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Co-hosts New Zealand once again failed to make it past the group stage at a World Cup after being held to a 0-0 draw by Switzerland. A game of very few chances and lots of physical battles all over the pitch logically ended without goals or a winner. The result was enough for the Swiss ladies to progress. The Football Ferns looked out of ideas on how to create clear chances and were left heartbroken after the final whistle.
- New Zealand enjoyed their best chances early on. Urged by the crowd they even hit the woodwork.
- As the game progressed Switzerland became more comfortable defending.
- New Zealand rushed things too much the entire second half. Didn’t create any serious chances past the hour mark.
New Zealand women Player Ratings: The Ferns wilted at home due to a lack of cutting edge
Contents
GK Victoria Esson 7/10 – Didn’t have much to do but with the 2 saves she had to produce she did with conviction.
DF C.J. Bott 8/10 – Once again New Zealand’s best player. Bombed down the right flank forward at every opportunity. Her crosses carried danger. Defensively did pretty well too.
DF Rebekah Stott 6/10 – Unconvincing on numerous occasions at the back. Struggled for pace. Replaced early.
DF Katie Bowen 7/10 – Defended very well. Caused some problems in attack via set pieces too.
DF Ali Rilley 7/10 – Active but her crosses lacked accuracy. Defensively played well though.
MF Annalie Longo 5/10 – Struggled to impact the game. Stayed in the shadows while on the pitch.
MF Ria Percival 7/10 – The captain led by example. She created most of the decent chances with her passes. Lacked enough creativity though.
MF Malia Steinmetz 6/10 – Had a solid but not impressive showing. Defensively did well. Her short passes were also very precise. Nothing much else.
MF Olivia Chance 5/10 – Unconvincing when given the chance to start. Kept rushing things too much. Committed the most unforced errors of any player in the first half.
FW Jacqui Hand 7/10 – She was New Zealand’s most dangerous player. Unlucky to hit the woodwork early on.
FW Hannah Wilkinson 6/10 – Never had a sniff at goal. Tried to be physical but met her match in the Swiss defenders and that was that.
Substitutes
MF Indiah-Paique Riley 6/10 – Brought better energy off the bench. Her crosses lacked precision though.
FW Betsy Hassett 5/10 – Came on just past the hour but never settled. Had zero impact on the proceedings.
DF Claudia Bunge 6/10 – Also, came on for the final 28 minutes. Her long forward passes were the reason why she was brought in. She failed to create any big chances with those.
The last 2 substitutions were made inside the final 20 minutes, so there was no time for those players to get ratings.
Switzerland Player Ratings: La Nati hold firm and progress
GK Gaelle Thalmann 7/10 – Kept a clean sheet, so she must be pleased. Had to deal with only 2 saves though.
DF Eseosa Aigbogun 6/10 – Struggled at times. Defended well enough but on 3 occasions teammates had to bail her out.
DF Noelle Maritz 7/10 – Rock-solid in the air and neutralised New Zealand’s captain Wilkinson well.
DF Julia Stierli 7/10 – Another very solid display in defence. Didn’t put a foot wrong all match.
DF Nadine Riesen 8/10 – Protected the left flank very well all game. Not just that but her forays forward created the 2 best Swiss chances.
DF Lia Waelti 8/10 – True captain and leader. Dominated in the middle of the park. Both defensively and offensively she was the ticking heartbeat of the Swiss machine.
MF Geraldine Reuteler 6/10 – Defensively was solid. Never contributed much in attack though.
MF Coumba Sow 8/10 – Very lively. Started slow but past the half-hour mark she was the most direct player on the pitch. Her runs tested the Ferns often.
FW Seraina Piubel 7/10 – Not many chances for her to score. Worked very well for her team defensively though.
FW Ana Maria Crnogorcevic 7/10 – Considering how little service there was coming her way she did well. Kept the defenders engaged. Her hold-up play was very good too.
FW Ramona Bachmann 5/10 – Never got going. Left isolated for long periods.
Substitutes
All of Switzerland’s 4 substitutions were made inside the final 20 minutes, so there was not enough pitch time for those players to receive ratings.
Player of the Match: Lia Waelti
Switzerland’s captain Lia Waelti was a true rock as the main anchor of her team. She not only distributed the ball every time the Swiss looked forward but also produced numerous decisive defensive interventions to lead her team to the knockouts.
After the final whistle, it was sobs and tears for the Football Ferns and their thousands of fans. The Swiss were not shy in their celebrations though!
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