11 Mar 2014

Biggest loss for Football Ferns in three years

12:37 pm on 11 March 2014

The national women's football team's winless run in 2014 continues.

The Football Ferns have been thrashed 4-0 by South Korea in their final pool game at the Cyprus Cup, after a draw with the Republic of Ireland and a 2-1 loss to Switzerland.

The 4-0 hiding is the Ferns' heaviest defeat in three years, and their biggest loss of the six games the Ferns have played this year - they've drawn once and had four one-goal losses.

The New Zealand side, ranked 16th in the world, went into the tournament as the highest-ranked team in their pool - but they went behind in the 10th minute to their 17th-ranked opponents and were 2-0 down at half-time.

The Koreans struck again eight minutes after the restart before adding a fourth in the 72nd minute.

Coach Tony Readings says the defeats came due to trying to build depth by blooding youngsters, but he's proud of the effort levels at least.

The Ferns now play off against Finland to avoid finishing last in the 12-team tournament.

South Korea face Australia in the fifth place playoff, while England will try to defend their title against France in the final.

Scotland will play off with Canada for third.