Junior Ferns start Cup with creditable draw

The Junior Football Ferns hung on for a draw in their opening game of the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.

New Zealand played out a 1-1 draw with Mexico after letting their early lead slip in their first Group B match.

But despite scoring first they will be relieved to have escaped with a point after being largely dominated by one of the tournament favourites.

The Junior Football Ferns were under the pump for most of the match, with Mexico outshooting the Junior Football Ferns 22-5.

The Junior Football Ferns opened the scoring in spectacular fashion after a long-range strike from midfielder Grace Wisnewski took a deflection and wrong-footed goalkeeper Celeste Mendoza.

Wisnewski drove forward from midfield and unleashed a powerful shot from well outside the penalty area. The ball ricocheted off the back of Mexico defender Carol Cazares Carrera and dribbled over the goal line.

It was credited as an own goal. Mexico hit back on the stroke of halftime after Aniela Jensen was unable to deal with a dangerous ball across the face of goal from Andrea Flores.

Jensen stuck a boot out in an attempt to intercept the ball but did not make clean enough contact, allowing Anette Vazquez to gather possession and pick out the bottom right corner.

New Zealand rode their luck in the second half, with Mexico creating more than enough chances to win the game.

Murphy Sheaff, preferred ahead of Brianna Edwards, was kept busy in the New Zealand goal, but she justified her start with a strong showing and made one particularly impressive save, tipping the ball over the bar following a fierce shot at the far post.

Mexico attacker Natalia Mauleon was also guilty of two bad misses, failing to hit the target from close range twice in as many minutes.

The Junior Football Ferns had only one clear goalscoring chance in the second half but were unable to capitalise on it.

Milly Clegg fired a shot straight at the goalkeeper from the edge of the box after being slipped through by Alyssa Whinham.

The Junior Football Ferns’ next match is against Germany, who suffered a surprise 1-0 loss to Colombia in their first match, on Sunday morning.