Football Ferns caught in draw against Morocco
- Jun 10
- 2 min read
The New Zealand Football Ferns have endured a goalless draw against Morocco in Malaga, Spain.
The match was the first between the nations, with Morocco led by 2023 FIFA World Cup winning coach Jorge Vilda.
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The Ferns made a quick start to the friendly and forced early saves from Morocco’s goalkeeper in the opening minutes which included a curling shot from Milly Clegg just outside the box.
Vic Esson’s first involvement would come soon after, the Kiwi goalkeeper smothered a dangerous Moroccan attack as the Ford Football Ferns could’ve quite easily been a goal down despite their early dominance.
Esson would come to the rescue again in even more impressive fashion midway through the first half. The Ferns shot stopper making two diving saves to deny Morocco, her second stop one for the highlights reel as she spectacularly stretched to palm a long-range rocket onto the bar.
Esson’s efforts ensured the match remained goalless at the break.
New Zealand started the second half with intent and were nearly rewarded as Katie Kitching’s shot thundered against the crossbar.
Her strike bounced close to the goal line as replays suggested the ball could have crossed the line but without VAR or goal line technology match officials weren’t able to confirm the goal. Deven Jackson followed up the resulting rebound but was unable to guide her header home.
Morocco responded with a couple of warning shots of their own, but their attempts went wide of Vic Esson’s goal as the match remained goalless deep into the second half.
As the margins became finer, Claudia Bunge lwas booked for a foul as Morocco mounted a threatening attack in the 78th minute.
New Zealand pushed hard for a winner with fresh legs on the field. Substitute Jacqui Hand almost found the game’s winner in the 84th minute but volleyed high as Milly Clegg caused a chaos in the Moroccan penalty box.
The Football Ferns finished with a loss to Haiti and a draw with Morocco, showing once again showing plenty of promise, but not the result or goals when it counted.
Fulltime
Football Ferns 0
Morocco 0
