US blitzes NZ women
WELLINGTON: There was no fairytale finish for the Football Ferns in Cincinnati yesterday, as the Kiwis were thumped 50 by the world No 1 United States team in a ruthlessly clinical display.
The 19thranked New Zealanders had hoped for improvement after losing 31 four days ago in Colorado, in the first game of their twomatch tour.
But after keeping the US scoreless for the opening halfhour, the Football Ferns conceded two goals in the 10 minutes before halftime, then three more in the second spell for a dispiriting defeat.
Coach Tony Readings admitted the result was disappointing, particularly given the Ferns’ encouraging showing in Denver.
‘‘When you play these teams, you want to make sure you perform really, really well and hope that maybe they’re not quite hitting their straps,’’ he said.
‘‘I think it was the other way round today.’’
Limited to only the occasional foray on goal, the Kiwis still managed to keep the US scoreless until the 36th minute.
A searching through ball from Sam Mewis found substitute midfielder Lindsey Horan, who caught keeper Erin Nayler off her line with a welldirected looping header.
Nineteenyearold striker Mallory Pugh doubled the lead two minutes from halftime, finishing off some slick passing with a cool finish on Nayler’s near post.
Alex Morgan took barely 30 seconds from the restart to extend the US lead, then Lynn Williams headed home its fourth in the 55th minute.
Morgan slammed in her second from close range in the 69th minute, and the Kiwis then hung on desperately to keep the US scoreless for the final 20 minutes.
Readings said there were plenty of lessons to learn from the twomatch tour from a squad which is rebuilding.
‘‘There’s been some major positives on and off the pitch,’’ he said.
‘‘There’s a lot of good things and there’s a lot we need to work on. We knew coming in it would be tough, and sometimes the harshest lessons you learn the most from.
‘‘We’re in a bit of a transition, this team, at the moment, so we need to find these things out.’’