New Zealand's hopes of reaching the second round of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago are hanging by a thread after a 1-3 defeat to European champions Spain in Couva today.
New Zealand were rocked by a fourth minute goal when keeper Chloe May Geurts was lobbed from 30 metres out but the Kiwi girls drew level in the 15th minute through midfielder Kate Loye.
Loye was on hand to grab her second close range goal in as many games after Liv Chance and Stephanie Skilton combined to tee up a shot from Holly Patterson.
Two further Spanish second-half goals sealed the win for the Europeans.
The combination of heat, humidity and Spain's possession game exhausted the Young Football Ferns.
"We just weren't good enough today," New Zealand coach Dave Edmondson said.
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Soccer: NZ girls fall to Spain
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