Goals late in the first half from Kirsty Yallop (left) - a record-equalling effort - and Betsy Hassett fired New Zealand’s Football Ferns to a 2-1 victory over Switzerland at the GSZ Stadium in Larnaca on 4 March, to keep alive their hopes of a top-four finish at this year’s Cyprus Women’s Cup. The Swiss, who lost 2-0 to France on the opening day of the tournament, were a much improved unit, particularly in terms of their precision passing, but found themselves up against a Football Ferns combination intent on righting the wrongs exposed in their 4-1 reversal at Holland’s hands two days ago. The Kiwis made six changes to their starting line-up for this match, with Terri-Amber Carlson making her debut as a second half substitute while Hayley Moorwood started an international off the bench for the first time since April 2007. Her team-mates made light of their captain’s absence, making their rivals’ rearguard look like Swiss cheese at times in the opening few minutes, such was the regularity with which they tore holes in their opposition, but an early goal to reward their attacking ambition proved elusive. Switzerland managed to stem the tide for a spell, before the Football Ferns surged again in the latter stages of the half, this time earning due reward for their endeavour, industry and enterprise. Hassett (above) was the recipient of a 38th minute cross which saw her let fly, only for her shot to be blocked. Yallop latched onto the rebound, evaded a challenge, and with two defenders closing in, coolly rounded Swiss ‘keeper Jennifer Oehrli to tuck the ball home into an empty net, her eleventh goal for the Football Ferns. It was a composed, classy finish from the dynamic midfielder who, in netting, became just the second New Zealand player, male or female, to score at least once for her country in "A" internationals played in five consecutive calendar years. All Whites legend Steve Sumner is the only other Kiwi to achieve this rare feat, during the period 1979-83. With Switzerland reeling from this setback, Hassett dealt them a hammer blow three minutes later. Gathering the ball just outside the penalty area, she side-stepped a defender before unleashing a twenty yard bullet which took a deflection en route to the back of the net over the diving ‘keeper. The second half was a more even affair, with the Swiss gaining some reward for their efforts seven minutes from time. Sandy Maendly (above) let rip with a twenty-yarder which flew into the top corner of Jenny Bindon’s net, the only blemish on a much improved showing from New Zealand’s defensive unit in this match. "Even though we didn’t play as badly as the scoreline in the first game suggests, it was definitely a more complete performance today", declared assistant coach Tony Readings after the match. "We started really well, and could easily have been three or four goals up inside the first five minutes. "Amber Hearn (above) and Hannah Wilkinson were quite threatening in the first half, while Rosie White, playing in an attacking midfield role, took up a lot of good positions, and was unlucky not to score. "We kicked on late in the first half, which was when we scored our goals, and while the second half was a more even contest, and Switzerland pulled one back late on, we were still comfortable towards the end and got the result we merited". The Football Ferns reverted to what they know best - the diamond midfield formation - for this match, and that comfort zone provided the platform for their victory. "We switched to a flat four in midfield during the second spell", says Readings, "but there’s a fair bit of redemption and satisfaction in the squad tonight after that win. "This team’s not used to getting beaten these days, and definitely not by such a heavy scoreline, so three players in particular were keen to impress today, and duly did so - Rebecca Smith, Abby Erceg and half-time substitute Kristy Hill (below) all impressed. "So, again, did Anna Green, who has shown great form so far in the tournament, to the extent that she’s been our best-performed player to date this year. On the injury front, while we went into the match with a couple of players under clouds, they have come through today’s game in fine fettle, which means Hannah Wall is the only player who is sidelined at present". The Football Ferns’ final group fixture sees them taking on eighth-ranked France at 1am on Tuesday, NZ time, at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia. The Kiwis have some unfinished business against their

