Early goals costly as New Zealand lose to Austria at U-20 Women's World Cup

A much-improved performance was not enough to prevent New Zealand losing their second game at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in which they tumbled 3-1 to Austria.

Outplayed 7-0 by Japan in their opening game in Colombia, New Zealand needed to rebuild their confidence, at the very least.

The game started badly for the young Kiwis, falling two goals behind in the first quarter-hour.

Both goals were similar — set pieces the New Zealand defence failed to deal with.

In the first, in the 10th minute, a direct free kick was floated into the New Zealand penalty area and Sarah Gutmann was able to head the ball into the net, unchallenged.

Five minutes later, another free kick sailed into the area and the defenders could not get control or clear the ball, leaving Gutman to scramble the ball across the line for her second goal.

Despite the setbacks, New Zealand stayed resolute and improved as the half wore on.

As the game went into first-half stoppage time, Emma Pijnenburg broke through and was brought down by Austrian goalkeeper Mariella El Sherif.

*Emma Pijnenburg … brought down in the penalty box by the ‘keeper.*

The ‘keeper earned the game’s only yellow card and referee Natacha Konan pointed to the penalty spot.

Pijnenburg fired her spot kick to the right of El Sherif but the ‘keeper palmed it away.

New Zealand’s Kiara Bercelli stabbed the rebound into the net.

While she and teammates celebrated, the referee checked with the Video Support team monitoring the match; they advised her Bercelli had encroached into the area before the penalty was taken.

Bercelli’s effort was disallowed, and Austria were awarded a free kick.

(Officials at the tournament are trialling Video Support (VS) as an alternative to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system).

In the second half, Austria created the better chances but New Zealand pushed forward in an attempt to get back into the game.

*Valentina Maedl slots the ball home for Austria’s third goal.*

However, Austria struck again in the 67th minute when Valentina Maedl cleanly finished a move, finding the net despite New Zealand ‘keeper Maddie Iro getting a touch to the ball.

Coach Leon Birnie worked his subs bench in an effort to rescue something form the game and his team’s reward came almost on full time.

An outswinging corner was powerfully met by striker Milly Clegg whose header tore into the Austrian net.

Main photo: Milly Clegg … scored New Zealand’s late goal.

The match stats showed Austria had nine goal attempts, six of which were on target, compared to New Zealand’s four efforts of which three were on target.

In the day’s early game, Japan beat Ghana 4-1.

This leaves Japan and Austria certain of going through to the knockout stages of the tournament.

New Zealand’s hopes of staying in Colombia next week depend on beating Ghana on Monday, and then having one of the best records of third-placed teams in the groups.

Line-ups

Austria

Mariella El Sherif, Sarah Gutmann, Tatjana Weiss, Chiara Dangelo (Nadine Seidl 77′), Laura Spinn, Greta Spinn, Hannah Fankhauser (Almedina Sisic 45′), Almedina Sisic, Anna Wirnsberger (Alisa Ziletkina 77′), Nicole Ojukwu, Magdalena Rukavina (Julia Keutz 62′), Valentina Maedl

Subs not used: Christina Schoenwetter, Larissa Rusek, Isabell Schneiderbauer, Jovana Cavic, Anna Holl, Emilia Purtscher.

Card

Yellow: El Sherif (45+2′)

New Zealand

Maddie Iro, Zoe McMeeken (Rebekah Trewhitt 64′), Ella McMillan, Ella Findlay (Marie Green 83′), Suya Haering (Olivia Page 78′), Emma Pijnenburg, Kiara Bercelli, Helena Errington, Milly Clegg, Manaia Elliott (captain), Daisy Brazendale (Olivia Ingham 78′).

Subs not used: Aimee Danieli, Amber Bennett, Lara Colpi, Zoe Benson, Ruby Nathan.

Officials

Referee: Natacha Konan (Cote D’Ivoire)
Assistant referees: Carine Atezambong Fomo (Cameroon), Fides Bangurambona (Barundi)
Fourth official: Lizzet Amairany García Olvera (Mexico)