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NEW ZEALAND U21 WOMEN START THEIR TRI-SERIES OFF WITH CONVINCING WIN OVER
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The New Zealand U21 Women’s side
began their Australia Tri-Series in the best possible way with a
comprehensive 3-1 win over the Australian side. Olivia Shannon put
the Kiwis in front early on in the match with a 3rd-minute goal,
Hope Ralph then extended the lead with two late goals to ensure the
New Zealand side would start the series off in the best possible
way.
The New Zealand side started the
match looking confident and stringing together some great passes,
they were rewarded in the 3rd minute of the game when Olivia
Shannon found some space in the circle and rolled around the
Australia defender before putting a shot wide of the Australian
goalkeeper. New Zealand came close to doubling the lead through a
high Kaitlin Cotter drag flick, however, the opposition goalkeeper
was able to get across to the shot and deny the Kiwis.
Australia after being stunned in
the first half came out firing in the second and forced the New
Zealand side to absorb some significant pressure, the Kiwis kept
fighting and managed to construct some great attack as the second
half wore on. Hope Ralph found herself on the end of a rebound off
a New Zealand penalty corner which she slotted home to take the
lead to 2-0. The second goal from the Kiwis seemed to jolt the
Australian team to life as they began to get shot after shot on the
New Zealand team, eventually, the pressure resulted in Australia
finding their first goal of the match off a penalty corner
deflection. The New Zealand side stayed composed as Hope Ralph
would go on to score her second of the match off a penalty corner
deflection which sailed into the back of the net.
The New Zealand goalkeepers Kelly
Carline and Saascha Marsters were outstanding in the first match as
they were called on to keep a strong finishing Australia side at
bay.
New Zealand Coach Katie Glynn
commented “We were really happy with the first up effort from the
girls. We now have a short turn around and a lot more we can put
out on the pitch for the rest of the series. The ream will now
review, recover and look to progress in their next match against
India”.
New Zealand will return to the
turf for their second match today as they take on India.
New Zealand 3 (Olivia Shannon 3 min, Hope
Ralph 47, 52 min) Australia 1 (Aisling Utri 50 min) |
| CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS |
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