The Young Football Ferns exited the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup on Monday after falling 3-0 to Japan in their final Group C match in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Needing a victory from the clash at the National Stadium of Costa Rica to keep their quarter-final hopes alive, New Zealandset out to negate the Japanese side's possession rhythm.
Jitka Klimkova's team reverted to a 4-1-4-1 formation for the match which saw Japan make a fast start, asserting their dominance with the ball without creating regular clear scoring chances.
After 20 minutes, Japan did craft a good opening, getting to the byline before a cut back found Yui Hasegawa who slammed home from eight yards out.
The second half produced a similar theme as the Young Football Ferns worked hard to restrict the scoring opportunities of their opponents, their own attacking threat limited to quick counter opportunities via the pace outlets of Jade Parris, Martine Puketapu and Paige Satchell.
Japan doubled their lead from the penalty spot in the 71st minute after defender Elizabeth Anton handled the ball in the area, Rikako Kobayashi dispatching the spot kick and the Group C winners completed the job with almost the last kick of the game, Shiho Matsubara volleying in a cross in the third minute of stoppage time.
Before Monday's match, Japan had scored 12 goals in their two group games, including a 10-0 win over Paraguay.
In the other Group C match played on Monday, Spain secured second place, and a spot in the next phase, with a 7-1 win over Paraguay.
