Football Ferns begin tour with loss to Mexico
- harrisonryburn18
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Football Ferns have started the October international window and their North American tour with a 0-1 defeat to Mexico in Mexico City.
The only goal of the game came from a Victoria Esson error inside the opening ten minutes, and the Ferns struggled to rally in an ultimately disappointing effort.
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It was New Zealand’s first game in four months, and just their fifth of the year, compared to Mexico’s nine coming into the contest.
Esson came off her line to punch a corner delivery, but got nowhere near the ball, allowing Aaliyah Farmer to score the game’s only goal in the 10th minute.
The Ferns managed to settle, but hardly got out of their own half for much of the 90 minutes, and failed to create chances for Milly Clegg and Kelli Brown as such.
Esson was forced into action when Jacqui Hand gave the ball away inside her own half, tipping a shot over the crossbar from Charlyn Corral.
New Zealand’s best effort of the game came just after the hour mark, Brown stinging the palms of Esthefanny Barreras from long-range.
Mexico really should have added one or two more goals to their overall tally though, creating numerous chances inside the final half hour.
Esson tipped a shot from Jacqueline Ovalle onto the crossbar, who also pulled a shot inches wide of the right post from the top of the box.
The Football Ferns will get the chance to deliver an improved display when they meet Mexico again on Monday NZT, before playing the USA three days later.
Mexico: 1 (Aaliyah Farmer 10’)
New Zealand: 0
HT: 1-0
