KEY POINTS:
New Zealand's battling performance in a 1-0 defeat to Canada in the opening match of the inaugural under-17 women's soccer World Cup in Auckland last night has given coach Paul Temple plenty of encouragement.
On the back foot for much of the first half of an open and entertaining contest, the Young Football Ferns dominated the second, but just couldn't peg back Canadian striker Rachel Lamarre's 53rd minute goal.
Temple said the display gave him plenty of confidence heading into New Zealand's next group match, against Denmark back at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday.
"Right now, it's a little bit emotional because we feel we deserved something from the game," he said.
"But once we start reviewing the game properly, we'll find we played some very good football."
Temple believed a similar showing would give the Young Ferns a good chance of getting a result against Denmark.
Lamarre's goal was reward for a fine individual performance, especially in the first spell, when she, Tiffany Cameron and Nkem Ezurike proved a handful up front with their pace and skill.
After a run from midfield, Lamarree finished with a shot from the edge of the box, but the goal galvanised the New Zealanders, who were cheered on by a large and noisy 13,123-strong crowd.
Right back Caitlin Campbell was prominent in the fightback as was substitute Leah Gallie, who came on just after the goal was scored.
In the 70th minute, Campbell almost produced the equaliser when she struck the crossbar with a free kick from 30m out.
In all, New Zealand had 10 shots at goal in the second half and they continued pressing to the end, producing two chances in injury time.
Rosie White shot wide when she put through with a great pass from Annalie Longo before Hannah Wall's lob went agonisingly over the bar.
"From the goal onwards it was pretty much one-way traffic," Temple said.
"I think we proved to everybody we can play and we're exciting to watch."
Temple said No 1 goalkeeper Charlotte Wood, who was sidelined with a hip injury, was expected to be available for selection against Denmark.
Wood's replacement, Victoria Esson, produced the save of the match with a flying effort in the first half to push a Cameron shot around the corner.
Skipper Briony Fisher said the atmosphere at North Harbour Stadium was unlike anything she had experienced before and she was hoping for a repeat on Saturday.
"It was amazing," she said. "As soon as our team got the ball the whole crowd was behind us."
Opposition coach Bryan Rosenfeld admitted that Canada were lucky to have escaped defeat given the chances New Zealand created in the second spell.
"They were definitely putting pressure on us," he said.
"To get three points, regardless of the second half, I've just got to commend my team."
He said his players had never played in front of such a big crowd before and the build-up and media attention were also new for them.
"You can see the importance of this type of event for the future of women's football because the experience they get cannot be taught."
Rosenfeld said Cameron, stretchered off with 15 minutes to go, had a calf muscle problem that wasn't serious and she was likely to be available for Canada's next match.
- NZPA
