New Zealand have lost the first game of their two-match series with Venezuela, beaten 3-1 at the Marbella Football Centre in Spain.
The Ford Football Ferns fell victim to excellent finishing by the Venezuelans who made the most of their chances.
Venezuela went ahead in the 25th minute when Deyna Castellanos struck a left-footed shot from the edge of the area, beating New Zealand goalkeeper Vic Esson who could not quite reach the ball as it curled inside the far post.
The Ferns responded in the 38th minute when a lapse in the Venezuelan defence allowed attacking midfielder Katie Kitching through on goal.
Her first effort was blocked by goalkeeper Nayluisa Cáceres but Kitching latched onto the rebound and despite Cáceres’ attempt to keep the ball out, Kitching’s shot fell into the net.
Main photo: Katie Kitching (left) is congratulated by Maya Hahn.
Less than two minutes later, Venezuela regained the lead.
Michelle Romero worked down the right and cut back inside to bend a left-footed shot inside the far post from an acute angle.
Both coaches went to their benches in the second half and while the changes brought relief in the heat of Spain, they tended to break the game’s rhythm.
Venezuela had a clear chance in the 78th minute when teenage substitute Ailing Herrera was foiled by Esson and her defenders.
The final goal of the game came in the 86th minute when 17-year-old substitute Melanie Chirinos let fly from outside the area and her shot flew over Esson and beneath the crossbar.
READ MORE: ‘Disappointed’ Ferns coach Michael Mayne: ‘We need to learn very quickly’ >>>>
Match statistics
New Zealand / Venezuela
Shots: 10 / 19
Shots on target: 6 / 8
Possession: 40% / 60%
Passes: 366 / 527
Pass accuracy: 72% / 81%
Fouls: 10 / 10
Offsides: 2 / 0
Corners: 1 / 4
Result
Game played on Sunday June 1, 2025 (NZT)
New Zealand 1 (Katie Kitching 38′)
Venezuela 3 (Deyna Castellanos 25′, Michelle Romero 40′, Melanie Chirinos 86′)
Line-ups
New Zealand
Vic Esson, Grace Neville (Betsy Hassett 59′), Kate Taylor, Meikayla Moore, Claudia Bunge, Annalie Longo (captain) (Emma Pijnenburg 87′), Maya Hahn (Jacqui Hand 60′), Katie Kitching, Michaela Foster (Rebekah Stott 77′), Grace Jale (Manaia Elliott 46′), Milly Clegg (Kelli Brown 86′).
Subs not used: Brianna Edwards, Liz Anton, Ally Green, Ruby Nathan, Grace Wisnewski, Alina Santos, Deven Jackson.
Venezuela
Nayluisa Cáceres, Veronica Herrera, Yenifer Gimenez, Michelle Romero (Floriangel Apóstol 73′), Gabriela Garcia, Joemar Guarecuco (Daniuska Rodríguez 60′), Deyna Castellanos (Oriana Altuve 81′), Raiderlin Carrasco, Ysayra Viso (Bárbara Olivieri 61′), Mariana Speckmaier (Ailing Herrera 73′), Dayana Rodriguez (Melanie Iscala 81′).
Subs not used: Yolgrelis Micheel Rengifo Gutiérrez, Hilary Anaika Vergara Amaro, María Peraza, Génesis Flórez, Camila Pescatore, Maikerlin Astudillo, Valeria Naygled Rebanales Guzman, Gabriela Angulo, Bárbara Martínez.
Fixture
Game to be played on Wednesday June 4, 2025 (NZT)
Venezuela v New Zealand
Estadio Nuevo Mirador, Algeciras, Spain, 4am (NZT)
This story was first published on June 1, 2025.