The Football Ferns began their Algarve Cup campaign on Thursday with a 1-0 loss to world number seven Brazil in Lagos.
Making their debut at the invite-only tournament, the 16th-ranked New Zealand side fell behind in their Group B opener to a 20th minute goal from Debora de Oliveira.
With Brazil enjoying the better of the first half in possession, the Football Ferns survived a major scare a minute before the break after Aimee Phillips was ruled to have handled the ball in the New Zealand penalty area.
But New Zealand goalkeeper Erin Nayler did brilliantly to save the resulting spot kick and keep her side in touch at halftime.
Tony Readings' Football Ferns side asserted themselves after the restart, enjoying a bigger share of possession and time in the opposition half but they couldn't find an equaliser, the best opportunity falling to substitute Rosie White in the last 10 minutes but the Brazilian side scrambled the ball clear.
