Soccer: Junior Football Ferns edge closer to Japan

The Football Ferns are one step closer to qualifying for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Japan. Photo / Getty Images.

The Junior Football Ferns banged ten goals past New Caledonia at the OFC U-20 Women's Championships at Centre Park in Mangere to take another step towards qualifying for this year's FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Japan.

New Zealand rattled six past Papua New Guinea on Tuesday and can now qualify for the 16 nation finals by avoiding defeat in their final match on Monday against Samoa, who sit bottom of the group after a 5-1 defeat by New Caledonia in their opening match.

Rosie White, Katie Rood, Kate Loye, Hannah Wilkinson and substitute Georgia Brown all scored twice each as Brown scored her first goals for at international level for New Zealand in an effective display that has the Junior Football Ferns on course to defend their title.

"There were patches where we were really good, we moved the ball really quickly, especially when there was a bit of rain that really helped our passing game, but then we had our moments. The girls have set really high standards and they'll be disappointed in the manner in which we conceded our goal. We'll have to look at that for our long term development but on the whole really pleased," said New Zealand coach Aaron McFarland.

New Zealand began the game in business-like fashion with Katie Rood opening the scoring after just 11 minutes. Within 45 seconds Hannah Wilkinson doubled the score before Rosie White struck a sublime right foot shot on the angle past goalkeeper Aurore Hnawia on 25 minutes to give the Junior Ferns some breathing space. Some complacent defending allowed New Caledonia striker Marie Heutro to pull a goal back when she lifted the ball over Erin Nayler from close range three minutes later.

The Junior Ferns responded with three rapid fire goals in an explosive four minute burst as first Loye, then White, and then Loye again netted to extend New Zealand's lead to 6-1. White - who has scored four international hat-tricks at all levels for New Zealand - had an opportunity to make it five from the penalty mark just before halftime but saw her penalty caught by Hnawia after pushing it onto the crossbar.

But New Zealand resumed the scoring nine minutes into the second half courtesy of Katie Rood and Hannah Wilkinson notched their second goals before a re-jigged line up saw Rood replaced by forward Georgia Brown and Three Kings United player cashed in with a brace of goals each to finish the scoring.

The satisfaction of victory was tempered by a booking for Katie Bowen late in the second half.

With qualification for the World Cup now within reach, McFarland said the Junior Ferns would approach their final game with Samoa with a positive attitude.

"Samoa brings a different sort of challenge but we'll look to dominate possession and dictate the nature of the game," he said.

New Zealand meets Samoa in its final game on Saturday where a win will see the Junior Football Ferns advance to the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Japan in September.

That match kicks off at 3pm, with Papua New Guinea meeting New Caledonia at 1pm.
On Friday, the Young Football Ferns can book their passage to the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Azerbaijan by avoiding defeat in their final game against Papua New Guinea.

- Herald Online