FIFA U-17 WOMEN&039;S WORLD CUP – YOUNG FERNS LOOKING FOR WINNING ENDNOTE

AUCKLAND – Tuesday night might be a day too early for fireworks but the Young Football Ferns are still determined to end their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup campaign with a bang.

After two courageous, attacking but ultimately unrewarded performances against Canada and Denmark, New Zealand play Colombia – champions of South America, and the best performed of that continent’s three representatives at this tournament – in their final match of the 16-nation tournament.

A quarterfinal place is out of the question for New Zealand but but coach Paul Temple said there was a long list of motivators in his side’s final hurrah.

“We want to finish the tournament on a high and give the Wellington people a show like we put on in Auckland, said Temple.

Also, it’s our last game as a group so it’s important we finish strongly. We’ve put so much over the last two years so there’s an element of wanting to win for ourselves as well.

“I think we’ve done everything but score the goals that would win us the game and the team just so want to celebrate and walk off that pitch saying we beat one of the best teams in the world.

Few people among the 25,000 fans that flocked to the team’s first two games in Auckland would be brave enough to suggest the kiwis deserve to be without a point at this stage but Temple says plenty have taken the time to offer positive feedback.

“It’s been quite humbling to hear some of the positive stuff from media and the public and we’re really grateful for that.

“It’s just kept us focussed that we are doing the right thing and if we keep plugging away we’ll get reward and hopefully that will be on Tuesday.”

Colombia, meanwhile, are still eyeing the second round as a win would take them to five points and overtake Denmark or Canada who clash in Hamilton at the same time. Temple said it’s a recipe for another thrilling match.

“It’s certainly not a dead rubber. They’ve got to win to qualify, and they’re going to be giving it everything as are we so it’s going to be a pretty attacking game.

“I think the technical ability of the Colombians will make it an exciting contest. They’ve taken points of two very good teams, and they have proved they’re the best South American team here – it would be a huge scalp for us.”

Temple still has injury concerns over fullback Caitlin Campbell (Achilles), midfielder Annalie Longo (calf) and goalkeeper Charlotte Wood (hip). Wood played no part in the first two games, Campbell limped out of the second game before halftime time while Longo played 90 minutes against the Danes despite the injury picked up against Canada.

However, Temple said Longo – New Zealand’s goal-scoring star from Saturday – was the most likely of the trio to walk out in front of an expected crowd of up to 10,000 while Campbell and Wood faced 11th-hour fitness tests.

“Annalie will be okay. She’s sore but she’ll be able to play and perform. She was going into the Denmark game, then took a knock but still managed to slot one in the top corner from 25 yards.

After 16 matches full of surprises and free-flowing football, Temple had his own thoughts on why the event has made such compelling viewing.

“Every team has gone for it. Before Germany and Ghana people may have said that one’s double figures but then Ghana come out, look great and it ends up 3-2. The group with France, Japan and USA has been blown wide open.

“It’s refreshing to see the youthful approach where it’s ‘come on let’s give it a go’ and that makes for good viewing.”

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup New Zealand 2008

Kick-off: 7pm

New Zealand: (from) 1-Charlotte WOOD (GK), 2-Anna FULLERTON, 3-Rebecca BROWN, 4-Leah GALLIE, 5-Bri FISHER (Captain), 6-Bridgette ARMSTRONG, 7-Caitlin CAMPBELL, 8-Sarah McLAUGHLIN, 9-Hannah WALL, 10-Annalie LONGO, 11-Rosie WHITE, 12-Claudia CRASBORN, 13-Nadia PEARL, 14-Katie BOWEN, 15-Victoria ESSON (GK), 16-Megan SHEA, 17-Jessica ROLLINGS, 18-Lauren MATHIS, 19-Lauren MURRAY, 20-Danielle McFADYEN (GK), 21-Yumi NGUYEN.

Coach: Paul TEMPLE

Colombia: (from) 1-Maria ECHEVERRI (GK), 2-Lina TABORDA, 3-Natalia GAITAN, 4-Diana VELEZ, 5-Natalia ARIZA, 6-Edna MENDEZ, 7-Nahiomy ORTIZ, 8-Alejandra QUINTERO, 9-Ingrid VIDAL, 10-Yorely RINCON, 11-Liana SALAZAR, 12-Paula FORERO (GK), 13-Gaby SANTOS, 14-Paola BAYONA, 15-Tatiana ARIZA, 16-Paola SANCHEZ, 17-Ana Maria MONTOYA, 18-Gabriela HUERTAS, 19-Andrea HERNANDEZ, 20-Vanessa APONTE, 21-Stefany CASTANO (GK)

Coach: Pedro RODRIGUEZ

Story provided by NZF Media. For full story visit www.nzsoccer.com