Ferns rising for USA challenge

Far from being daunted by the task of facing the standard bearers of women’s football in the Ferns’ first ever knockout match at a major event, New Zealand are taking the same relaxed, confident but focused approach into the game as they have done all tournament.Helping soothe the nerves is the memory of February’s international…

New Zealand needed to win the match and rely on a favourable result in the group’s other game between Egypt and Belarus, which Egypt won 3-0 to join Brazil in the quarter-finals.Brazil stamped their mark on the game early with New Zealand absorbing immense pressure in the opening stages.Just as New Zealand were adjusting to…

Strikes to Rebecca Smith, Sarah Gregorius and a Ysis Sonkeng own goal were enough to earn the Ferns their first victory in a FIFA tournament and a groundbreaking first appearance for a New Zealand women’s team in the knockout stages of a pinnacle event.Pre-match tension and uncertainty was eased during the warm-ups as news of…

The appointment of the former All Whites striker to the post was announced yesterday and he will begin work next month after signing off from the executive and also relinquishing his positions on the New Zealand Football board and FIFA World Cup Organising Committee.OFC President David Chung says de Jong has had a significant impact…

New Zealand will be among the first nations to get their campaign underway when they face European outfit Switzerland on August 19 before a crunch match with host nation Japan three days later at the Miyagi Stadium in Rifu. Powerhouse Mexico awaits the Junior Football Ferns in their final group match in Kobe on August…

Following Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Egypt, the Oly Whites are still in with a chance of reaching the quarter-finals but need to upset a star-studded Brazil chasing the only international men’s football title that has eluded them and hope that Belarus fail to beat Egypt.Even then it will come down to goal difference but Emblen…

The confederation also has a presence within the match official ranks at London 2012 and this was felt in just the fourth game of the men’s football tournament when an all-OFC trio controlled Uruguay’s win over United Arab Emirates in Group A.New Zealand’s Peter O’Leary was the man in the middle as Uruguay posted a…