Malawi New Zealand
lead before halftime. Then in the third quarter, we just took our foot off the pedal and didn’t do our jobs.”
Last night’s loss is among the worst in Ferns history. The ambition of winning a Games medal looks less likely by the day.
Malawi goal shoot Mwai Kumwenda nailed 41 of her 46 attempts. New Zealand goal attack Maria Folau scored 31 from 39 and goal shoot Te Paea Selby-Rickit 15 from 17.
However, despite the shock and horror expressed on social media by netball fans, the loss has been coming for some time.
The Silver Ferns had a disappointing start to this year and struggled to stage a convincing comeback, despite claiming to have made all the necessary changes.
Failing to defend their Quad Series and Taini Jamison Series titles, the Ferns’ confidence has wavered from match to match.
Southby admitted that a sense of panic had crept back in, contributing to the defeat, but said the best thing they could do was pick themselves up and look ahead to the rest of the tournament.
“I know they won’t be happy with what they put out there, but it’s about picking yourself up.
“I don’t think it’s over. We’ve got another two games in our pool and that’s what we’ve got to focus on, one game at a time and that’s all we can do, take the learnings from [last night] and pick ourselves up and go again.”
Southby said the New Zealand players had failed to show “they really wanted it” last night.
The Silver Ferns will have a shot at redemption tonight when they face Scotland in their fourth preliminary round match, before playing the formidable English on Wednesday.
If they win both, they have a shot at making the semifinals.
But depending on other results, if they lose one, their campaign could be all over.