Young guns make history
New Zealand players were singing Don’t Stop Believin in the Estadio Charru´ a changing rooms after their history making win at the Fifa Under-17 Women’s World Cup.
The Young Football Ferns qualified for the knockout stage for the first time after backing up their opening 1-0 victory over Finland with a gritty come-frombehind 2-1 win against tournament hosts Uruguay in Montevideo on Saturday.
‘‘There’s no words to describe how we are feeling right now,’’ a delighted New Zealand forward Grace Wisnewski said after the match.
‘‘We set goals at the start of the tournament and this was our goal; to get out of the pool. To be able to say we’ve made history for our country is just incredible.’’
With Ghana beating Finland 3-1 in the previous match, New Zealand needed only a win against Uruguay to guarantee their place in the top eight. They were made to work hard for the three points by an energetic Uruguay side cheered on by more than 5000 vocal supporters.
New Zealand were on the back foot early when Uruguay’s impressive winger Belen Aquino scored just eight minutes into the game, poking in the rebound when Esperanza Pizarro’s initial effort ricocheted off the under side of the crossbar.
Both of New Zealand’s goals were scored in similar fashion with Wisnewski and Kelli Brown putting away second chances after Maggie Jenkins struck the post twice within a 10-minute period midway through the first half.
Brown’s goal was her second in as many matches, having also scored the matchwinner in the 1-0 win against Finland.
New Zealand should have been awarded a penalty in the 43rd minute when a defender stood on the foot of midfielder Macey Fraser as she waltzed her way into the 18-yard box. Referee Salima Mukanshanga did not see the contact and waved play on.
‘‘Everyone sees things differently and where I stood I thought it was a penalty,’’ coach Leon Birnie said. ‘‘You’ve just got to move on. It’s a part of the game that you get decisions and you don’t get decisions.’’
Although no goals were scored in a second half of few genuine opportunities, New Zealand’s defence remained on high alert as Aquino continued to get in behind their fullbacks until she was substituted due to injury in the 66th minute.
As soon as the fulltime whistle blew, the New Zealand players sprinted to the stands to celebrate with their parents as many have made the long trip across to Montevideo to support their children.
With both teams sitting on six points, New Zealand’s next match against Ghana will now determine who qualifies top of Group A. Finland and Uruguay have both been eliminated.
‘‘We’ve got a few days to regroup and refocus,’’ Birnie said. ‘‘What we’ll do for the next game, I think you’ll find out when the line-up comes out. We’ve got another game and we’ve got to go and perform no matter who takes the pitch that day. After that we’ve got the quarterfinal, which is the big match for us.’’