Football: Katie Kitching sinks Thailand in dominant Football Ferns victory

Football Ferns have coasted to a 4-0 victory over Thailand in their international friendly at Christchurch's Orangetheory Stadium on Saturday.

Led by a double from substitute Katie Kitching, the world No. 28 ranked New Zealanders were scarcely troubled in a one-sided contest against the 47th placed Thais, recording their sixth straight win off the back of their Olympics qualifying tournament in Samoa.

New Zealand opened the scoring in the 17th minute, when Indiah-Paige Riley laid a deft through ball on a platter for Hannah Wilkinson to slot a low shot past the goalkeeper.

The hosts doubled their advantage in the 64th minute, with Wilkinson turning provider with a pinpoint low cross into the box for Jacqui Hand to calmly fire into the back of the net.

Kitching piled on the misery for the visitors, punishing the Thai defence for a mistake at the back banging home the third goal of the day.

Minutes before the fulltime, CJ Bott was taken down hard in the box and the referee immediately awarded the Ferns a penalty, which Kitching made no mistake with.

The teams remain in Christchurch for a rematch at the same venue on Tuesday.

Football Ferns have coasted to a 4-0 victory over Thailand in their international friendly at Christchurch's Orangetheory Stadium on Saturday.

Led by a double from substitute Katie Kitching, the world No. 28 ranked New Zealanders were scarcely troubled in a one-sided contest against the 47th placed Thais, recording their sixth straight win off the back of their Olympics qualifying tournament in Samoa.

New Zealand opened the scoring in the 17th minute, when Indiah-Paige Riley laid a deft through ball on a platter for Hannah Wilkinson to slot a low shot past the goalkeeper.

The hosts doubled their advantage in the 64th minute, with Wilkinson turning provider with a pinpoint low cross into the box for Jacqui Hand to calmly fire into the back of the net.

Kitching piled on the misery for the visitors, punishing the Thai defence for a mistake at the back banging home the third goal of the day.

Minutes before the fulltime, CJ Bott was taken down hard in the box and the referee immediately awarded the Ferns a penalty, which Kitching made no mistake with.

The teams remain in Christchurch for a rematch at the same venue on Tuesday.

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