NS Exclusive: Silver Ferns too good for Malawi Queens in World Cup opener

The New Zealand Silver Ferns started their World Cup campaign a little shaky before blowing the cobwebs off to put away an emphatic win over the Malawi Queens.

Maria Folau opened the tournament’s goal scoring account less than 40 seconds into the start before consolidating a second goal within the opening minute. However, the Queens showed patience in their front end, working the ball around until a clean feed opened up.

Photo: Danny Dalton

The Queens ran with the Ferns for the next few minutes, applying intense defensive pressure, which was rewarded with turnovers and a 2-goal lead mid-way through the first.

Malawi shooters Joyce Mvula and Sindi Simtowe were solid on the shot, both shooting at 100% during the opening quarter.

The Ferns ground their way back in front thanks, mostly, to some impressive defensive efforts of Casey Kopua. The 105* game veteran started to play more on the body, shutting out the space which Simtowe had previously exploited. Kopua finished the term with one intercept, two gains and three deflections.

At the start of the second quarter the Ferns found their rhythm across the entire court. They held the Queens to no goals for the first four minutes while they went on a 6-goal scoring spree.

Jane Watson and Casey Kopua were strong in defence. Photo: Danny Dalton

The changes to Malawi’s front line weren’t gelling during the second quarter. However, once Jane Chimaliro and Bridget Kumwenda were brought on 5-minutes into the quarter, the Queens found more space and were able to run goal-for-goal for the remainder of the term. However, the Silver Ferns still won the quarter 15-6.

During the third term Mvula found her range from distance. The confidence on the shots lifted the trust from her feeders who released the ball more freely.

Jane Watson, who was having a solid game, was benched for the last term with Kopua then moved back to keeper and Katrina Rore brought on at GD.

Speaking after the game, Watson was pleased with her combination with Kopua. “It was definitely rough in patches. Hopefully with time together it will build through the week and peak at the right time.”

The final term was the best from the Queens as they matched with the slick Silver Ferns right across the court. But it was too little too late as the Ferns closed out the game with a 19-goal win.

Photo: Danny Dalton

Speaking after the game, Malawi centre court player, Takondwa Lwazi, was feeling positive about their performance.

“Although we lost today to New Zealand, we haven’t lost hope that next time we can win.”

New Zealand coach, Noeline Taura, was pleased with her team’s performance.

“It was a good start. But there were areas where I thought we were a bit rusty. In saying that, giving credit to Malawi, they play so unorthodox and if we get caught chasing from one side to the other which at times I thought we did, then we get reactive.”

Lineups

New Zealand Silver Ferns

GS Maria Folau

GA Ameliaranne Ekenasio

WA Gina Crampton

C Laura Langman

WD Karin Burger

GD Casey Kopua

GK Jane Watson

Changes:  Q3 WD Pheonix Karaka, Karin Burger bench, Gina Crampton bench, Shannon Saunders WA,

Q4 Katrina Rore GD, Casey Kopua GK, Jane Watson bench, Amelia Ekenasio bench, Te Pae Selby Rickit GA,

Malawi Queens

GS Joyce Mvula

GA Sindi Simtowe

WA Thandie Galleta

C Takondwa Lwazi

GD Caroline Mtukule

GK Towera Vinkhumbo

Changes: Q2 Joyce Mvula – bench,  Alineafe Kamwala GS then bench, Sindi Simtowe GS, Jane Chimaliro GA, Thandie Galleta bench, Bridget Kumwenda WA

Q3 Joyce Mvula GS, Sindi Simtowe bench, Towera Vinkhumbo GD, Loreen Ngwia GK, Caroline Mtukule bench

Key Stats

Shooting:

New Zealand

Maria Folau   38/42 90%

Amerliaranne Ekenasio 21/22 95.5%

Te Paea Selby Rickit 5/6 83%

Malawi

Joyce Mvula  22/27  81.5%

Jane Chimaliro  18/22  81.8%

Sindi Simtowe 4/6  66.7%

Alinafe Kamwala 1/2  50%

Goal Assists

Laura Langman (New Zealand) 19

Takondwa Lwazi (Malawi) 19

Shannon Saunders (New Zealand) 14

Feeds

Takondwa Lwazi (Malwai) 35

Laura Langman (New Zealand) 23

Shannon Saunders (New Zealand) 19

*this match was Casey Kopua’s 105^thinternational cap.