AUCKLAND – The Football Ferns begin a two-and-a-half year journey to the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup with their Four Nations opener against China in Guangzhou on Sunday.

After increasingly confident and competitive performances against major nations in 2008, head coach John Herdman said 2009 would begin the search for the right the tactics and players needed to reach a new level by the time they reach the Germany-hosted finals.

“Every game is a step towards where we want to be in 2011, where we can consistently beat top teams,” Herdman said.

“That journey starts now, and if we don’t look to change the way we play then we’ll we can’t expect to break through that ceiling.”

A behind-closed-doors training match on Thursday night against the Korea Republic – who the Ferns meet in their second Four Nations match on Monday – gave Herdman the perfect opportunity to “experiment with a few things” and start building a new style of Football Ferns play.

“It’s the first time for a long time we’ve had a training game against international opposition where you can take the pressure right off the players and focus of process goals.”

“We need to be a team who can control the tempo of game even against the best teams, so Thursday night was all about , keeping possession in any area of the pitch, setting new benchmarks for pass completion rate and genrally living in a new skin.”

New Zealand lost the training match 0-4 to the Koreans, thanks to “two good goals and two bad mistakes” but Herdman was happy to use the exercise to trial a new formation and introduce four uncapped teenagers to international football.

“We’ve been able to sample young players and gauge what contribution they can make.

“They would have learned a lot international football at this level as well. It’s quicker, players are stronger and you’ve got to be smarter.

“We’ll continue to develop them on this tour, as it’s a precursor to the Cyprus Cup in March and an opportunity to ensure we have the right mix of players for that tournament and beyond.”

Herdman singled out U-17 and U-20 winger Hannah Wall as the most impressive of the newcomers on Thursday and indicated the Wellingtonian would press hard to make her full international debut as part of the walk-on eleven against China.

Departing from a traditional 4-4-2, Herdman unveiled a new formtion on Thursday night – with attack-minded captain Hayley Moorwood in a slightly unfamiliar role at the base of a midfield diamond.

The Ferns coach wouldn’t be drawn as to whether the new shape would be used against the Chinese, but did confirm it formed part of his long-term plans.

“We still haven’t got a Han Duan, Birgit Prinz or Christine Sinclair – a player who can turn a game even when their team is playing badly, so tactically we need to be flexible and have a trump card up our sleeve.”

Meanwhile, first choice goalkeeper Jenny Bindon joins the team in China on Friday fresh from trials in the USA in time to suit up against the tournament hosts.

Four Nations Tournament, Guangzhou, China

Football Ferns v China

January 11, 1.05am (NZT)

New Zealand: (from) Jenny BINDON (GK), Aroon CLANSEY (GK), Caitlin CAMPBELL, Abby ERCEG, Anna GREEN, Kristy HILL, Elizabeth MILNE, Betsy HASSETT, Katie HOYLE, Annalie LONGO, Hayley MOORWOOD (Captain), Ria PERCIVAL, Kirsty YALLOP, Amber HEARN, Emma KETE, Sarah McLAUGHLIN, Hannah WALL, Rosie WHITE.

Head Coach: John Herdman

Story and image courtesy of www.nzfootball.co.nz