Canada 1
New Zealand 0
KEY POINTS:
Canada struck first blood with a plucky 1-0 win in the opening game of Fifa's inaugural under-17 womens World Cup at North Harbour Stadium last night but the brave New Zealanders lost no friends in turning in a magnificent effort which deserved better.
Off the field, the game was a winner too with a hugely-satisfying first-up crowd of 13,123 bringing a smile to Fifa officials and local organisers. As a comparison, the opening game at the 1999 under-17 mens championship between New Zealand and the United States attracted 14,103.
Canadian coach Bryan Rosenfeld was happy to escape with the points.
"We were lucky in the end we did not lose," said Rosenfeld. "They [New Zealand] did really well. We probably only had one and half chances in the second half. I'm happy to get the three points."
Never prepared to play second fiddle to the hotly-favoured Canadians, New Zealand began strongly as Hannah Wall, Annalie Longo and Claudia Crasborn won the key midfield battle.
That hard-won possession ensured a steady supply of ball for Rosie White and Sarah McLaughlin but forays deep into Canadian territory were rare as Canada's back four gave up little.
The visitors soon created a handful of half chances for front-runners Tiffany Cameron, Nkem Ezurike and Rachel Lamarre but they too found the path to goal well-marshalled.
Even under pressure New Zealand's defensive quartet admirably held their shape. Evan as the pace began to tell late in the first half centre-backs Bridgette Armstrong and captain Bri Fisher held firm combining well with fullbacks Caitlin Campbell and Rebecca Brown.
In the New Zealand goal, Vicky Esson, pitched in when Charlotte Wood failed to recover from her training game injury, settled quickly to the biggest challenge of her career.
New Zealands domination was reflected in their 56 per cent share of possession. The corner count was won 5-4 by New Zealand with the Canadians marginally ahead in shots on goal.
The second half produced early corners for both teams. Lamarre was just wide with a cheeky back-heel at one end while at the other, from the first of two quick Campbell corners, McLaughlin headed over.
The visitors then mounted their only meaningful attack releasing Lamarre who carved through, and, from outside the penalty area, hit low and away from Esson for their 54th-minute lead.
The Canadians had to rally defensively as Campbell rattled the bar with a long-range freekick and White, from outside the penalty area fired just over Genevieve Richards goal.
The last quarter was all New Zealand with three or four excellent chances just failing to find their mark and claim a richly-deserved point as White and Wall just failed to turn gilt-edged chances into goals.
Fisher warned the Danes and Colombia, who play today, that as far as New Zealand is concerned, it is not over. "We can still make it," she said.