European rivals, having been two minutes away from beating the French when they met in the third-place play-off at the 2008 Cyprus Women’s Cup tournament. New Zealand:     Bindon; Riley, Erceg (Hill, 46), Smith, Green (Percival, 46); White, Hoyle (Carlson, 65), Hassett, Yallop (Moorwood, 46); Hearn (Longo, 65), Wilkinson (Kete, 46) Switzerland:      Oehrli; Betschart, Graf (Stein, 69), Abbe, Kuster; M. Keller ((Pittet, 57), Mehmeti, Maendly; Bachmann, Moser, Dickenmann (L. Keller, 69) The Football Ferns now go into their final game with France knowing that a win will book them at least a second-placed finish in their group. That’s because the French were downed 2-1 by Holland, for whom Renee Slegers opened the scoring after six minutes. Camille Abily replied two minutes later for France, and a battle royal ensued before Malon Melis broke the deadlock seventeen minutes from time to clinch victory for the Dutch, and a place in the Cyprus Women’s Cup Final. Their opponents in that match could well be current holders Canada, who edged out Italy 1-0 thanks to a goal by Jonelle Filigno (above) just after the half-hour mark to also boast a perfect two-from-two record to date. England, the "Canucks" opponents in their final group game, fielded a much-changed line-up and paid their price as they suffered a shock 2-0 loss to Scotland, for whom goals in each half from Kim Little and the game’s star turn, Jennifer Beattie, ensured the Scots of victory over the "Auld Enemy" for the first time in thirty-four years. In Group C action in Cyprus, Russia came from behind to down Northern Ireland 2-1, Ashley Hutton having given the Irish a ninth minute lead. Tatiana Skotnikova levelled the scores just before half-time, and Elena Fomina clinched victory from the penalty spot seven minutes into the second half. The other match saw ten-man Mexico hold Korea Republic to a 1-1 draw. The Koreans opened the scoring through Jeon Ga Eul on the quarter-hour, and retained that advantage until nine minutes into the second half, when Dinora Garza rifled home a free-kick. Ten minutes later, Nayeli Rangel committed her second bookable offence to become the first player to be sent off at this year’s tournament, but the Tricolors were able to hold out for the draw despite their numerical disadvantage. Tuesday morning‘s action sees New Zealand taking on France at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia, while Holland and Switzerland lock horns in Larnaca. Both matches kick off at 1am, as do the Group C encounters between Russia and the Korea Republic, in Paralimni, and Mexico and Northern Ireland, in Sotira. In the 4am games, Scotland and Italy draw swords in Larnaca, while Canada and England square off in Nicosia with a place in the Cyprus Cup Final against Holland the reward for the winners. Across the Mediterranean in Portugal, goals in each half from Lindsay Tarpley and midfield dynamo Carli Lloyd (above) secured the USA a 2-0 win over Norway and a ninth consecutive Algarve Cup Final appearance. The team they defeated in their opening match, Japan, crushed Finland 5-0, netting two goals in three minutes just after the quarter-hour mark to put themselves on course for victory, Shinobu Ohno and Nahomi Kawasumi the markswomen. Yuki Nagasoto made it 3-0 to Nadeshiko three minutes into the second half, and Mama Yamaguchi added further to Finland’s woes with the final two goals of the game in the last twenty minutes. The USA’s opponents in the final could well be Iceland - a genuine surprise packet, who maintained their winning form by coming from behind to beat China 2-1. Ma Jun gave the Chinese a 21st minute lead, but two goals from Margaret Lara Vioarsdottir, the first five minutes later and the second five minutes after half-time, secured a famous victory for the Scandinavian nation. Sweden, meanwhile, prevailed 3-1 in their must-win duel with Denmark. Jessica Landstrom opened the scoring for the Swedes in the eighth minute, but within two minutes Kristine Pedersen had restored parity. Two goals in six second half minutes turned the game Sweden’s way, Josefine Oqvist’s (above) second goal in as many matches restoring their lead before Landstrom’s second goal of the game clinched victory on the hour. In Group C, Portugal and Chile battled out a scoreless draw while Wales came from behind to down Rumania 2-1. Cosmina Duca scored five minutes before half-time to give the Rumanians the edge, but Jessica Fishlock levelled matters on the hour for the Welsh, whose winner, eighteen minutes from time, was scored by Helen Lander. Matchday Three action at the Algarve Cup sees the USA taking on Finland while Japan and Norway draw swords. China and Sweden clash, as do Denmark and Iceland in the group decider, while Chile plays Wales and Portugal entertains Rumania in Group C action.