn 18-pen) Netherlands 1 (Manon Malis 26)
Halftime: 1-1

New Zealand: 1-Jenny BINDON (GK),  4-Katie HOYLE, 5-Abby ERCEG, 6-Rebecca SMITH, 7-Ali RILEY, 8-Hayley MOORWOOD (Captain), 9-Amber HEARN (17-Hannah WILKINSON 88), 11-Kirsty YALLOP, 12-Betsy HASSETT, 14-Rosie WHITE, 15-Hannah WALL.
Substitutes not used: 2-Liz MILNE, 3-Anna GREEN, 10-Annalie LONGO, 16-Emma KETE, 18-Kristy HILL, 20-Aroon CLANSEY (RGK).
Coach: John Herdman

Cautions: Katie HOYLE

Match day two results

Group 1
New Zealand 1 Netherlands 1
Italy 2 Scotland 0

Group 2
Switzerland 3 South Africa 1
Canada v England postponed

Group 1 Standings

Group 2 Standings

Upcoming fixtures

March 2, 1am (NZT)
New Zealand v Scotland
GSZ Stadium
Larnaca, Stadium

March 4 (NZT)
Playoffs