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| New Zealand defender Sarah Morton (2) challenging Ghana forward Sandra Owusu-Ansah (9) for the ball picture by Mark Talia Post Courier Photographer |
By FIDELIS SUKINA
A brave New Zealand U20 Womens team beat a dominant Ghana
team in the 89th minute with a goal to substitute Tyler Christensen on Monday 14th November 2016
The second match of Group C in the FIFA U20 Womens World Cup
at the PNG Football stadium yesterday was a physical encounter that New Zealand
anticipated when they took on the Black Princesses of Ghana , New Zealand opened the
match with shots at the goal mount just minutes into the game, but it was Ghana
who proved they were more physical and skillful than the U20 Football Ferns.
As the game progressed it was Ghana who dominated the first
half play with their athleticism and speed with Ghana mid field Wasila
Diwura-Soale and Forward Sandra Owusu-Ansah stepping up on occasion running
past New Zealand Defenders Samantha Murrell and Captain Meikayla Moore to get
shots at the keeper, but to no avail as both teams finished the first half
scoreless.
The Substitutes for
New Zealand stepped up in the second half as both teams felt the humidity of
Port Moresby get to them, but it was New Zealand who lasted in the dying
minutes with Substitute Forward Tyler Christensen getting past Ghana Goal
Keeper Victoria Agyei who rushed out of the goal mount leaving Christensen to
place one behind the net in the 89th minute.
Ghana took a staggering 15 shots at goal with only 6 making
it on target while New Zealand for their efforts made 7shots at goal with only
three making the target.
New Zealander Paige
Satchell who was a head ache on the Ghana back line was given the Live Your
Goals player of the match award for the match for her running game that got her
dribbling past Ghanaian defense in the first and second half.
New Zealand Coach Leon Birnie said they did their home work
and knew what they were up against and told them to be bravein the moments that
actually mattered.
“I am proud of the girl’s performance they were resilient in
the first half, at the drinks break I told them we needed brave players and
they delivered.
“We researched the Ghana team and we knew they would be
athletic and physical, but we hung in there in the right moments to win,”Birnie
Ghana coach Mas-Ud Dramani said they had all the positive
aspects to win but the humidity and a few rookie mistakes by the team cost them
the game.
“It was a high class youth football match, with high
intensity, but the humidity sapped our energy at times, but we controlled the
well and attacked well.
“But with youth players they make individual mistakes as
expected, we just have to continue to keep focus and direction towards the next
game.” Dramani said
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