New Zealand begin their fourth Women’s World Cup against the Dutch debutants at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton immediately after the tournament kicks off with host Canada facing China.
Netherlands clinched their first finals berth in an expanded 24-team tournament by beating Scotland and Italy in a pair of two-legged playoffs but despite their lack of experience at FIFA events, the Netherlands have regular exposure to testing World Cup qualification and the European Championships.
Readings isn’t expecting the Oranje to be green.
“We know that every single game in our group is going to be tight,” says Readings.
“The difference between the top ranked team, Canada, and every game will be close and this one against the Netherlands will be no different.
“They are ranked 12th in the World for a reason, and that’s because they are a very good team and among all the teams I’ve seen recently they are the ones who embrace the possession-based style the most.”
Readings sees similarities between the two teams at both end of the pitch and it will come down to “who can execute better on the day.”
“On our day our players can outperform their opposite number and when we do that collectively we can outperform any opposition.
“When you’re playing the best teams in the World – and we’ve got three of them in our group – you have to play to your potential. There’s just no room to hold anything back.”
In the talk about becoming a team who can challenge for the title, despite having yet to taste victory at previous World Cups, captain Abby Erceg has summed up the team’s desire to be contenders in simple terms.
“We want to be a threat at this World Cup,” says the 113-cap veteran.
“We want to be a team that others are forced to change their game and deal with with what we bring and how we can hurt them. We don’t fear anyone anymore.”
Meanwhile, Erceg is set to be joined in New Zealand’s 100-cap club by talismanic striker Amber Hearn. The 30-year-old is New Zealand’s all-time top scorer with 45 international goals.
FIFA Women’s World Cup
New Zealand v Netherlands
Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton
Saturday June 6, 2015
7pm (1pm, Sunday June 7 NZT)
Live on Sky Sport 2 from 12.45pm
New Zealand: (from) 1-Erin NAYLER (GK), 2-Ria PERCIVAL, 3-Anna GREEN, 4-Katie DUNCAN, 5-Abby ERCEG (captain), 6-Rebekah STOTT, 7-Ali RILEY, 8-Jasmine PEREIRA, 9-Amber HEARN, 10-Sarah GREGORIUS, 11-Kirsty YALLOP, 12-Betsy HASSETT, 13-Rosie WHITE, 14-Katie BOWEN, 15-Meikayla MOORE, 16-Annalie LONGO, 17-Hannah WILKINSON, 18-Catherine BOTT, 19-Evie MILLYNN, 20-Daisy CLEVRLEY, 21-Rebecca ROLLS (GK), 22-Emma KETE, 23-Cushla LICHTWARK (GK)
Coach: Tony READINGS
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football
For more on FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ visit www.fifa.com

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