Ferns fade in Korean defeat
The Football Ferns showed some encouraging signs of improvement but not enough to avoid defeat in South Korea last night.
Jacqui Hand gave the Ferns the lead with a well-placed header in the 25th minute, her first goal for the side in her third international.
That proved the catalyst for a 20-minute spell during which the Ferns produced some of their best football in recent memory.
They dominated territory and possession, played with composure and confidence and denied the hosts any decent scoring chances.
But Korea increased their intensity after halftime, equalising around the hour mark and taking the lead with 10 minutes remaining. The Ferns faded and the fast-finishing Koreans ran out worthy winners.
Still, this was a significant step up from the Ferns’ efforts against Canada a month ago, even allowing for the difference in world rankings (Canada
are sixth, Korea 18th and New Zealand 23rd). The first match in Canada ended in a 5-1 defeat most notable for some calamitous defending; the second was also a loss, albeit a muchimproved 1-0.
Ferns coach Jitka Klimkova can at least feel a degree of satisfaction with aspects of last night’s performance, if not the result.
There is still much to do before the next Fifa Women’s World Cup kicks
off in New Zealand and Australia in 20 months but at least her side appear to be tracking in the right direction.
As has invariably been the case with the Ferns, they initially struggled to retain possession and string together passes. The challenge is to produce more of the moves that led to the opening goal.
The Ferns broke well from the edge of their penalty area, with a ball out from Meikayla Moore, and Olivia Chance driving the play forward. Ali Riley curled in a cross from the left and Hand glanced a header low into the bottom right corner.
The goal triggered a great spell for the Ferns but the second half was a different story and the 59th-minute equaliser was no surprise. The most disappointing aspect for Klimkova will be its simplicity — a ball played up the line caught out Riley in a way a player of her experience shouldn’t be. Choe Yu Ri carried the ball unopposed almost to the near post before squaring it to a cluster of three players at the far, where Moore deflected it in from about a metre out.
The hosts hit the front in the 81st minute when Lim Seonjoo was left unmarked at the far post for a simple headed goal.
The Ferns play Korea again on Tuesday night — the challenge will be to produce an improved performance as they did in Canada.
South Korea 2 (Meikayla Moore own goal 59, Lim Seonjoo 81) New Zealand 1 (Jacqui Hand 25). HT: 0-1.