Coach Tony Readings is looking for his team to begin to put in place the game plan they will need in seven month’s time.
The 19th ranked Football Ferns have set lofty goals at the World Cup and have come to Europe for three internationals in six days to replicate some of the pressures and quality of opposition they will find in Canada next year. After Sunday’s game against France they meet ninth ranked Norway in two internationals.
New Zealand has met France twice before, losing on penalties after a 1-1 draw in 2009 and losing 5-2 in 2011.
Readings said the team is far from shying away from the significant challenges ahead.
“It’s a big test for us but one we are relishing because we know in seven month’s time we are going to be playing in the World Cup, playing against the world’s best teams. When we get there we want to be beating those teams consistently because we have lofty goals,” Readings said.
“The best way to achieve that is play them as often as we can so we can learn what works, what we have to work on in these next seven months.”
Having flown in from around the globe with only a few days to reacquaint themselves, the team will meet a sterner challenge than their dominant efforts in winning the Oceania Nations Cup last month to seal qualification to the World Cup. Prior to that, the Football Ferns were buoyed by their two draws against powerhouse Brazil at home in June.
“The girls love being part of the Football Ferns and we have hit the ground running,” Readings said.
“The team has so much more potential to realise so it is quite inspiring when you see players who you have not seen for a month or so and when they come in they have improved a lot and it forces the others to pick up their game.
“The weakness is we do not have as much time together so we can’t work on things more but the real strength is that when the players to come in they work really hard to make the most of that time together.”
The Football Ferns will want to build on their renowned defensive qualities against an outstanding French combination. They have allowed 14 goals in the last 13 internationals and scored 36 at the other end.
“We haven’t played them for a while and we have improved a whole lot and they have become one of the world’s true forces,” he said of France – semi-finalists at the last World Cup and the 2012 Olympics.
“Our major strengths have been our defence and our ability to make it difficult for teams to build up their attacks but we need to improve this further.
“France can use a patient build up but they are also potent at the counter-attack and use their pace when they win the ball from deep. We are expansive with the ball when we have it in possession and at times when teams win the ball deep against us they can hurt us. So it is a part of our game that will be tested and it’s an area that we have been exploited in the past.”
While Readings is looking for a strong showing and a positive result, it is also an important whiteboard opportunity in their pathway to Canada.
“What we are hoping for is we can not only match France but out-perform them. We want our girls to execute the way we want to play and stick to our playing model.
“When the final whistle blows we want to ensure we have learned as much as we can. Often in the run-in to a World Cup it is who learns the most and who applies those learnings most is successful.”
Readings will name the team on Saturday ahead of the match in Laval on Sunday (NZ time 6.30am) with live coverage on SKY Sport 3 (NZ only)
Match details
France v Football Ferns
Sunday 23 November, 6.30am (NZ time)
Live on Sky Sport 3
Football Ferns (from): 1. Erin Nayler (GK), 2. Ria Percival, 4. Katie Hoyle, 5. Abby Erceg (capt), 6. Rebekah Stott, 7. Ali Riley, 8. Hayley Bowden, 9. Amber Hearn, 10. Sarah Gregorius, 11. Kirsty Yallop, 12. Betsy Hassett, 15. Meikayla Moore, 16. Annalie Longo, 18. Hannah Wilkinson, 20. Helen Collins, 21. Rebecca Rolls (GK), 22. Evie Millynn, 24. Jasmine Pereira, 25. Isabella Coombes, 27. Catherine Bott

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