KEY POINTS:
New Zealand fought back from two goals down before conceding a third in stoppage time to lose 2-3 to Nigeria at the women's under-20 soccer World Cup in Chile today.
Sublime goals from Ria Percival either side of halftime had brought New Zealand level after defensive errors twice cost them midway through the first half in Coquimbo.
Then, with time running out in the 92nd minute, Nigerian captain Rita Chikwelu broke clear and steered the ball past goalkeeper Charlotte Wood to grab three valuable World Cup points for her team.
New Zealand next play Chile on Sunday, leaving them little time to get over their disappointment.
"Chile won't be as big or as experienced as Nigeria, and we definitely think three points are up for grabs in that match and even against England in our final group game," New Zealand coach John Herdman said.
" Nigeria were always going to be our toughest game. They've got a history of making quarterfinals of these tournaments and will cause lots of teams trouble."
Herdman said his players struggled to deal with Nigeria's pace on the flanks.
"There's a future Thierry Henry of the women's game on their right and we changed our full back at halftime to try and cope. When you're relying on pace in defence that's our reality," Herdman said.
Herdman started six members of the New Zealand under-17 team for the game, and introduced a seventh, playmaker Annalie Longo, with 20 minutes remaining.
"I don't want to hide behind youth but we only had four players on the pitch who don't have another under-20 tournament in them in two years time and we're up against one of the most experienced teams here.
" We're working with players who still need to gel as a team but the team showed a lot of fight and will be disappointed to not have taken the chances to win the game."
The Junior Football Ferns were guilty of giving possession away and allowing Nigeria's pacy wingers too much time and space.
Nigeria's opening goal came after half an hour with Sarah Michael benefiting from a poor clearance from Caitlin Campbell, who could only knock a low firm cross from Chikwelu into Michael's path.
Four minutes later, Ogonna Chukwudi made space on the edge of the area to fire a shot past Wood.
The New Zealanders responded through a back post header from Percival before the interval.
They looked more dangerous in the second half and took just seven minutes to draw level in classy fashion.
With her back to goal, Rosie White knocked a neat overhead ball to Percival, who took a touch to get outside her marker and laced an 18m shot past the Nigerian goalkeeper.
- NZPA
