Two goals in added time have dashed the Football Ferns' hopes of a historic victory over trans-Tasman rivals Australia at Townsville.
The heartbreaking collapse over the closing moments has overshadowed an incredible long-range strike from Kiwi defender Anna Green that put her team ahead after 32 minutes and still held the lead after regulation time.
Sprinting down the left wing, Green sent a left-footed cross that drifted past Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams and inside the far post, stunning the world 12th-ranked team.
Four minutes into added time, Stephanie van Egmond was left alone inside the penalty box and slotted home a cross to level the scores, then 90 seconds later, Sam Kerr pounced on a loose ball from a corner to snatch victory.
"We are still in that kind of stage where our team is getting together," says NZ coach Jitka Klimkova . "If we are going to play the way we played today, we will be very proud of each other.
"I am happy about the process, not really about the result, but if you look at that 90, plus two minutes from the Ferns, it was an unbelievable performance and I am a very proud coach."
Australia have dominated this rivalry for 28 years - the last time the Ferns tasted victory - and probably should have won this encounter by more, with Green's goal only one of three shots musters by New Zealand. By contrast, the Matildas had 38 shots, 14 kept out by NZ keeper Vic Esson.
"We know she is a quality keeper," says Klimkova. "She is the one always focussing on those processes and when she has a chance to be our No.1, she always takes it the way she played today.
"She kept us in the game many times and that's what we expect from our goalkeeper."
New Zealand, ranked 22nd, have a chance to bounce back on Tuesday at Canberra.
Australia 2 (Van Egmond, Kerr) New Zealand 1 (Green)
