The Football Ferns have scored a 1-1 draw against Costa Rica at a windy Piedades de Santa Ana Stadium in Alajuela, Costa Rica.
Interim head coach Michael Mayne fielded a side with only five players retaining their starting spots from Paris 2024 as they try to build depth in the squad.
LATEST HEADLINES:
The squad for the tour included five uncapped players, one of whom—Perth Glory forward Kelli Brown—was rewarded with a starting debut.
The team lined up with a back three of Liz Anton, Claudia Bunge, and Kate Taylor, while Indiah-Paige Riley and Hannah Blake operated as wingbacks.
The Ferns started as the stronger side, controlling possession against the Central Americans, with Macey Fraser testing Costa Rican goalkeeper Noelia Bermúdez with an early shot.
As the first half progressed, the home side grew into the game, forcing Ferns goalkeeper Vic Esson into several impressive saves.
The deadlock was broken in the 20th minute when Costa Rican midfielder and primary attacking threat Priscila Chinchilla was played through on goal to finish with a deft touch, flicking the ball past Esson and into the net.
New Zealand pushed hard for an equalizer when Katie Kitching fired a long-range free kick that deflected off the crossbar just before halftime.
Moments later, the breakthrough came when Indiah-Paige Riley unleashed an angled shot from outside the box, looping the ball over the Costa Rican keeper to level the score at 1-1 heading into the break.
The Ferns carried their attacking momentum into the second half, with substitute Jacqui Hand testing the goalkeeper with a long-range effort just minutes after the restart.
While Esson was called upon to make another crucial save, the best chances fell to the Ferns, the best of which came when goalscorer Riley delivered a pinpoint cross to Kitching, but the midfielder’s shot fired over the bar.
The second half saw Maya Hahn and Maniana Elliot make their international debuts but despite finishing as the stronger side, the Ferns were unable to find the winning goal.
New Zealand face Costa Rica again on Wednesday, 26 February, at 11 am NZT (Tuesday, 25 February, at 4 pm local time).