Two set pieces created a goal for each side as the Football Ferns and Iceland shared a 1-1 draw in their friendly international played in Turkey.
In the 27th minute, Iceland’s long throw specialist Sveindís Jónsdóttir caught the New Zealand team out when she hurled the ball into the box for 112-cap Dagný Brynjarsdóttir to score her 38th international goal.
Seven minutes later, an inch-perfect corner from Michaela Foster found striker Hannah Wilkinson on the far post, her header powering into the net for the equaliser.
The goal provided the Ferns with their first in more than nine hours of play.
READ MORE: Ferns coach Jitka Klimková: ‘We were waiting for this moment for so long’ >>>>
Main photo: Michaela Foster (24) celebrates with goalscorer Hannah Wilkinson, and their Ferns teammates.
Wilkinson appeared to suffer a nose injury while scoring and was replaced by Paige Satchell in the second spell.
Midfielder Olivia Chance was also injured, requiring her to come off at half-time.
For New Zealand, Foster showed her worth with a 90-minute performance in which she demonstrated her ability to whip in dangerous crosses, especially from set pieces.
Her Wellington Phoenix teammate, striker Milly Clegg (17), also got her full international debut, brought on for a few minutes at the end.
The draw, against the world’s 14th-ranked side, means New Zealand have gone nine matches without victory.
New Zealand are 25th in the FIFA rankings.
Next up for the Ferns is a match at the same Mardan Sports Complex venue on Wednesday (1am, NZT), against Nigeria who are 45th in the FIFA world rankings.
READ MORE: Ferns to face an experienced and in-form Iceland team in Turkey >>>>
READ MORE: Football Ferns slip in FIFA world rankings after latest round of international games >>>>
READ MORE: Football Ferns to meet Nigeria as second international friendly is announced >>>>
Full-time stats
(New Zealand / Iceland)
Shots: 12 / 6
Shots on target: 1 / 4
Possession: 45% / 55%
Passes: 322 / 403
Pass accuracy: 66% / 71%
Fouls committed: 6 / 12
Offsides: 3 / 1
Corners: 6 / 1
Watch the highlights
Result
Game played on Saturday April 8, 2023 (NZT)
New Zealand 1 (Hannah Wilkinson 34′)
Iceland 1 (Dagný Brynjarsdóttir 27′)
Line-ups
New Zealand
Vic Esson, Ali Riley (c) (Grace Neville 77′), Rebekah Stott (Claudia Bunge 68′), Kate Bowen, Michaela Foster, Grace Jale, Olivia Chance (Daisy Cleverley 46′), Betsy Hassett, Malia Steinmetz, Hannah Wilkinson (Paige Satchell 68′), Jacqui Hand (Milly Clegg 87′).
Subs not used: Erin Nayler, Meikayla Moore, Gabi Rennie, Mackenzie Barry, Liz Anton, Indiah-Paige Riley, Kate Taylor.
Iceland
Telma Ívarsdóttir, Alexandra Jóhannsdóttir, Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir (Guörún Arnardóttir 46′), Ingibjörg Sigurðardóttir, Áslaug Munda Gunnlaugsdöttir (Sandra Jessen 80′), Alexandra Jóhannsdóttir (Selma Sól Magnúsdóttir 62′), Sveindís Jane Jónsdóttir, Karólína Lea Vilhjálmsdóttir (Hildur Antonsdóttir 86′), Dagný Brynjarsdóttir, Guðrún Arnardóttir (HIín Eiriksdóttir 62′), Ólöf Sigríður Kristinsdóttir (Svava Rós Guömundsdóttir 86′).
Subs not used: Íris Dögg Gunnarsdóttir, Ásta Eir Ámadóttir, Dilja Yr Zomers, Arna Asgrimsdóttir, Ala Maria Albertsdóttir.
Fixture
Game to be played on Wednesday April 12, 1am (NZT)
New Zealand v Nigeria
Mardan Sports Complex, Antalya, Turkey.
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