New Zealand are out of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, having lost all three of their group games at the tournament in Colombia.
Ghana beat the New Zealanders 3-1 in the final game at Pascual Guerrero Stadium, Cali.
Other tournament results meant both sides went into the game knowing they couldn’t get through to the last 16 as one of the best-performing third-placed teams.
New Zealand started well, building attacks from the back while Ghana relied on fast breaks.
In the 8th minute, New Zealand found the net through Kiara Bercelli but after a three-minute delay, and consultation with the Video Support (VS) team, referee Maria Ortiz ruled Bercelli had been offside.
It was the second game in a row Bercelli thought she had scored, having had an effort against Austria denied by VS.
In the 16th minute, Ghana created a decent chance when striker Salamatu Abdulai met a cross with a close-range shot that was well blocked by New Zealand goalkeeper Maddie Iro.
Abdulai thought she had put Ghana ahead on the half-hour when she slipped marker Ella McMillan to latch onto a long ball launched from deep inside her team’s own half. From the edge of the area, she steered her shot wide of Iro and into the net.
But after another three-minute review, the effort was disallowed for offside.
By half-time, New Zealand had created two goal attempts from 55% of the possession, while Ghana had generated six shots on goal.
Ghana came out firing for the second half, creating multiple chances.
New Zealand ‘keeper Iro had to palm away a looping shot from Jennifer Owusuaa.
McMillan cleared off her own line; then Olivia Page blocked a goalward shot.
At the other end, New Zealand sriker Milly Clegg’s shot deflected just over the bar.
But the Ghana pressure continued, with Owusuaa wasting a good chance when unmarked.
Ghana’s double goalscorer Salamatu Abdulai was always a threat to the New Zealand defence.On the hour mark, the pressure told.
A corner sent beyond the far post was powerfully headed towards the goal by Abdulai, and it bounced between players and into the New Zealand net.
New Zealand recovered their composure and renewed their efforts.
In the 64th minute, captain Manaia Elliott scored when she timed her run to perfection, meeting a ball over the defence by Emma Pijnenburg and lobbing it over the approaching ‘keeper.
Five minutes later, Clegg tumbled just inside the Ghana penalty area, in a collision with ‘keeper Jenna Kayla Sapong and a defender.
New Zealand coach Maia Vink sought a VS review but after consideration, no penalty was awarded.
From the restart, Ghana bombed forward and took the lead.
A cross from the right was met by Abdulai who headed the ball up and over New Zealand ‘keeper Iro, and into the net.
With 10 minutes left, Clegg had another chance, but Sapong saved well.
As the game entered stoppage time, Ghana brought on substitute Tracey Twum.
She scored with her first touch of the ball, tapping home a rebound when Iro blocked a shot from Abdulai, denying her hat-trick.
The result means both Oceania representatives head home from Colombia having failed to win a game at the tournament.
Fiji lost all three pool fixtures to Brazil (9-0), Canada (9-0) and France (11-0).
ResultsGames played on Monday September 9, 2024 (NZT)
New Zealand 1 (Manaia Elliott 64’) Ghana 3 (Salamatu Abdulai 59’, 72’, Tracey Twum 90+7’)
Austria 0 Japan 2 (Maya Hijikata 38’, 79’)
Final standings Line-upsNew Zealand
Madeleine Iro, Zoe McMeeken, Ella McMillan, Rebekah Trewhitt (Marie Green 60’), Olivia Page (Daisy Brazendale 84’), Kiara Bercelli (Olivia Ingham 79’), Ruby Nathan (Lara Colpi 60’), Manaia Elliott (Zoe Benson 84’), Emma Pijnenburg, Helena Errington, Milly Clegg.
Subs not used: Aimee Danieli, Amber Bennett.
Ghana
Jenna Kayla Sapong, Sarah Kulible, Alexandra Tay, Jennifer Owusuaa (Mercy Attobrah 89’), Comfort Yeboah, Wasiima Mohammed, Jennifer Dawah (Abiba Issah 44’), Beline Nyarkoh (Veronica Kumah 45’), Helen Alormenu (Tracey Twum 90+6’), Salamatu Abdulai, Stella Nyamekye
Subs not used: Afi Amenyeku, Najat Salam, Hannah Nyame, Asana Alhassan, Mary Amponsah, Mafia Nyame
OfficialsReferee: María Ortíz (Colombia) Assistant referees: Mayra Gonzalez (Colombia), Eliana Henao (Colombia) Fourth official: Lizzet Olvera (Mexico)
This story was first published on September 9, 2024.
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