New Zealand’s late goal upsets Ghana’s Princesses
Substitute Tayla Christensen scored a dramatic last-minute winner to help New Zealand to clinch a hard-fought 1-0 win over an unlucky Ghana on the opening day of Group C action at the 2016 FIFA Women’ World Cup.
Advertisement
The match was an entertaining affair played at a good tempo throughout, but New Zealand’s Nadia Olla was the busier of the two goalkeepers and produced several key saves. The Oceania side started brightly but Ghana took a clear stranglehold as the first half wore on.
Ghana’s Black Princesses completely dominated the game in the second half and could have taken the lead but the bravery of Goalkeeper Olla denied them the goals.
The Princesses were lively in possession and made numerous successful forays down the flanks, constantly looking dangerous from crosses and corners.
By half-time New Zealand goalkeeper Olla had made half a dozen saves. The best chance of the opening half saw Jane Ayieyam volley a cross over the crossbar from close-range, narrowly failing to convert what would have been a spectacular goal.
Ghana kept knocking at the door but their efficiency in the attacking third was poor. The clearest opening of the match saw Wasila Diwura-Soale latch onto a midfield turnover and ran clear, but Olla came out to make a brave diving block at the feet.
The Junior Football Ferns punished them for the inefficiency, teaching them how to finish off when they finally broke the deadlock a minute from time. Substitute Christensen pushed her way through a static back four and rounded the keeper to score a much-celebrated winner.
USA were forced to settle for a draw after failing to pick their way through an immaculately organised French defence while Mexico also got off to a flying start by recording a comfortable win over South Korea.
