Chile have beaten New Zealand 3-1 in the sides’ opening fixture at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India.
The South Americans showed their class with a couple of outstanding goals, while the New Zealanders showed fight with a second-half comeback.
Chile took the lead after 12 minutes when Constanza Oliver made a cutting run down the right and crossed for Ambar Figuera to finish well.
Ten minutes later, Oliver was brought down by goalkeeper Aimee Danieli as she bore down on goal.
Tali Sima Rovner Yudelevich sent Danieli the wrong way from the penalty spot to put Chile ahead 2-0.
New Zealand pulled back a goal seven minutes into the second half when forward Milly Clegg crashed a shot into the net from a Helena Errington corner.
But Chile restored their two-goal margin in the 64th minute when Anais Cifuentes San Juan struck a fierce shot from 35 metres that soared into the top of the New Zealand goal.
Main photo: New Zealand celebrate Clegg’s goal.
Result
Game played on Wednesday October 12, 2022 (NZT)
Chile 3 (Ambar Figuera 12′, Taii Rovner 22′ pen, Anals Cifuentes 64′)
New Zealand 1 (Milly Clegg 52′)
Match stats
(Chile / New Zealand)
Shots: 18 / 15
Shots on target: 9 / 9
Possession: 65% / 35%
Passes: 435 / 232
Pass accuracy: 64% / 45%
Fouls committed: 4 / 6
Yellow cards: 1 / 2
Corners: 4 / 4
Offsides: 2 / 1
Line-up
New Zealand
Aimee Danieli, Suya Haering, Marie Green, Ella McMillan, Manaia Elliott (c), Charlotte Mortlock, Ella McCann (Alexis Cook 61′), Helena Errington (Lara Colpi 73′), Kiara Bercelli (Olivia Page 73′), Milly Clegg (Lara Smith 83′), Ruby Nathan (Olivia Ingham 62′).
Group B
Watch highlights
Fixtures
New Zealand v Nigeria
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao
Friday October 14, 11.45pm (NZT)
Germany v New Zealand
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao
Monday October 17, 11.45pm (NZT)
The squad
(club, home federation, school)
Aimee Danieli; Auckland United FC; NRF; Epsom Girls Grammar School
Alexis Cook; Northern Rovers FC ; NRF; Westlake Girls High School
Charlotte Eagle; Melville United AFC; WaiBoP; Hamilton Girls High
Charlotte Mortlock; Cashmere Technical; Mainland; Burnside High School
Ella McMillan; Phoenix Academy; Capital; AUT
Ella McCann; FC Nelson; Mainland; Waimea College
Emily (Milly) Clegg; Auckland United FC; NRF; Mount Albert Grammar
Helena Errington; Western Suburbs; Capital; Wellington Girls College
Kiara Bercelli; Alamein FC; Mainland; Te Kura
Lara Smith; Wellington United; Capital; Wellington Girls College
Lara Colpi; Western Springs AFC; NRF; Epsom Girls Grammar School
Madeleine Iro; Cashmere Technical; Mainland; Christchurch Girls High School
Manaia Elliott; Melville United AFC; WaiBoP; St Peters Cambridge
Marie Green; Ellerslie AFC; NRF; Baradene College
Megan Simpson; Nomads United AFC; Mainland; St Andrews College
Olivia Ingham; Phoenix Academy; Capital; Onslow College
Olivia Page; Eastern Suburbs AFC; NRF; Baradene College
Rebekah Trewhitt; PN Marist FC; Central; St Peters College PN
Ruby Nathan; Auckland United FC; NRF; Baradene College
Suya Hearing; Northern Rovers FC; NRF; Rangitoto College
Zoe Benson; Eastern Suburbs AFC; NRF; Macleans College
About the tournament
The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup takes place from October 11-30 in India .
The Young Football Ferns were nominated to be Oceania Football Confederation’s representatives at this World Cup after the Oceania qualifiers could not take place due to the effects of the COVID pandemic.
In 2018, the Young Football Ferns created history when they were the first New Zealand national team to bring home a medal at a FIFA event, when they won the bronze medal at the U-17 Women’s World Cup in Uruguay.
The Young Football Ferns games will be broadcast on Sky Sport NZ.
Groups
Group A
India, United States, Morocco, Brazil
Group B
Germany, Nigeria, Chile, New Zealand
Group C
Spain, Columbia, Mexico, China
Group D
Japan, Tanzania, Canada, France
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