The New Zealand under-17 women's footballers have beaten their Australian counterparts 2-1 in the first of three internationals at a rain-soaked North Harbour Stadium on Monday night.
Fourteen-year-old Martine Puketapu nodded in a 13th minute corner for New Zealand before Jasmine Pereira doubled the lead with a well-taken low shot on the half hour mark.
The Young Football Ferns dominated the first half but a revived Australian outfit came out firing after the break and the visitors eventually got on the scoreboard in the 89th minute when Jessica Dillon unlocked the New Zealand defence for Amy Harrison to score.
The match represented the first international for this class of Young Football Ferns, who are building towards qualifying for the next year's FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Azerbaijan.
The three match series continues on Wednesday night and concludes on Friday with both matches to be played at North Harbour Stadium kicking off at 6pm.
