Percival features in final New Zealand warm-up

Ria Percival


Ria Percival featured in New Zealand's final FIFA Women's World Cup warm-up fixture on Tuesday night, as the Football Ferns fell to a late 1-0 defeat against Wales.

Fresh from defeating England at the weekend, New Zealand travelled to Cardiff prior to heading out to France for the tournament, with Hammers defender Percival involved from the off.

Percival was turning out for her country the 143rd time, and it was the visitors who dominated possession in the early stages only for Wales to hold firm.

New Zealand's golden chance to score came on the stroke of half-time when they were awarded a penalty, but Wales keeper Laura O'Sullivan kept out Sarah Gregorious' effort.

Percival was substituted on 58 minutes, and Wales secured victory right at the end through Kayleigh Green.

New Zealand's World Cup campaign gets underway on Tuesday when they take on the Netherlands in Le Havre, with Group E fixtures against Canada - and fellow Hammer Adriana Leon - and Cameroon to follow.

This will be the Football Ferns' fifth participation at a World Cup finals, where they will be aiming to reach the knockout stages for the first time.