Soccer: Football Ferns denied Dutch upset

Amber Hearn scored from the penalty spot for the Football Ferns. Photo / Getty Images

The Football Ferns traded goals with the Netherlands in their final match of the Cyprus Cup but could not find a winner and had to settle for a 2-2 draw in Larnaca this morning.

New Zealand fell behind when Abby Erceg brought down a Dutch striker to concede a penalty but Amber Hearn drew the Ferns level from the penalty spot with the last kick of the first half after she had a goal-bound shot blocked by the hand f a defender.

Eleven minutes into the second half Rosie White dinked a ball over the Dutch defence and Sarah Gregorius volleyed New Zealand into the lead but the Dutch found an equaliser just three minutes later and despite enjoying the better chances the Football Ferns could not find a winner.

The Netherlands went on to win a penalty shootout 4-2 to claim seventh place while France beat Canada 2-0 in the final.

"We're pretty disappointed to draw, as we thought we had done enough to win the game," said New Zealand coach Tony Readings.

"We created plenty of chances, hit the wood work a couple of times and could have scored more than the two goals we got. If we had played extra time I'm pretty confident the winning goal would have come."

"The first half was a little disappointing from us but we played much better in the second. There's a very valuable lesson here - we have to take the chances we're creating.

"The Netherlands might be ranked 14 in the world but if we are striving towards a gold medal these are the games we have to win - their ranking is just a number."

Aside from the shootout to decide finals placings, New Zealand finished the tournament unbeaten having defeated Northern Ireland and drawn with South Africa, South Korea and the Netherlands.

"Tournaments like these are really valuable experiences and the more we can play in these sorts of events the better.

"We encountered four completely different styles and had to adapt our strategy and tactics each game.

"Overall, I'm happy with the results but more satisfied by the performances. We want to keep improving game to game. I still feel there's more to come from this group ahead of the Olympics and we've got four months to realise that potential.

To reach London, the Football Ferns now face either Papua New Guinea or Tonga - those two teams meet in the final of the OFC Women's Olympic Qualifiers in Tonga later today - over two legs to claim Oceania's sole spot in the 12 team finals.

New Zealand hosts the first leg on March 31 then travels for the return leg on April 4.

"The qualifiers are another great opportunity to get the squad together, and a rare chance for the team to play on home soil. We're intrigued to see who we'll face as we've played both teams in World Cup qualifying.

"In the wider scheme of things, it's another two games to prepare for the Olympics and if and when we qualify, the countdown to London can really begin."