Video: Long-range goal by Phoenix youngster provides highlight for Junior Ferns

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Hawkes Bay teenager Charlotte Lancaster scored a spectacular long-range goal for her New Zealand U-20 team in their opening game against Australia’s Young Matildas in Canberra.

A couple of minutes before half-time, the 18-year-old Wellington Phoenix scholarship player found herself in space more than 30 metres from goal.

She lofted her shot perfectly over the head of a despairing Australian goalkeeper to score.

Main photo: Teammates rush to congratulate Lancaster after her goal reduces Australia’s lead to 3-1.

Unfortunately, her goal was the bright spot of the night for the Junior Ferns as they lost 5-1 to Australia whose goals were scored by Jynaya Dos Santos, Sarah Hunter, Daniella Galic, Kahli Johnson and Sheridan Gallagher.

It was the first time the two countries have played friendlies in women’s age-group international football since 2013.

For the Gemma Lewis-coached New Zealand side, the game provided an early benchmark in preparations for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup to be held in Costa Rica in August.

New Zealand’s 23-player squad includes seven players who played for the Phoenix in their inaugural A-League season.

Watch Lancaster’s goal

Here’s the full game from Canberra but we’ve set the timings so the video starts with Lancaster’s goal:

Game 2

Australia v New Zealand
Sunday April 10, 2022
Viking Stadium, Canberra
Kick off: 4.00pm (NZT)

New Zealand U-20 squad

Alyssa Whinham; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ
Aniela Jensen; University of the Pacific, USA
Ava Pritchard; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ
Brianna Edwards; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ
Charlotte Lancaster; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ
Charlotte Wilford-Carroll; Eastern Suburbs AFC, NZ
Chloe Bellamy; West Coast Rangers FC, NZ
Emma Pijnenburg; Western Springs AFC, NZ
Jana Niedermayr; Eastern Suburbs AFC, NZ
Jemma Catherwood; Wellington United AFC, NZ
Kate Duncan; Auckland United FC, NZ
Kate Taylor; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ
Kitty Jacob; Western Springs AFC, NZ
Macey Fraser; Wellington Phoenix Academy, NZ
Marisa van der Meer; Melbourne City FC, NZ
Milly Clegg; Auckland United FC, NZ
Murphy Sheaff; Jacksonville University, USA
Olivia Ingham; Wellington Phoenix Academy, NZ
Rene Wasi; Unattached
Rylee Godbold; Hamilton Wanderers AFC, NZ
Te Reremoana Walker; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ
Tui Dugan; Arizona State University, USA
Zoe McMeeken; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ

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