29 Oct 2008

Young Ferns beaten by Canada

5:47 am on 29 October 2008

New Zealand have been beaten 1-nil by Canada in the opening match of the FIFA under 17 women's football competition in Albany.

The New Zealanders did have numerous scoring opportunities, ussually from a fast break, but failed to get the ball in the back of the net.... much to the frustration of the 13 thousand fans on hand.

Canada constructed their attacks with more players and took the lead just after half time.

The Canadian coach Bryan Rosenfeld says they were lucky in the end to not come out with losing the game, with the chances that New Zealand had.

New Zealand created nine second half chances, including two in injury time that all but saved the match for the World Cup hosts.

Young Ferns coach Paul Temple says they kept trying and trying , but the goal just wouldn't come.

Captain Briony Fisher says they'll pick themselves back up for the next match against Denmark at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday... Denmark play Colombia today.

Also today in Christchurch Costa Rica play Germany and Korea play Ghana.