The Ford Football Ferns returned to international action this morning, following the home FIFA Women’s World Cup, with a 3-0 defeat against Chile at Santiago’s Estadio Bicentenario de La Florida.
The Ferns started brightly, with Indiah-Paige Riley slotting the ball through to Gabi Rennie in the first 5 minutes, but the forward’s shot went over the bar.
Riley then had a chance of her own not long after but couldn’t find the net.
Chile grew into the game as the first half went on and took the lead in the 27th minute. Forward Daniela Zamora was fastest to react to a shot rebounding off the bar of Vic Esson’s goal for an easy finish from close range.
Within three minutes Chile had another. A lofted ball, after some neat passing in the middle of the park, found Yenny Acuña who used her strength to hold off the Ferns defenders and score the second.
Half-time saw the introduction of attackers Grace Jale and Milly Clegg but it was Chile who found the net again first after another shot rebounded off the Ferns goal for Yessenia López to finish.
The Ferns were pushing to get back into the game but suffered a major blow in the 55th minute when Hannah Wilkinson saw red after reacting to a challenge and seemingly making contact with the assistant referee.
Down to 10 players, the team kept pushing but couldn’t find the breakthrough.
Following the game, head coach Jitka Klimková reflected on the performance:
“Well, I know we can do better than that. That’s no doubt about it.
“We remember, it still fresh in our heads, how we performed during the World Cup and what we’ve seen today is not even close.
“It was a lot of mistakes, we gave the ball away even without the pressure. It was a lot of turnovers today and if you are giving the ball away, then of course you are on your back foot and you have to defend.
“Huge credit to Chile because they played really, really interesting and quick football that led to three goals and I have to say it’s a very strong team that we faced today.”
Chile – 3 (Daniela Zamora 27’, Yenny Acuña 30’, Yessenia López 47’)
Ford Football Ferns – 0
