Soccer: Ferns beat Switzerland

Kirsty Yallop and Betsy Hassett both scored for the Football Ferns. Photo / Getty Images

First half strikes from Kirsty Yallop and Betsy Hassett have led the Football Ferns to a 2-1 victory over Switzerland in Larnaca, Cyrpus at the 2011 Cyprus Cup on Saturday morning (NZT).

A shot from Hassett rebounded to Yallop just inside the box and the midfielder showed poise and close control to slip a covering defender and beat the closing goalkeeper for the 38th minute opener.

Hassett doubled the score just three minutes later when she drove a firm shot towards the back post that deflected off a defender and gave New Zealand a healthy halftime lead which the Swiss only cut into seven minutes from fulltime.

In keeping with the aim of trying different combinations throughout the tournament with a view on the FIFA Women's World Cup in June and July, New Zealand coach John Herdman made six changes in the second half trialled players in new roles from start to finish.

"Tactically, we went back to what we know today and while we still tried people in different positions they were operating in a system they were confident in, and that got the best out of them," Herdman said.

"It should have been a very safe score line at half time after any number of chances in the first 25 minutes.

"In football terms, Switzerland are a emerging nation in Europe and we knew they would be very tough. They finished fourth in this tournament last year and got very close to qualifying for the World Cup but lost narrowly to England."

In the day's other Group B encounter the Netherlands continued their good form with a 2-1 win over France that keeps them in pole position for top spot and a place in next Thursday's final, although the winner of New Zealand clash against France on Tuesday morning (NZT) could potential overtake them if the Dutch lose to Switzerland in their final group game.

A win over France would at least guarantee a third consecutive top four finish at the Cyprus Cup but New Zealand will be keeping things up their sleeve when they meet the World number 8.

"We'll still have to play it safe and be careful not to reveal our World Cup plans. There were scouts at game today and there'll be some watching us play France as well I'm sure.

"We given everyone some game time during the first couple of games and that has spurred a healthy competitiveness among the players which we'll take into the next game."

England and Mexico, two of New Zealand's World Cup opponents present in the tournament's other groups, had contrasting days with the English losing 0-2 to Auld rivals Scotland and Mexico holding South Korea to a 1-1 draw.