16 Jan 2015

Football Ferns complete comeback win

8:51 am on 16 January 2015

The Football Ferns have claimed their first ever victory over Denmark with a 3-2 come-from-behind victory in Turkey on Thursday night.

New Zealand's Annalie Longo competes for the ball.

New Zealand's Annalie Longo competes for the ball. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Having fallen behind inside the opening five minutes to Simone Sorensen's opener, the 18th-ranked Football Ferns recovered in quick time.

Fullback Ria Percival equalised, and then striker Hannah Wilkinson put Tony Readings' side ahead in the 22nd minute.

The 16th-ranked Denmark pulled level in first half stoppage time via Sofie Pedersen, but halftime substitute Annalie Longo provided the winner in the 58th minute.

Readings said Thursday's outing was a stark contrast to Tuesday's 1-1 draw, with Denmark enjoying the better of the opening spell but his side were able work themselves into the lead regardless.

"It wasn't a good start and they were on top leading up to that goal and they definitely had the best of the first half. But that's what we've done over the last year; we've been the better team yet we haven't managed to make that count in terms of goals," Readings said.

"Today the shoe was on the other foot so it was quite nice to be the team that maybe wasn't as strong over a period of time but actually be leading."

"I think the challenge for us is to make sure we do start well in these games because when you do go ahead in World Cups it is hard to claw it back. It's much better to be defending a lead than it is chasing one."

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