The Younger Soccer Ferns' chances of advancing for the quarter last stage have taken a hit right after they were beaten 1-0 by Mexico within their opening Fifa under-17 women's Planet Cup fixture in Azerbaijan overnight.
The defeat will be challenging for Paul Temple and his expenses to consider following declaring the bulk of possession but failing to produce any meaningful chances in brutal 33 degree temperature at Bayil Stadium in Baku.
"It was hot. It absolutely was stifling genuinely, and when you increase while in the nerves it adds up," said Temple.
"We played out out through the again and passed it about effectively but we did almost all of our function in areas that weren't hazardous," he additional, "We do have rate, however , you didn't see it these days which was essential, really.
"There was some poor movement, and we didn't receive the ball into that zone before the penalty box to produce possibilities which is surely an area we want to work on if we are for being a aim threat."
Conversely Mexico utilized a 'fire on sight' tactic for much of the opening period of time, out-shooting the Young Soccer Ferns by 24 to 7 with only a handful on target.
Fernanda Perez's goal following 36 minutes was the primary difference among the groups. The lively frontrunner had rocked Lily Alfeld's crossbar earlier in the match up and after that slid the ball vast from the upright moments later on.
Her persistence ultimately compensated off following a period of time of sustained Mexican stress, by using a free-header from a corner just outside the house the six-yard-box.
The score could have been far more experienced it not been to the brilliance of Alfeld who spectacularly denied replace Samantha Arellano and foiled Taylor Alvarado twice in quick succession in one-on-one scenarios.
In spite of shading Mexico regarding possession, the Young Football Ferns did not generate any clear opportunities and have been often diminished to speculative odds, the top of which fell to Canada-based Emma Fletcher who rippled the roof in the net from the first half free of charge kick.
With CJ Bott ruled out having an ankle damage, 2010 under-17 Women's World Cup veteran Megan Lee began inside the centre of defence, but the injury nightmare continued for Temple with Lee hobbling off after 70 minutes.
It is the second latest match in which a Mexican side has experienced an influence on New Zealand's hopes next the women's under-20's loss inside their last team complement on the Concacaf powerhouse in Japan very last thirty day period.
The Young Soccer Ferns now encounter Japan in what shapes as a must-win encounter on Thursday morning (NZT) a fact not lost on Temple.
"There's a tad of strain on that one now. If we'll development we'd like to obtain a level or three. It really is a really tough task and it constantly was planning to be a challenging task."