The Ferns head for Germany via a warm-up tournament in Switzerland in which they play Wales, Colombia and Denmark as preparation for the main event – Group B matches against Japan, England and Mexico.
Rebecca Smith, who plays for VfL Wolfsburg in Germany, is fully aware of the hype building around the tournament and the two favoured teams in New Zealand’s pool, but says anything is possible at a World Cup.
“Japan are fourth in the world, England are talking about winning the World Cup, so we will have to be at our very best to edge them and Mexico and get into the next round,” Smith says.
“We have prepared well, we are focused and we are quietly confident that we can ruffle some feathers. It is a very tough task but as a group of players and staff we have the belief that we can do something special.”
The squad arrives in Switzerland on Monday (local time) with their first warm-up game against the Welsh on Wednesday. Matches against fellow World Cup finalists Colombia and Denmark follow on Saturday and Monday respectively.
“The games in Switzerland give us an opportunity to build momentum,” New Zealand coach John Herdman says.
“They will also help make sure everyone is physically and mentally bubbling away, and injury free, so that we are ready when we walk out against Japan on June 27.”
Switzerland Camp
New Zealand v Wales
Saviese, Switzerland
Wednesday June 15, 3pm (1am June 16, NZT)
New Zealand v Colombia
Apples, Switzerland
Saturday June 18, 6pm (4am June 19 NZT)
New Zealand v Denmark
Naters, Switzerland
Monday June 20, 5.30pm (3.30am June 21 NZT)
FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011
New Zealand v Japan
Bochum, Germany
Monday June 27, 3pm (1am June 28 NZT)
Live on Sky Sport
New Zealand v England
Dresden, Germany
Monday July 1, 6.15pm (4.15am July 2 NZT)
Live on Sky Sport
New Zealand v Mexico
Sinsheim, Germany
Monday July 5, 6.15pm (4.15am July 6 NZT)
Live on Sky Sport
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand football go to www.nzfootball.co.nz
For the latest FIFA Women’s World Cup news visit the FIFA tournament page