New Zealand shifts focus on Super Falcons after draw with Iceland

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup co-host, New Zealand has shifted focus on its next game with Nigeria after a 1-1 draw against Iceland on Friday.

The Oceania side prepares for this year’s World Cup on Friday as it forced the European side to a 1-1 draw.

Dagny Brynjarsdottir scored the opening goal of the match in the 27th minute for Iceland.

Hannah Wilkinson equalised for New Zealand six minutes later.

The draw ended New Zealand’s five-match losing streak and extended its winless run to nine games.

After the game, New Zealand Football Association declared on their Twitter handle that their attention turns to Super Falcons next Tuesday.

“Focus shifts to Nigeria Tue 11 April, 4:00 pm local Wed 12 April, 1:00 pm NZ,” the Tweet reads.

Super Falcons on its part edged Haiti 2-1 with goals from Esther Okoronkwo and Asisat Oshoala ensuring that Melchie Dumornay’s second-half strike was a mere consolation.

The win made it back-to-back victories for the nine-time African Champions after a 1-0 win over Costa Rica at the maiden Revelation Cup ended a seven-match winless streak.

Next up for the African heavyweights is a clash with World Cup co-hosts New Zealand also in Antalya on Tuesday evening.