AUCKLAND – The Young Football Ferns have vowed to quickly re-focus their sights on Denmark after Tuesday’s painful loss to Canada in the opening game of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

While a record crowd for a female sporting event were treated to a pulsating match – with an attacking kiwi side throwing everything at the North Americans – the 0-1 loss hit the hosts hard given their second half dominance.

“Bouncing back” has been the theme of the team’s post-match reflections with captain Bri Fisher – visibly emotional after Tuesday’s final whistle – confident her team can pick themselves up for Saturday’s must-win game against Denmark.

“We were heartbroken on the night but we’re young and we’ll heal quickly.” Fisher said

“We deserved better than what we got but we can take plenty of pride in our performance so we have to keep our heads high and take that into Saturday.”

While Wednesday offered a day off from training to recover physically from the match, a trip back to North Harbour to watch Group A rivals Denmark and Colombia battle out a 1-1 draw helped switch attention back to the task of qualifying for the quarterfinals.

New Zealand head coach Paul Temple said the stalemate had done the chances of his side no harm.

“It’s a good result for us. It means that only one team has got the jump on us and we’re just one point off second,” Temple said.

“Our destiny is in our own hands.

“We’ve shown that when we get our key players on the ball we can trouble even the best teams.

“The nerves are out of the way and we’re looking forward to playing in front of another passionate crowd.”

Meanwhile, first-choice goalkeeper Charlotte Wood is making a good recovery from a hip injury as she pushes for a return to the starting line-up, although an assured performance from Wood’s deputy Victoria Esson has given Temple and his staff some selection breathing room if Wood fails a late fitness test.

The Young Football Ferns on-field preparations for Denmark continue with training in Takapuna on Thursday morning.

Story and image courtesy New Zealand Football Media…