Football: Ferns draw with N Korea

Hannah Wilkinson volleyed home to give New Zealand the lead last night.

The Football Ferns and North Korea have battled out a 1-1 draw in the opening match of a soccer tri-series in Auckland, also featuring Australia.

Hannah Wilkinson volleyed home to give New Zealand the lead last night, but Wi Jong Sim equalised midway through the opening spell with a diving header.

The series is part of the Football Ferns' preparations for the World Cup in Canada in June and coach Tony Readings praised the performance of his players at Bill McKinlay Park in Mt Wellington.

"What we're talking about a lot at the moment is our intent to do the right thing," he said. "Today, there was real intent for the whole match to play to win and to take on their pressure, which we know is one of the best in the world."

New Zealand's goal in the 11th minute came after they won possession in opposition territory and worked the ball into the penalty box, where Wilkinson produced an emphatic finish.

That spurred on North Korea, who as the world No.7 are ranked 11 places above New Zealand.

They began to gain the upper hand with some crisp passing and movement and levelled in the 21st minute when Wi met a whipped cross from the right.

The midfielder almost put her side ahead minutes later but dragged her snap shot just wide.

While North Korea continued to be more dominant in a hard-fought and at times physical encounter, both sides created chances in the second spell.
One feature of the Football Ferns' play was their insistence on passing the ball out from the back, even when their opponents were pressing high. "We just want to be get as good as we can at taking the pressure," Readings said.

"If we decided to play a bit direct and long, then I think that's not staying true to who were are. At the same time, we are going to learn some massive lessons."

The series continues with North Korea facing Australia at the same venue tomorrow afternoon at 3.30 - entry is free - and concludes with the Football Ferns meeting the Matildas on Thursday night.