16 May 2012

New Zealander footballers make winning start

3:10 pm on 16 May 2012

The New Zealand U-20 women's football team have made a winning start to their tour of the United States after defeating senior club team the Los Angeles strikers 3-2 in LA.

The Strikers, who play in the second tier of American women's football, took a sixth minute lead but the New Zealanders levelled the score in the 19th minute before scoring from a penalty 10 minutes later, to claim a 2-1 half-time lead.

The lead lasted just four minutes into the second half but the Junior Football Ferns stabbed home a winner with 18 minutes remaining.

The New Zealanders are using the two matches against club sides, they meet the Pali Blues on Friday, to build towards Sundays U-20 international against the United States.

The FIFA U-20 women's world Cup begins in Japan in August.