The Football Ferns romped to an opening 8-0 win over Samoa in their 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup qualification campaign in the Solomon Islands yesterday.
Forward Kelli Brown was the star of the show for the Kiwis, taking home the match ball thanks to her first half hat-trick, while Manaia Elliot also picked up a brace.
New Zealand’s dominance was evident from the first minute as Brown took just seconds to score the game’s opener. Her venomous cross from the right-hand side looped over the Samoa goalkeeper, swerving into the net.
The Ferns’ pressure did not let up from there as they peppered the Samoan goal, forcing some impressive first half saves from Samoa’s shot-stopper Angelique Tuisamoa.
Brown’s persistence paid off in the 15th minute, as she smashed home a headed down ball following a corner to make it 2-0.
Her quick-fire two became three just before halftime as she beat Samoa’s Tuisamoa again from near the edge of the area.
New Zealand’s pressure did not let up after the break. They generated several chances, only to be denied both by Samoa’s keeper and the crossbar.
After a frustrating period in front of goal, Football Ferns captain Katie Kitching added the fourth in the 65th minute after a delightful one-two passing move with team-mate Grace Jale.
Kitching was subbed off soon after, making way for 17-year-old Wellington Phoenix striker Pia Vlok to make her international debut.
But it would be another player on debut, substitute Charlotte Lancaster, who would play a hand in the fifth New Zealand goal, after she whipped in a dangerous cross that was inadvertently bundled in by a Samoa defender in the 82nd minute.
Minutes later the Ferns found a sixth, Elliot bursting into the box before tucking home a slick finish.
The youngster was not done there though, as her inviting cross into the box beat everybody before curling into the net to add a seventh goal in the 90th minute.
And to complete a tough day at the office for Samoa, with regular time up, Deven Jackson scored her first international goal with a thunderbolt to cap off a resounding 8-0 victory and perfect start to the Ferns’ campaign in Group A.
The New Zealanders’ next game is against hosts Solomon Islands on Monday at 7pm. — Allied Media
