Midfielder Olivia Chance and goalkeeper Vic Esson took the individual plaudits as the Football Ferns drew 1-1 with Korea Republic in Christchurch.
In an improved performance by New Zealand, the Ferns led through a Chance goal, while Esson saved a late penalty to keep her side unbeaten.
The draw means Korea take the two-match series, having won the first game 1-0 last Saturday.
Korea created the first real chance of the match in the 10th minute when Hwa-yeon shot from just inside the area, forcing goalkeeper Esson to tip the ball over the bar to safety.
New Zealand’s breakthrough came three minutes later when — to the relief of the crowd and teammates alike — Olivia Chance scored the Ferns’ first goal on home soil in five years.
Main photo: Chance sends a message to the crowd as she and Betsy Hassett celebrate her goal.
Fern Gabi Rennie stole the ball after a Korea mix-up and she was able to shoot with just goalkeeper Jung-mi to beat. The ‘keeper blocked the shot but it fell to Chance who smashed the ball into the middle of the net, sparking a team celebration.
It was immediately followed by an impromptu team huddle, with veteran Katie Bowen laying down the law.
The Ferns held their own for the rest of the half but had a scare two minutes before the break when Geum-min ballooned a shot over the bar when she could have done better.
The sides turned around with the New Zealanders 1-0 ahead.
The Koreans came out strongly in the second spell and worked the flanks.
Ten minutes into the half, their pressure paid off when Sei-gi received the ball from a corner and fired a stinging shot into the box and Ye-eun diverted it past Esson with a clever flick of her heel.
With six minutes to go, South Korea were awarded a penalty when Esson dived at the feet of Geum-min, bringing her down.
Hwa-yeon stepped up to take the spot kick but Esson read the shot and palmed it away to safety.
The sides went at each other in search of a winner, and the crowd responded with vocal support for both sides.
But the high energy atmosphere deflated when Meikayla Moore and Yu-ri collided in the 87th minute, with the Fern defender appearing to lose consciousness.
Moore got to her feet, and received a yellow card before being substituted.
Yu-ri required medical assistance for five minutes before she was transported from the pitch.
Finally, after lengthy delays, the game was over, with honours shared.
READ MORE: Ferns pull up short as Korea Republic win series opener 1-0 >>>>
Result
Game played on Tuesday November 15, 2022
New Zealand 1 (Olivia Chance 13′)
Korea Republic 1 (Ye-eun 57′)
Line-ups
New Zealand
Vic Esson, Meikayla Moore (Kate Taylor 90+3′), Katie Bowen, Claudia Bunge, Liz Anton (Mackenzie Barry 64′), Grace Jale, Malia Steinmetz (Daisy Cleverley 64′), Betsy Hassett, Olivia Chance, Gabi Rennie (Ava Collins, 75′), Paige Satchell (Indiah-Paige Riley 46′).
Subs not used: Erin Nayler, Daisy Cleverley, Mackenzie Barry, Ashleigh Ward, Anna Leat, Ally Green, Kate Taylor, Ava Collins, Anna Green.
Yellow card: Rennie (17′), Moore (90+61′)
Korea Republic
K.Jung-mi, C.Hyo-joo, K.Hye-ri, L.Seon-joo, J.Sel-gi, L.Geum-min, P.Ye-eun, L.Min-a, C.Yu-ri, S.Hwa-yeon, K.Chae-rim.
Subs not used: Y. Young-geul, L.Su-in, P.Eun-sun, B. Ye-bin, J. Chang, J. Yu-been, R. Ji-soo, K.Min-jung, C.Ga-ram.
Yellow card: Yu-ri (48′), Hwa-yeon (58′), Hwa-yeon 86′).
Attendance
3,523
Match stats (New Zealand / Korea Republic)
Possession: 45% / 55%
Shots on goal: 3 / 11
Shots on target: 3 / 5
Balls in penalty area: 7 / 27
Fouls: 15 / 8
Corners: 1 /8
Ferns squad
(Club, caps/goals)
Elizabeth Anton; Perth Glory, Australia (14/0)
Mackenzie Barry; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ (2/0)
Katie Bowen; Unattached (86/3)
Claudia Bunge; Melbourne Victory FC, Australia (15/0)
Olivia Chance; Celtic FC, Scotland (36/1)
Daisy Cleverley; HB Køge, Denmark (23/2)
Ava Collins; St John’s University, USA (6/0)
Victoria Esson; Rangers FC, Scotland (11/0)
Ally Green; Vålerenga, Norway (2/0)
Betsy Hassett; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ (136/14)
Grace Jale; Canberra United, Australia (9/2)
Anna Leat; Aston Villa FC, England (9/0)
Meikayla Moore; Glasgow City FC, Scotland (59/4)
Erin Nayler; Umeå IK, Sweden (78/0)
Gabi Rennie; Arizona State University, USA (17/2)
Ali Riley; Angel City FC, USA (147/2)
Indiah-Paige Riley; Fortuna Hjørring, Denmark (3/0)
Paige Satchell; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ (34/2)
Malia Steinmetz; Western Sydney Wanderers, Australia (12/0)
Kate Taylor; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ (5/0)
Ashleigh Ward; Southampton FC, England (2/0)
Selected for squad but unavailable for game
READ MORE: Wisnewski and Hand to miss international through injury >>>>
Jacqui Hand; Aland United, Finland (10/1) — knee injury
Grace Wisnewski; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ, (0/0)* — calf tear
Emma Rolston; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ (13/6) – back injury
* Debut
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