The New Zealand women’s soccer team bowed out of the Olympics with heads held high after losing 2-1 to the talented French team today.
The result means that New Zealand have lost all three of their matches, including also to Canada and Colombia. But none of the matches were blowouts and considering the leadup – late change of coach, last-minute withdrawal through injury of captain Ali Riley and then the controversy over the Canadian drone spying on their practice – the team played some good football.
It was actually New Zealand who provided the most memorable moment of the France game – a stunning strike by Kate Taylor from outside the box that curled just inside the upright and levelled the scores just before halftime.
France had opened the scoring after 22 minutes with a good goal to Marie-Antoinette Katoto and it was Katoto again early in the second spell whose second goal regained the lead for her team.
New Zealand had only 38% of the possession and managed just four shots at goal compared to France’s 17, but goalie Anna Leat and the ever-present Taylor were standout players for them.
