England coach Hope Powell was unhappy with New Zealand after her side missed out on a place in the Peace Cup final.
The teams played out a third goalless draw in Group A and joined hosts South Korea on two points in the final table.
Lots had to be drawn and South Korea came out of the hat and will face Group B winners Australia on Saturday.
Powell had wanted to “go to extra time and penalties”, and said “it would have been great practice for both sides” for the 2011 World Cup finals in Germany.
The 43-year-old England boss stated: “We knew the rules but asked New Zealand before the game if we could go to extra time and penalties if our game ended in a draw.
“The organisers were happy for us to do that, but New Zealand insisted on sticking by the rules.
“It’s not the best way to lose out on reaching a final, but so be it.”
England may well have won the game with a full-strength line-up.
But Powell, who is using the tournament as the first part of England’s build-up to the World Cup, made eight changes to the starting line-up.
It meant that all 20 players in her squad had been used in the two group games.
She added: “In terms of playing non-European teams ahead of the World Cup this is proving great experience for us.
“Youngsters have come in and done well and so have a couple of more experienced players [Anita Asante and goalkeeper Karen Bardsley] who are back in the squad after recovering from long term injuries.”
Despite the multitude of changes Powell’s team were in control for most of the match and had chances to clinch victory.
In a bright start both right winger Alex Scott and right-back Dunia Susi went close.
But England almost went behind when New Zealand striker Hannah Wilkinson fired a 32nd minute shot narrowly wide.
On the stroke of half-time though, Hope’s side were unlucky when midfielder Laura Bassett’s 20-yard effort missed the target by inches.
The second half was a similar story to the first, though New Zealand twice might have taken the lead.
Wilkinson forced Bardsley into a brilliant 58th minute save, then six minutes later the goalkeeper dived full length to keep out substitute Sarah Gregorius’ powerful strike.
Between those two efforts, however, left winger Jess Clarke headed wide from an excellent cross by Susi.
And after striker Kelly Smith had seen a 70th minute volley saved by keeper Jenny Bindon, Scott wasted a last minute chance when she skied a shot high over the bar.
England will now meet New Zealand again on Saturday in their last game of the tournament.
You must log in to post a comment.