Wales 0-0 New Zealand: O’Sullivan masterclass secures draw

Wales played well to hold New Zealand to a 0-0 draw out in Pinatar in an international friendly.

The game won’t live long in the memory of Wales fans. However, Gemma Grainger will be pleased with how her side played against a team ranked nine places higher than them in the world rankings.

Wales had chances in the first half through Ceri Holland and Tash Harding, but New Zealand were on top for the majority of the match, and Wales will thank Laura O’Sullivan for keeping the scores level.

After a nervy start from Cymru, they did have the first chance of the half four minutes in. Some fantastic wing play between Kayleigh Green and Rachel Rowe saw the Reading full back power into the box, but her low cross just missed the outstretched foot of Ceri Holland.

But the defensive frailties we saw in the opening foray were on show again just after the ten-minute mark. A poor clearance from Hayley Ladd led to mass confusion in the Welsh box, but an excellent tackle from Gemma Evans spared the blushes of Ladd.

Wales worked their way back into the game and had a glorious chance to score through Tash Harding. Sophie Ingle picked her out with an immaculate through ball, and Harding shifted the ball onto her strong foot, but her effort went agonizingly past the post.

New Zealand then had a good run of chances towards the end of the half. Elizabeth Anton went close first. Her effort from around 25-yards out had O’Sullivan at full stretch, but she did well to tip it over the bar.

From the resulting corner, the Football Ferns worked the ball well out wide, before sending a cross into the area and finding an unmarked Meikayla Moore who fired her header over the bar, but it was a real let off for Wales.

The second half started with both teams playing a low tempo style, neither really taking the game to one another.

However, just over halfway through the half New Zealand had a great chance to open the scoring. A cross into the Welsh box wasn’t punched away convincingly by O’Sullivan. This led to Olivia Chance having all the time in the world at the far post to pick her spot, but Rhiannon Roberts did extremely well to clear Chance’s effort off the line.

A minute before added time, O’Sullivan was called into action again and produced a world-class save to keep the scores level. A cross from Grace Jale found the head of Jacqui Hand. Her powerful header looked destined for the back of the net, but O’Sullivan reacted magnificently to tip the ball onto the bar and away from danger.

Player of the Match: Laura O’Sullivan

How many times has she saved Wales in recent years? I’ve lost count but she produced a magnificent display once again out in Spain. Her shot stopping ability is immense and she will be a key component in Wales’ bid to reach the World Cup

Cymru

Laura O’Sullivan (GK), Rhiannon Roberts, Hayley Ladd (Josie Green, 63’), Gemma Evans, Rachel Rowe (Ffion Morgan, 63’), Sophie Ingle © (Anna Filbey, 81’), Angharad James, Carrie Jones (Lily Woodham, 46’), Tash Harding (Meg Wynne, 74’), Kayleigh Green (Helen Ward, 74’), Ceri Holland

Unused Subs: Olivia Clark (GK), Poppy Soper (GK), Chloe Bull, Elise Hughes, Georgia Walters, Chloe Williams

New Zealand

Victoria Esson (GK), Elizabeth Anton (Ally Green, 58’), Claudia Bunge, Meikayla Moore, Rebekah Stott © (Kate Taylor, 64’), Katie Bowen (Jacqui Hand, 82’), Olivia Chance (Grace Jale, 82’), Malia Steinmetz (Betsy Hassett, 58’), Annalie Longo, Paige Satchell, Hannah Wilkinson (Gabi Rennie, 64’)

Unused Subs: Lily Alfed (GK), Erin Nayler (GK), Mackenzie Barry, Daisy Cleverley, Emma Rolston