Same old story:
FOOTBALL FERNS IMPRESS IN DEFEAT TO AUSTRALIAA goal just before half time hands Australia the win despite a fine performance from the Football Ferns
Amber Hearn in action against Australia last year (photosport.co.nz)
June 13, 2013
AUCKLAND – A goal four minutes before half time was enough for Australia to defeat a Football Ferns squad that deserved something from a fine performance. Despite dominating the first half with a possession-based game it was a mix up in defence that put Australia’s Michelle Heyman through on goal to score the only goal of the game....
....“We kept the ball really well early in the game,” said Coach Tony Readings. “We were passing the ball well, moving it from side to side. We created chances but just couldn’t score when we were on top. It was encouraging that we were creating chances but just needed that extra quality in the final third.”
“There were lots of positive aspects of the performance; Abbey Erceg performed well in her first game as captain and Amber Hearn caused them lots of problems."
The Football Ferns continued to knock on the door in the second half with Australian keeper Brianna Davey in outstanding form to keep New Zealand at bay and keep the score 1-0 to Australia at the final whistle....
....Looking ahead Readings is in positive mood as he builds the team towards the FIFA World Cup in 2015 and Olympic Games in Rio de Janerio. “It was a strong performance from the team and the positive thing is that we still haven’t reached our potential. This was probably our best performance against Australia. We need to keep doing what we’re doing and it will pay dividends. “
Australia 1 (Michelle HEYMEN 41")
New Zealand 0
AIS Athletics Track, Canberra
Football Ferns: 1-Jenny BINDON (GK), 2-Ria PERCIVAL, 3-( Holly Patterson 83") Anna GREEN, 4-Katie HOYLE, 5-Abby ERCEG (c), 9-Amber HEARN, 10-Sarah GREGORIUS (Hannah Wilkinson "55), 12-Betsy HASSETT, 15-Rebekah STOTT, 18-Katie BOWEN (Annalie Longo "45), 20-Helen COLLINS (13-Rosie WHITE 66”)
Subs Not Used: 6-Megan LEE, 17, 21-Erin NAYLER (GK), 22-Sarah MCLAUGHLIN
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Looking forward to Sunday's second match against the Matildas (4pm live Sky Sport 4)
Hope they can keep the momentum going and build on last night's performance.
They'll have first-choice wing-back Ali Riley and midfielder Kirsty Yallop in the side for Sunday from their Swedish clubs (probably second best women's league in the world after Germany).
The team will be benefiting from so many playing in Germany - six of the squad play there. You can see that with Amber Hearn mentioned as a stand-out last night up front - had an impressive season in Germany for USV Jena.
Our first eleven mostly overseas-base pros or semi-pros now.
Erceg and Longo played the last national league season over the summer in Australia for Adelaide United and Sydney FC too.
