The Football Ferns have bowed out of the women’s Olympic football tournament, going down to hosts France 2-1.
Midfielder Kate Taylor scored New Zealand's equalising goal just before halftime at Lyon's Groupama Stadium on Wednesday (Thursday NZ Time) as the Football Ferns finished winless in Group A play.
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New Zealand head coach Michael Mayne made three changes to the side that played Colombia, with Malia Steinmetz, Milly Clegg and Mackenzie Barry all dropping to the bench, replaced by Annalie Longo, Grace Jale and Michaela Foster.
France came into this game already qualified for the quarterfinals, and reiterated their position when they opened the scoring in the 22nd minute.
New Zealand goalkeeper Anna Leat was unfortunate for the opening goal as Marie-Antoinette Katoto’s powerful header squirmed under the adjusting goalkeeper’s body.
Against the run of play, New Zealand tied it up in the 43rd minute, with a wonder strike from Taylor.
The former Wellington Phoenix player, who confirmed her move to French Première Ligue club Dijon FCO on the eve of the Olympic Games, received CJ Bott’s throw-in in space outside the penalty area, and caught Pauline Peyraud-Magnin completely unaware with a looping half-volley.
Parity was only restored for a short period, however, as Katoto doubled her tally shortly after the restart. Sakina Karchaoui drove down the left and crossed in for the PSG striker to net the winner.
From there the lead never looked likely to slip, with France comfortably in control as they searched unsuccessfully for a third.
France 2 (Marie-Antoinette Katoto 22’, 49’ New Zealand 1 (Kate Taylor 43’). HT: 1-1
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