The Football Ferns were unable to hang on and claim what would have been a popular win against the reigning Olympic gold medallists in their first game of the Paris Olympics.
New Zealand took the early lead through an unlikely source but couldn’t close out the victory through desperate defending, losing 2-1 against Canada after being totally outplayed in the second half.
Substitute Evelyne Viens scored the winner for Canada with 11 minutes to play after racing onto a perfectly weighted pass from Jessie Fleming and rolling a first-time effort past goalkeeper Anna Leat.
Controversy surrounded the Group A fixture after Canada was caught spying on New Zealand during a closed training session.
Head coach Bev Priestman removed herself from the fixture amid the fallout, leaving assistant Andy Spence to take charge on gameday.
It looked like justice would be served when New Zealand took a shock lead after 13 minutes.
Mackenzie Barry, a surprise starter at left back, fired the Football Ferns in front after being left unmarked at a corner.
In another match this morning, Spain beat Japan 2-1.
[Source: Stuff.co.nz]
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