Football Ferns let lead slip against South Korea as bad run continues

Rookie forward Jacqui Hand scored her first international goal, but two costly defensive lapses meant the Football Ferns slumped to a 2-1 away loss against South Korea yesterday.

Making her second start for the national women’s team, Hand’s headed finish midway through the first half at Goyang Stadium was a fine one. But an own goal and a free header following a free kick awarded after an unnecessary challenge meant the wait for the Ferns’ first win under new coach Jitka Klimkova´ continued.

They have now gone eight matches without a win or a draw since their penalty shootout win over Belgium at the Algarve Cup in March last year.

Klimkova´ made one change to the XI that finished the October window with a 1-0 loss to Olympic champions Canada, bringing Ava Collins in for Gabi Rennie up front. Anna Leat retained her place in goal while Katie Bowen continued in the unfamiliar role of centre back, even though Claudia Bunge was available after missing the last window. Leat was called upon early to collect a cross that was hit too close to her, then to punch clear a corner.

The first real chance fell to Ferns midfielder Ria Percival, who received the ball at the top of the box after a cross was cleared but sent her shot in the 10th minute curling over the bar.

South Korea’s only real firsthalf chance was when Hong Hye-ji got the better of Collins and set a free header across the crossbar.

Hand’s goal came in the 25th minute, when Olivia Chance released Collins down the left on the counter. Collins and Riley combined to free the fullback up for a cross, which Hand met with her head after sneaking in between two defenders

The Ferns would have been disappointed with how easily they were unpicked just before the hour mark, when Kim Hyeri played Choe Yu-Ri in behind Riley down the Ferns’ left flank.

The winger was able to run straight at Leat before sending a last-second ball across the face of goal. Defenders CJ Bott and Meikayla Moore were both there but ended up putting it into their own net.

Rennie and Katie Rood were introduced at that point, in place of Chance and Hand, as Klimkova´ took the opportunity to explore her attacking options.

The game grew increasingly physical and scrappy in its final stages, where Hannah Blake also got a run in midfield, in place of Betsy Hassett, and it was a reckless challenge from Bowen that gave away the free kick from which South Korea scored their winner thanks to Lim Seonjoo in the 81st minute.

Malia Steinmetz and Paige Satchell came on, for Daisy Cleverley and Collins, as the Ferns chased an equaliser, but their lack of attacking quality in the second half ultimately proved to be their undoing.