The New Zealand players came up with the performance of their young lives to hold France to a scoreless draw but now have it all to do again if they are to achieve their goal of progressing past the group stages at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

That point – one of the most significant results in New Zealand’s footballing history – against the hosts and one of the favourites for the title was earned off the back of an energy-sapping display in which every player pushed themselves to the brink of exhaustion.

Having put in so much effort just a few days ago, it would be understandable for those energy levels to drop on Monday morning (NZ time) against Ghana but New Zealand can’t afford for that to be the case as their fate at the tournament hinges on earning a win, and a big one at that.

“I thought we were incredible against France and reached a very high standard which reflects well on the programme and I believe has justified the additional investment,” coach Gareth Turnbull says.

“I am immensely proud and I said to the players after the game that it was my favourite game of football I have ever been involved in – and I’ve been in a few,” he added.

“It is natural for there to be a dip in performances directly after an emotionally and physically draining event but I have immense faith in this group that they can individually and collectively leave it all out on the pitch again against Ghana. We will need to, as Ghana are a very good side and will be hurting after their two defeats.”

Even a win may not be enough for New Zealand to progress as they are also relying on the already-qualified Netherlands to do them a favour by beating France in the other Group A match, played simultaneously. And that would only bring the teams level on four points each so the Kiwis need to also make sure they inch ahead of France’s goal difference, which is currently superior by four.

Turnbull’s side must therefore be at their best going forward and look to add several more goals to the one they have already scored, a screamer from Hannah Blake in a 2-1 loss to the Netherlands.

“I want us to use the ball with more control in order to try and capitalise on the different spaces that Ghana will afford us. Then we will be able to see how good we are in the final third, which will ultimately decide the outcome of this match,” he says.

“But we must also bring our defensive organisation and aggression to limit their chances as we don’t want the game to become too transitional against some of their more athletic forwards.”

Ghana may have already been eliminated and struggled to deal with the class of the Netherlands and France but coach Yussif Basigi will see Monday’s match as his side’s best chance to pick up some points and salvage something from the tournament.

The group of players he has at his disposal clearly possess a high degree of talent as Ghana progressed to the quarter-finals of the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup – beating heavyweights the USA on the way – before losing in injury-time to eventual champions North Korea. The Africans also drew with both France and the USA at the previous U-20 World Cup in 2016.

“Most of their squad played in either of those two teams so they are very good, it’s just that they have played two exceptional sides,” Turnbull says. “They will be a strong opponent and are dangerous and unpredictable, regardless of the fact they have been eliminated.”

New Zealand are still likely to go in as slight favourites though and will draw confidence from their meeting with Ghana in the 2016 tournament, which brought a memorable 1-0 win thanks to a Tayla Christensen strike.

After playing their other two matches at the picturesque Stade de la Rabine in Vannes, both sides will need to get used to some new surroundings as Monday’s meeting will take place at the Stade Guy Piriou in Concarneau.

New Zealand will face Ghana in their final match of Group A at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup on Monday morning at 2.30am (NZ time) with coverage live on SKY Sport.

Match Details

New Zealand vs Ghana
Monday 13 August, 2.30am
Stade Guy-Piriou, Concarneau
Live on SKY Sport

New Zealand: 1. Anna Leat (GK), 2. Sarah Morton, 3. Rebecca Lake, 4. Elizabeth Anton, 5. Michaela Foster, 6. Nicole Mettam, 7. Hannah Blake, 8. Malia Steinmetz (c), 9. Samantha Tawharu, 10. Grace Jale, 11. Jacqui Hand, 12. Rose Morton, 13. Paige Satchell, 14. Claudia Bunge, 15. Tiana Hill, 16. Gabi Rennie, 17. Dayna Stevens, 18. Aneka Mittendorff, 19. Maggie Jenkins, 20. Nadia Olla (GK), 21. Una Foyle (GK)
Coach: Gareth Turnbull    

Article added: Sunday 12 August 2018