27 Jun 2012

Football Ferns go down to Matildas

6:27 pm on 27 June 2012

The New Zealand women's football team has lost their second friendly against Australia, going down 2-0 in Wollongong.

The loss ends the Football Ferns' record-equalling nine-match unbeaten run.

Matildas striker Sarah Walsh scored a goal in each half as the Football Ferns paid the price for a string of wasted opportunities at WIN Stadium, including two first-half chances which hit the crossbar during a dominant opening for the visitors.

New Zealand were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty in first-half injury time when Thea Slatyer appeared to handle the ball in the penalty area, before Walsh blasted into the top left-hand corner early in the second period.

On Sunday the Ferns missed the chance to snap an 18-year winless streak against the Matildas, after being robbed of what would've been an historic victory when the hosts scored a last-minute equaliser.

The games are part of the Ferns' build-up to the Olympic Games.