They started the tournament with a draw and it was another goalless match when they met New Zealand in the second group match of the Peace Cup. It is England’s second 0-0 draw in three days, a score line that echoed around Group B with all three games failing to produce a goal between them.
Hope Powell made eight changes to the side that drew with South Korea on Monday and although the Three Lions were the better side throughout, they were unable to find the finish their play deserved.
England began the match strongly, using the full width of the pitch and forcing New Zealand to stay in their own half. An early chance came when Alex Scott volleyed the first shot at goal from Eniola Aluko’s corner but failed to take the side into the lead.
Three injuries midway through the first half disrupted the flow of the game and New Zealand began to find their form, winning a corner in the 32nd minute. They were unable to convert and England were able to breathe a sigh of relief. It looked like England might take the lead again when Laura Bassett fired at the goal just before half time, but the shot went wide, leaving the scoreboard stuck at 0-0.
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More chances came for both sides in the second half; Aluko miscued her strike at goal and a mistake from Faye White let in Rosie White but goalkeeper, Karen Bardsley, defused any potential trouble.
Just after the 70 minute mark, Dunia Susi was forced to come off after a nasty looking injury and was replaced by Ellen White. There were no further clear cut chances for either side and two disappointed teams walked away from a goalless match. Because all three Group B games finished 0-0, lots were drawn to see which nation would progress to Saturday’s final and it is the host nation, South Korea, that will now compete for the Peace Cup trophy.
Kirsty Page, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
Image credit: istockphoto.com
