Venezuela rally to edge Kiwis

Viso’s goals were enough to give Venezuela full points, after Kate Loye gave New Zealand the go-ahead goal early in the meeting.

The win puts Venezuela second in the group, below Spain by an inferior goal-difference – Spain whipped Japan 4-1 in the earlier game at Couva.

New Zealand, who hosted the inaugural tournament two years ago, broke the deadlock in the 10th minute, as winger Olivia Chance whipped in a cross from the left and, after Holly Patterson’s effort was denied by the defence, Loye lashed home, inside the six-yard box, with a stinging left-footed effort.

The lead lasted 14 minutes as Viso got a through ball from the right and unleashed a powerful right-footer beyond the right of New Zealand’s goalkeeper Chloe-May Geurts. That effort created a frenzied atmosphere amongst the travelling band of Venezuela supporters, who cheered at virtually every play – defensively and offensively, made by their team.

Though both teams lacked a decisive cutting edge up front, New Zealand spurned two wonderful chances to restore their lead.

In the 42nd, Chance produced a fine run past two players, on the left, but her shot was unable to beat Venezuela’s goalie Maleike Pacheco. And, in the 64th, Chance’s out-swinging corner, from the right, was met by forward Stephanie Skilton, whose header was stifled by the defence while Tessa McPherson’s rebound was gathered, on the line, by Pacheco.

And Viso had the crucial strike, three minutes later, as she chased down a long kick by Pacheco, between the New Zealand back-line, and poked her left-footer to the left of Geurts. Viso was injured while celebrating the goal (diving to the floor), but she returned to help her team defend their lead until the final whistle.

Teams –

NEW ZEALAND: Chloe-May Geurts; Sivitha Boyce, Tessa McPherson, Katie Bowen (capt), Rachel Head (Hannah Wong 84th); Rebecca Burrows, Holly Patterson, Olivia Chance (Megan Lee 84th), Evie Millynn, Kate Loye; Stephanie Skilton (Brittany Dudley-Smith 70th).

VENEZUELA: Maleike Pacheco; Yaribeth Ulacio, Genesis Moreno, Maria Rodriguez (Paola Villamizar 87th), Soliedys Rengel; Yurimar Toledo, Maryeling Martinez, Maria Carrero (Natasha Rosas 46th), Marialba Zambrano (capt); Michelle Clemente (Joemar Guarecuco 74th), Ysaura Viso.