The Football Ferns have secured a semi-final berth at the OFC Women’s Nations Cup in style, sweeping aside a determined effort from the Cook Islands to win 6-0 and post their second successive victory of the tournament.

The defending champions were hugely impressive in their opening match several days ago, outclassing Tonga 11-0 to underline their status as favourites and send out a message to any other side with designs on wrestling the title off them.

Even more worryingly for those rivals, today’s display proved the Ferns have the squad depth to maintain their level of performance across the tournament, head coach Tom Sermanni electing to make eight changes to the starting line-up from the Tonga rampage but New Zealand again proving far too strong for their Pacific Island opposition.

In stifling heat and humidity at the Stade Numa Daly in Noumea, it was a memorable evening for at least three players – who all got on the scoresheet in a senior international for the first ever time.

It was also a significant milestone for the versatile Ria Percival, who came off the bench to make her 132nd appearance for New Zealand – equalling the all-time record held by Abby Erceg.

Emma Rolston lead the way in notching her first international goals with a double while Katie Rood and Sarah Morton also got off the mark for their country and Grace Jale took her tally to two, having opened her international account against Tonga. But it was a more well-established name that got the ball rolling, centurion Annalie Longo opening the scoring early on to set the six-goal victory in motion.

The hugely experienced playmaker was one of only three players to retain her place in the side – the others being captain Ali Riley and midfield lynchpin Katie Bowen – as Sermanni made full use of the depth of talent at his disposal by ringing the changes.

But the new-look side did not take long to click, New Zealand dominating possession right from the early stages and earning the reward their efforts deserved on 13 minutes, Longo finding the bottom corner with a well-placed shot from the edge of the area.

It was 2-0 just seconds later in stunning fashion, Anna Green volleying a Katie Bowen ball back across goal for Emma Rolston to also meet on the full and break her international duck in just her third appearance. At that stage, it looked like the crowd could be in for another double-digit triumph but the Cook Islands had a clear game plan and kept their defensive shape to frustrate New Zealand for long periods.

It wasn’t until just before the break that Rolston had her second – both of the game and her Football Ferns career – after heading an inch-perfect cross from fullback Riley in off the crossbar.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with the Ferns enjoying almost complete possession of the ball but the well-structured Cook Islands proving difficult to play through.

Their stoic rear-guard effort was finally broken again with just over 20 minutes left though, Rood following in Rolston’s footsteps to notch her first goal on the international stage. It was well worth the wait, the Bristol City striker finding space outside the box and unleashing an unstoppable rocket past the impressive Marjorie Toru in goal.

It looked like that’s how the score would remain as the clock ticked down but an evening of debut goals continued when substitute Morton meet a deep cross at the back post to join Rolston and Rood as first-time scorers in the last minute of regulation time. She nearly had her second a few moments later but struck the crossbar, allowing Jale to follow up and round off the scoring at 6-0.

The only downside to another pleasing day for Sermanni was the worrying first-half withdrawal of midfielder Malia Steinmetz, who suffered heat exhaustion in the intense humidity inside the Stade Numa Daly. 

“It was good to get the win but I honestly thought Cook Islands put on a great display today,” Sermanni said.

“I thought they showed a real spirited, determined performance and made life very difficult for us. We made a lot of changes from the first game to rest some players and I thought at times we were a little more disjointed than I would like us to be.”

Sermanni and the rest of his coaching staff will now prepare the Football Ferns for their remaining pool match against Fiji on Sunday, which will determine who finishes top of Group B.

Match Details

New Zealand 6 (Annalie Longo 13’, Emma Rolston 15’, 44’, Katie Rood 68’, Sarah Morton 90’, Grace Jale 90+2’)
Cook Islands 0
HT: 3-0

New Zealand: 21. Victoria Esson (GK), 3. Anna Green (15. Sarah Morton 63’), 7. Ali Riley (c), 8. Emma Rolston (18. Grace Jale 77’), 9. Katie Rood, 10. Annalie Longo, 14. Katie Bowen, 16. Liz Anton, 17. Stephanie Skilton, 19. Paige Satchell, 20. Malia Steinmetz (2. Ria Percival 37’)
Substitutes not used: 1. Erin Nayler (GK), 4. CJ Bott, 5. Meikayla Moore, 6. Rebekah Stott, 11. Sarah Gregorius, 12. Betsy Hassett, 13. Rosie White, 22. Nadia Olla (GK) 
Coach: Tom Sermanni

Article added: Thursday 22 November 2018