Game 1 - New Zealand vs Norway

It’s the Ferns against the Grasshoppers at a ground synonymous with the All Blacks! The New Zealand men’s rugby team are unbeaten here since 1994 and, while the Norwegians are strong favourites, the hosts will be hoping that the legendary home support helps drive them to victory.

Half an hour until kick off and even a cursory glance of he lineups reinforces the feeling that the New Zealanders are up against it today. Players from some of the biggest club sides in the world - Lyon, Barcelona, Chelsea and Arsenal - are sprinkled throughout the Norway team. Even I know Caroline Hansen, Guro Reiten and Ada Hegerberg!

It’s almost 30 years since a Women’s World Cup host lost their opening match - Sweden losing 1-0 to Brazil. In fact that’s the only time it has happened. I’m the world’s second worst tipster but I think the Swedes are about to have some company.

OK, the New Zealand anthem was cool. A lot of emotion there so I don’t think the Ferns are going to die wondering. Love their kit as well!

5 min: early signs that NZ are going to be direct, launching a few balls forward. They’re working hard when Norway have the ball and not letting them settle. As I write that the tactic works, causing mayhem at the back. Wilkinson might be tall but she’s no slouch either. NZ will be happy the way things have started

10 min: not sure how long this can last but NZ are closing down so quickly. Paige Riley has been impressive to start, she is everywhere.

14 min: Norway really need to settle down here. They can’t get a foothold at all. NZ haven’t looked like scoring but they are finding space in the middle of the park now - Percival and Steinmetz in particular

16 min: NZ have had a couple of free kicks in decent positions but the delivery hasn’t been great. And then Norway cause havoc from a corner. I worry for the Kiwis at the back. The ball has been in their box twice and they haven’t dealt with things convincingly at all.

20 min: as if to prove the point - first chance to Maanum but she snatches at it. Might have worked with the usual Eden Park goal posts I guess.

23 min: a bit of frustration creeping in here for the Norwegians and Reiten a little lucky to get away with a shirt pull. Another corner here for NZ thanks to a quick throw from Bott. Wasted again but NZ looking decent.

30 min: just an observation but I feel Norway are playing into NZ’s hands a little bit by playing through the middle. The space is out wide as the Kiwis are defending narrow and flooding the midfield. The Norwegians need a rethink ’cause this ain’t working.

36 min: wow, pace from Hansen. One opportunity down the right and she causes havoc, out pacing the chasing defenders. A brilliant tackle from Stott to deny Hegerberg from the cut back. Big warning though….

44 min: the directness and commitment almost pays off. Wilkinson muscles her way on to a flick and only a brilliant covering tackle from Bjelde prevents a shot on target (which would be the first of the match I think)

Half Time: well, hugely impressive start from NZ. Percival WOTM so far for me. She has controlled the middle of the park. Other stand outs for me have been Bott and Paige Riley down the right where Norway look vulnerable. Harviken and Tuva Hansen haven’t impressed to date. Hassett has really epitomised the Ferns’ commitment as well. They have made it very difficult for Norway to get it into their stars feet - Reiten and Hegerberg have been particularly ineffective. I’m a little worried for Ali Riley. She’s clearly trying to stop Caroline Hansen from getting the ball and she needs to be careful she doesn’t sell herself.

47 min: Norway already moving it quicker and pressing higher. and It costs them. NZ break the press. Brilliant ball from Paige Riley releases Jacque Hand and she rolls it across the six yard box to Wilkinson who yet again outpaces the Norwegian central defenders and finishes confidently. Lovely goal.

50 min: Norway’s right hand side continues to struggle. First Riley gets the better of the full back but a heavy touch sees the opportunity subside and then Wilkinson again finds a pocket of space to win a corner. She’s too strong for Harviken.

59 min: Maanum probably should have scored. Ali Riley made it hard for her but a pretty simple ball down the left and Hegerberg showed her strength, helping the ball on to Reiten who got it to Maanum. Just closed down quickly enough in the end.

61 min: cracking effort from Paige Riley cutting in from the right. Decent save but I’ve been hugely impressed by Riley. At the other end, more evidence that Norway are trying to get Hegerberg the ball in the channels. Her movement has been much better this half.

67 min: Haavi, who came on for Blakstad 10 minutes ago, has made a bit of a difference. She’s been very direct and is finding space on the left. Still, NZ the better side. Continually breaking things up in the middle of the park.

75 min: Hassett yet again finding space in midfield and moving it on to the ever willing Wilkinson who lays it off to Percival. She shoots just wide from the edge of the box. Good stuff from the Ferns. They have out worked the Norwegians today. Deserve more if anything.

80 min: lovely one two between Tuva Hansen and Hegerberg sees the former curl one on to the bar. On second look a touch from the keeper pushes it on to the bar. Norway starting to look a bit more dangerous now in general and it looks like NZ’s ferocious closing down for 80 minutes is taking its toll. I’m a neutral but keep going Ferns!!

85 min: our first yellow card (for Haavi). A result of Paige Riley’s relentlessness. She’s at Brisbane Roar. If she continues in this vein throughout the tournament, I guarantee you she won’t be for much longer.

87 min: VAR….is this a Penalty. It’s inside but might be a little harsh if given. It is! And we hear the referee talking. This is new and really cool.

89 min: Percival to take. She deserves it more than anyone. Oh no….hits the bar.

90 min: Nine (9) mins of injury time. Gee Hand never stops. Poor final ball but the two up front for New Zealand have run all day. The reality is that the lack of pressure on the Kiwi midfielders has given them time to pick them both out all match. I feel for the Norwegian defenders. They haven’t been great but they’ve been let down by their midfield today.

98 min: possibly a final chance. Haavi profits from a slip to find some space. A cross into the box falls for Reiten who’s effort was tame.

FULL TIME: 1-0 to New Zealand. Deserved winners. They outfought Norway but it wasn’t just passion that won today. They outplayed their opponents as well. Percival, Steinmetz and Hassett dominated the midfield, finding more space than their counterparts and enabling them to bring Riley, Wilkinson and Hand into the match.

Seems almost unfair singling out anyone in black - the defense kept a couple of genuine stars quiet - but for me it was Percival who was the best player on the park. Riley second and Wilkinson third.

From Norway’s perspective, it’s hard to know what to say. They lacked any semblance of control. Their midfield was really poor - not close enough defensively, not getting their feet on the ball when in possession. Reiten was hugely disappointing today and, while the stats suggest the match was pretty even, it didn’t feel like it.

On to match 2…and the other co-hosts, Australia.