Ferns draw 1-1 with Zambia in warm-up game for Olympic Games tournament

New Zealand had the better of the game but failed to take their chances in a 1-1 draw with Zambia.

The friendly women’s international at the Stade Louis Darragon, Vichy, provided both sides with the chance to prepare for the Summer Olympics.

New Zealand rested Macey Fraser, Grace Jale and Indiah-Paige Riley, with acting head coach Michael Mayne adding his Olympic tournament reserves Michaela Foster, Annalie Longo, Murphy Sheaff and Claudia Bunge to the matchday squad.

READ MORE: Fraser and Jale expected to miss Ferns’ friendly against Zambia >>>>

Both coaches clearly used the match to prepare their squad, making full use of substitutions and positional changes.

Zambia’s best effort in the first half was a 35-metre shot from Ochumba Lubandji that went wide of Vic Esson’s right post.

The best chance of the first half went to New Zealand’s Milly Clegg, who was found by a Malia Steinmetz pass.

Clegg turned and got clear of two defenders and dribbled around goalkeeper Ngambo Muscsole, but her shot was cleared off the line by a desperate defender.

The second half started well for the Ferns, with Clegg creating havoc when she darted into the box.

Her low cross was met by Jacqui Hand but she couldn’t bundle the ball into the net; the ball rebounded to Katie Kitching and she was unable to capitalise.

In the 49th minute, Zambia went ahead when an Esther Siamfuko free kick on the right was met by Rhoda Chileshe whose powerful header flew past Esson and into the net.

New Zealand had territorial advantage and kept Zambia pinned in their own half for much of the second spell.

Their efforts paid off when New Zealand were awarded a penalty for handball when the Zambia defence struggled to clear a penalty box melee and the ball struck Siamfuko’s arm.

Kitching sent the ‘keeper the wrong way to slot the penalty inside the post.

The Sunderland winger almost scored her second soon after when her inswinging corner was misjudged by ‘keeper Muscsole, and the ball hit the far post.

Anna Leat replaced Esson in goal for the last 20 minutes and was called into action straight away, blocking a shot at close range.

With 10 minutes to go, Clegg’s shot from close was deflected over the bar by ‘keeper Muscsole.

Post-match interview

READ MORE: Ferns coach Michael Mayne: ‘Plenty we can learn for Olympic Games opener’ >>>>

Match highlights

WATCH: Highlights from Football Ferns’ 1-1 draw with Zambia >>>>

Result

Game played on Sunday July 14, 2024

New Zealand 1 (Katie Kitching 67′ pen)
Zambia 1 (Rhoda Chileshe 49′)

Line–ups

New Zealand

Vic Esson (Anna Leat 71′), CJ Bott, Ali Riley (Mackenzie Barry 46′), Rebekah Stott (Meikayla Moore 71′), Katie Bowen, Malia Steinmetz, Ally Green (Michaela Foster 62′), Kate Taylor, Katie Kitching, Jacqui Hand (Gabi Rennie 61′), Milly Clegg (Annalie Longo 83′).

Subs not used: Murphy Sheaff, Claudia Bunge, Meikayla Moore.

Head coach: Michael Mayne

Zambia

Ngambo Muscsole, Lushomo Mweemba, Esther Siamfuko, Pauline Zulu (Esther Muchinga 61′), Martha Tembo (Diana Banda 61′), Misozi Zulu (Hellen Chanda 80′), Kabange Mupopo, Racheal Nachula (Barbra Banda 73′), Avell Chitundu, Rhoda Chileshe (Mary Wilombe 61′), Ochumba Lubandji (Racheal Kundananji 72′).

Subs not used: Catherine Musonda, Eunice Sakala|, Vast Phiri.

Head coach: Bruce Mwape

Card

Yellow: Lushomo Mweemba.

Olympics tournament

New Zealand will play Canada, France and Colombia in their group games at the tournament.

The groups

# indicates current FIFA world ranking

Olympic Games fixtures

Games to be played on Friday July 26, 2024 (NZT)

Canada v New Zealand
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne, 3am (NZT)

France v Colombia
Stade de Lyon, Décines-Charpieu, 7am (NZT)

Games to be played on Monday July 29, 2024 (NZT)

New Zealand v Colombia
Stade de Lyon, Décines-Charpieu, 3am (NZT)

France v Canada
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne, 7am (NZT)

Games to be played on Thursday August 1, 2024 (NZT)

New Zealand v France
Stade de Lyon, Décines-Charpieu, 7am (NZT)

Colombia v Canada
Stade de Nice, Nice, 7am (NZT)

This story was first published on July 14, 2024.

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