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Switzerland breaks Kiwi hearts in World Cup stalemate

New Zealand has been knocked out of the Women’s World Cup, exiting their home tournament after failing to find a breakthrough goal against Switzerland.

The Swiss held the desperate Football Ferns at bay in a 0-0 draw in Dunedin on Sunday night that means they progress to the last 16 as Group A winners.

Jacqui Hand’s first-half volley which struck the post was as close as it got for the Kiwis, who weren’t expected to challenge for the knockout rounds.

Instead, Ali Riley’s side inspired the rugby-mad nation with a 1-0 opening night defeat of Norway and battled higher-credentialled opponents right to the wire.

The Swiss proved impossible to break down for a third straight game, and head into the last 16 without a single goal conceded.

The concurrent kick-offs at either end of New Zealand made for a dramatic Sunday night.

The Football Ferns began in third place, but were elevated to second in the live standings when Norway went 1-0 up in Auckland.

As the Scandinavians began to rout Alen Stajcic’s side 6-0, it became clear that only a win would do for the Kiwis.

Jitka Klimkova brought in veteran Annalie Longo and Olivia Chance, who impressed off the bench in their 1-0 loss to the Philippines, and the pair played their part in a bright first 45.

New Zealand shaded the first half, bringing energy and fizz to its attacking efforts but without reward.

Hand went closest in the 23rd minute, attempting an audacious volley from a tight angle which ricocheted off the post.

The show-stopping effort was the second time in as many games the 24-year-old hit the woodwork, along with her now-infamous disallowed goal against the Philippines.

Hand fell awkwardly on her ankle as the half ticked down but soldiered on, as did goalkeeper Vic Esson after the break.

Indiah-Paige Riley was injected at half-time and with 20 minutes remaining, Klimkova pulled holding midfielder Ria Percival for tall forward Grace Jale as she sought a breakthrough.

New Zealand piled on the pressure. Malia Steinmetz sent a volley into the arms of a grateful Gaelle Thalmann in the Swiss goal, and substitute Claudia Bunge did the same with a long-range header.

Opening night hero Hannah Wilkinson was then dragged for young gun Gabi Rennie with 10 minutes left as New Zealand became increasingly frantic.

Esson was sent forward for late set pieces and put a header wide in the fifth minute of injury time before time ran out on the Kiwi challenge.

-AAP

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