Wollongong saw but a glimpse of what emerging superstar Caitlin Foord is capable of, Matildas coach Tom Sermanni declared last night.
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The Lake Illawarra teenager was among Australia's better players, creating several first-half chances in the 1-1 draw with New Zealand.
In one of the best, she combined with striker Sarah Walsh, who pushed a pass back into Foord's path to create a clear chance, but the teenage sensation could only put the ball into the side netting.
Defender Thea Slatyer saved Australia's blushes with a stunning 93rd-minute equaliser.
Foord, the Germany Women's World Cup 2011 young player of the tournament, was damaging with room to move along the right side, but Sermanni said she was a long way from fulfilling her enormous potential.
"We saw lashes of what Caitlin's capable of ... she's got that X-factor," Sermanni said. "You can't go for 90 minutes in a game [like she did in the first half]; the type of game meant she did a lot of defending.
"She's only going to get better. She's still 17.
"Once she starts to mature and gets stronger and quicker, we're going to see a more devastating player."
Foord admitted her desire to score in front of her friends and family at WIN Stadium yesterday.
"I was trying, but the chance on my left, I just didn't hit it well," Foord said.
"We had our chances.
"The first half I got the ball a lot more, in the second half it was coming down the other side a lot more."
While Australia were missing a number of their top players, due to overseas club campaigns, it was dual international superstar Ellyse Perry who delivered the corner for Slatyer to level the scores just before full-time.
Sermanni said that the likes of Foord showed Australia would be an international powerhouse in years to come.
"We've got a lot of debutants and inexperience in the team - we've got a bright future ahead," Sermanni said.
"Given the circumstances I was pleased with the number of chances we created.
"We haven't played together much at all.
"New Zealand are right at the peak of their preparation for the Olympics, very well organised and well drilled.
"[The draw was] incredibly significant. It will give the players, especially the new ones, a lot of confidence."