China have beaten New Zealand 5-2 in the third and final match of the countries’ three-match futsal series in Hohhot.
Britney-Lee Nicholson and Sophie Williams scored for the Futsal Ferns in the match at the Hohhot Sports Centre, in northern China,
China won the three-match series 2-1 after New Zealand took out the second game in a penalty shoot-out.
China are ranked #24 in the FIFA women’s world futsal rankings, while New Zealand are #19.
Both teams used the series to prepare for the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup to be held in the Philippines from November 21 – December 7, 2025.
New Zealand have already qualified for the World Cup while China will soon go into their qualifying games.
New Zealand
Sarah Alder (Capital Futsal, Aotearoa New Zealand)
Shivanthi Anthony (ASV Pescadola Machida, Japan)
Libby Boobyer (Capital Futsal, Aotearoa New Zealand)
Danielle Bradley (Melbourne Evolution, Australia)
Jordana Bremner (Papakura City x NRF, Aotearoa New Zealand)
Jamie Evans (Waikato Rapids, Aotearoa New Zealand)
Ellena Firth (Papakura City x NRF, Aotearoa New Zealand)
Fran Grange (Capital Futsal, Aotearoa New Zealand)
Hannah Hegarty (Canterbury United Pride, Aotearoa New Zealand)
Hannah Kraakman (Bloomsbury Futsal, England)
Dayna Manak (Bloomsbury Futsal, England)
Britney-Lee Nicholson (Canterbury United Pride, Aotearoa New Zealand)
Cat Pretty (Bloomsbury Futsal, England)
Sophie Williams (Melbourne Evolution, Australia)
Results
Game played on Wednesday April 9, 2025
Game 1
China 1 (Zou Yinglan)
Futsal Ferns 0
WATCH: Futsal Ferns lose opening game in three-match series with China >>>>
Game played on Friday April 11, 2025
Game 2
China 5
Futsal Ferns 5 (Shivy Anthony 2, Hannah Kraakman 2, Libby Boobyer)
*New Zealand won 6-5 on penalties
Game played on Sunday April 13, 2025
Game 3
China 5
Futsal Ferns 2 (Britney-Lee Nicholson, Sophie Williams)
This story was first published on April 14, 2025.