Football Ferns claim draw with Spain

The Football Ferns fought back from a two-goal deficit to claim a 2-2 draw against 15th-ranked Spain in Guadalajara on Wednesday. Photo / Getty Images.

The Football Ferns fought back from a two-goal deficit to claim a 2-2 draw against 15th-ranked Spain in Guadalajara today.

Having fallen behind to Vero Boquete's 20th minute strike, the New Zealand side - ranked 18th in the world - faced a 2-0 score line seven minutes into the second half as Sonia Bermudez doubled the host's lead.

But Hannah Wilkinson's 22nd goal for her country just after the hour mark gave the Football Ferns a lifeline and when substitute Amber Hearn scored her 45th goal in her 95th international with eight minutes remaining the visitors were back on level terms.

The Football Ferns were denied a late winner when substitute Jasmine Pereira - who also played a hand in setting up Hearn's equaliser - saw her goal ruled out for offside.
Ferns coach Tony Readings said after the side endured a strong spell of pressure from Spain in the first period, they began to find their rhythm.

"The good thing for us is that we were under pressure for a lot of the first half in the first 30 minutes but we just stuck in there, we defended well and we remained resolute," Readings said.

"When we get to the World Cup there are going to be patches of the game where we have to do that.

"As the game wore on we got more and more into it and then we had a goal disallowed in the last minute, we could have won the game."

Readings felt his side found themselves behind in part because it took time to get up to speed against a team playing at a high tempo.

"It was a very quick pitch and we played against probably one of the quickest possession teams we've come up against for a long time and I think it took us a while to adjust to that pace.

"Once we adjusted to that, which took us a bit longer than we would have liked, we proved we can match it with these teams.

"We can't wait that long in the second game so hopefully we've made that adjustment now so we can start the game as we finished it."

As with the second half comeback against Australia in Auckland last month, substitutes played a key role in changing the momentum with Hearn and Pereira's energy helping turn the tide.

"It was great to be able to bring Amber of the bench today," Readings said.

"She typically starts for us and when she came on she did make a big impact and the energy she bought and some of the quality she bought in possession as well, it was great to bring someone of her calibre off the bench.

"Jasmine Pereira came on for the last 20 minutes and made a big impact and set up the goal and was unlucky to be ruled offside for the last goal."

Summing up the feeling in the group after the final whistle, Readings said while the team were pleased to get back level, there is a strong desire for more.

"It's similar to the reaction after the games we had at home in February. We're probably more content than happy because we know we're capable of beating these teams," Readings said.

"What we've been trying to do for the last two and a bit years is learn how to beat this calibre of team consistently. We keep getting better and closer but we want to be beating them more regularly.

"We won't be really happy until we are consistently putting in the performances and getting the results we want and the closer we get to the World Cup that becomes more important.

"We're happy with some aspects but some parts we aren't happy with because we know we're capable of more."

Meanwhile, midfielder Katie Hoyle played her 99th game for New Zealand in the draw.