(Reuters) – The Football Ferns notched up their second successive win on Tuesday as they continued their preparations for co-hosting the Women’s World Cup next year, coming from behind to beat Philippines 2-1 in Fullerton, California.
New Zealand, who will share the staging of next year’s showpiece with Australia, snapped a seven-match winless streak with a 1-0 win over Mexico a few miles away in Carson on Friday.
They were put on the back foot when Philippines forward Sarina Bolden half-volleyed Sara Eggesvik’s through ball into the net from the edge of the penalty area just before halftime.
Defender Meikayla Moore, who suffered the ignominy of scoring a hat trick of own goals against the United States in February, equalised from the penalty spot in the 69th minute after she was tripped in the area.
California-born skipper Ali Riley grabbed the winner from close range eight minutes from time after some good work down the right wing from her namesake Indiah-Paige Riley.
New Zealand, who are ranked 22nd in the world, take a big step up in the quality of opposition for their next friendly when they face 2011 World Cup winners Japan in Nagano in October.
The ninth Women’s World Cup takes place in July and August next year.
(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Peter Rutherford)
