By 
New Zealand had the better of the game but failed to take their chances in a 1-1 draw with the Copper Queens.
According to New Zealand’s football online publication Friends of Football, the friendly women’s international at the Stade Louis Darragon, Vichy, provided both sides with the chance to prepare for the Paris Olympics.
New Zealand rested Macey Fraser, Grace Jale, and Indiah-Paige Riley, with acting head coach Michael Mayne adding his Olympic tournament reserves Michaela Foster, Annalie Longo, Murphy Sheaff, and Claudia Bunge to the matchday squad.
Both coaches clearly used the match to prepare their squad, making full use of substitutions and positional changes.
Zambia’s best effort in the first half was a 35-metre shot from Ochumba Lubanji that went wide of Vic Esson’s right post.
The best chance of the first half went to New Zealand’s Milly Clegg, who was found by a Malia Steinmetz pass. Clegg turned, got clear of two defenders, and dribbled around goalkeeper Ngambo Muscsole, but her shot was cleared off the line by a desperate defender.
The second half started well for the Ferns, with Clegg creating havoc when she darted into the box.
Her low cross was met by Jacqui Hand, but she couldn’t bundle the ball into the net. The ball rebounded to Katie Kitching, but she was unable to capitalize.
In the 49th minute, Zambia went ahead when an Esther Siamfuko free kick on the right was met by Rhoda Chileshe, whose powerful header flew past Esson and into the net.
New Zealand had territorial advantage and kept Zambia pinned in their own half for much of the second spell.
Their efforts paid off when New Zealand were awarded a penalty for handball after the Zambia defense struggled to clear a penalty box melee and the ball struck Siamfuko’s arm. Kitching sent the ‘keeper the wrong way to slot the penalty inside the post.
The Sunderland winger almost scored her second soon after when her inswinging corner was misjudged by ‘keeper Muscsole, and the ball hit the far post. Anna Leat replaced Esson in goal for the last 20 minutes and was called into action straight away, blocking a shot at close range.
With 10 minutes to go, Clegg’s shot from close range was deflected over the bar by ‘keeper Muscsole.
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