New Zealand have been bundled out of the soccer women’s World Cup, battling to the last but falling short in drawing 2-2 with China in their final pool match in Canada on Tuesday (NZT).

After a 1-0 loss to the Netherlands and a scoreless draw with Canada, the Football Ferns had to win in Winnipeg to progress through to the last 16. They came tantalisingly close, but couldn’t find the elusive winner that would have secured them a berth as one of the four best third-place teams .

Rebekah Stott’s powerful right-foot finish put the Kiwis ahead after 28 minutes, the uncompromising defender lashing home from Ria Percival’s corner for New Zealand’s first goal of the tournament.

They looked set to head into the break with the lead, but were hit hard by a harsh 41st minute penalty when Hungarian referee Katalin Kulcsar ruled midfielder Betsy Hassett had handled in the area. Replays showed the ball had ricocheted off her chest, but Lisi Wang converted from the spot kick to level the scores at halftime.

A third change looked likely when defensive linchpin Abbey Erceg went down with an ankle injury seven minutes after the re-start, but the Kiwi skipper returned as China continued to pressure the New Zealand goal.

They were rewarded as the 60-minute mark ticked over, Kiwi keeper Erin Nayler slightly slow off her line and Shanshan Wang climbing high to head home and grab the lead.

The New Zealanders continued to push forward, snatching the equaliser barely four minutes later. Ali Riley, who had constantly threatened down the left, capitalised on the extra space with a tantalising cross which Amber Hearn nodded back for Hannah Wilkinson to slam home.

Although they pushed hard into injury-time, the Ferns couldn’t find the winner which would have put them into the knockout phase for the first time.

Coach Tony Readings said that while the result was disappointing, he couldn’t be prouder of his team. “We knew we had to come here and score goals, and we got a couple. I think we were the better team - we created more chances, but we were on the end of a referee’s decision that hasn’t gone our way for the second time in three games.”