China Down Futsal Ferns to Seal Series Win Ahead of World Cup

HOHHOT, China — China produced a dominant performance on Sunday to defeat New Zealand’s Futsal Ferns 5-2 in the deciding fixture of their three-match international series at the Hohhot Sports Centre.

The result gave China a 2-1 series victory, marking a significant boost for the 24th-ranked side as they prepare for their FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup qualifiers. New Zealand, currently ranked 19th in the FIFA women’s futsal standings, had taken the second match in a thrilling penalty shootout after a 5-5 draw.

Sunday’s final match saw China control the tempo from the outset. Despite second-half goals from Britney-Lee Nicholson and Sophie Williams, New Zealand struggled to match the hosts’ intensity and finishing touch.

The three-match series served as crucial preparation for both nations ahead of the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, which kicks off in the Philippines from November 21 to December 7, 2025.

“This series offered our squad valuable international minutes,” Futsal Ferns head coach [insert name if available] said. “While the final result wasn’t what we hoped for, the experience will strengthen our campaign heading into the World Cup.”

The Futsal Ferns. Photo credit: NZF Futsal.

Series Recap:

• Game 1 (April 9):
  China opened the series with a narrow 1-0 win, courtesy of a goal from Zou Yinglan.

• Game 2 (April 11):
  In a goal-fest, the Futsal Ferns responded with a 5-5 draw in regulation—highlighted by braces from Shivanthi Anthony and Hannah Kraakman—before clinching a 6-5 win in a dramatic penalty shootout.

• Game 3 (April 13):
  China took control early and never looked back, securing a 5-2 win to wrap up the series on home soil. Goals from Nicholson and Williams were not enough to stop the Chinese momentum.

New Zealand, already qualified for the 2025 World Cup, utilized the series to fine-tune combinations and assess depth across the squad. China, meanwhile, will enter their qualification campaign in strong form following the series triumph.

Futsal Ferns Squad – April Series:

• Goalkeepers: Sarah Alder (Capital Futsal), Shivanthi Anthony (ASV Pescadola Machida, Japan)

• Defenders & Midfielders: Libby Boobyer, Fran Grange (Capital Futsal); Jamie Evans (Waikato Rapids); Ellena Firth, Jordana Bremner (Papakura City x NRF); Hannah Hegarty (Canterbury United Pride)

• Forwards: Danielle Bradley, Sophie Williams (Melbourne Evolution); Hannah Kraakman, Dayna Manak, Cat Pretty (Bloomsbury Futsal, England); Britney-Lee Nicholson (Canterbury United Pride)

Match Results:

🗓️ April 9, 2025 – Game 1
China 1 (Zou Yinglan)
New Zealand 0

🗓️ April 11, 2025 – Game 2
China 5
New Zealand 5 (Shivanthi Anthony 2, Hannah Kraakman 2, Libby Boobyer)
New Zealand won 6-5 on penalties

🗓️ April 13, 2025 – Game 3
China 5
New Zealand 2 (Britney-Lee Nicholson, Sophie Williams)