Ghana’s Black Princesses made a false start to their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign after conceding a late goal to lose 1-0 to New Zealand on Monday.
Substitute Tayla Christensen scored a dramatic last-minute winner to help New Zealand to a hard-fought win over the Black Princesses.
The match was an entertaining affair played at a good tempo throughout, but New Zealand’s Nadia Olla was by far the busier of the two goalkeepers and produced several key saves.
The Oceania side started brightly but Ghana took a clear stranglehold as the first half wore on.
New Zealand spurned two good opportunities within quick succession early on via Isabella Coombes and Martine Puketapu, the former set-up by the ever lively Paige Satchell.
But suddenly Ghana sprung to life. The Black Princesses were lively in possession and made numerous successful forays down the flanks, constantly looking dangerous from crosses and corners.
By half-time New Zealand goalkeeper Olla had made half a dozen saves. The best chance of the opening half saw Jane Ayieyam volley a cross over the crossbar from close-range, narrowly failing to convert what would have been a spectacular goal.
Ghana kept knocking at the door but their efficiency in the attacking third was poor. The clearest opening of the match saw Wasilla Diwura-Soale latch onto a midfield turnover and run clear, but Olla came out to make a brave diving block at the feet.
New Zealand forward Jasmine Pereira fired a volley inches wide late on, but the Junior Football Ferns finally broke the deadlock a minute from time.
Substitute Christensen pushed her way through a static back four and rounded the keeper to score a much-celebrated winner.
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