FOOTBALL FERNS BEIJING BOUND

The result was inevitable according to New Zealand Coach John Herdman but the game told a different story as New Zealand struggled to break down a resolute Papua New Guinea backline in the first half.

It took 55 minutes before they were able to break the deadlock when Renee Leotta was first to react to a scrappy clearance in the PNG box and coolly smashed the ball into the bottom corner to give goalkeeper Roxanne Komeng no chance.

Kirsty Yallop made sure of things in the 81st minute when she found time and space in the PNG six yard box to calmly slot the ball into the right corner.

But the real story of the day was the spirited, gutsy performance of the Papua New Guinea side who had the crowd on their feet from start to finish with their inspirational performance.

The match marked the first ever live broadcast of Women’s soccer in PNG – through EMTV – and combined with falling on International Women’s day proved a very inspirational day for the Women of the PNG squad.

Captain Miriam Moeder – named best defender of the match by sponsors Toyota – led by example and was emotional when she said that the match was one that she will remember for the rest of her life.

“I am very, very proud of my team. Last time we played New Zealand we lost 7-0 and today was a great improvement. It was a good day.”

Coach Francis Moyap was equally proud of his team.

“We knew that New Zealand had a big size advantage and were good with the long ball. I told our girls that it needed to be a team performance to compete and that’s what they gave me. Today’s performance came from the heart.”

New Zealand coach John Herdman admitted that his side looked physically tired after a grueling schedule over the last week.

“We just had three games in six day’s in Australia leading into this one, and combined with only having one day to acclimatize made it very tough on the girls.

“But they dug in mentally and battled well through the immense heat.”

New Zealand Captain Hayley Moorwood was very animated at the prospect of playing in the Olympic Games in August.

“I can’t explain how excited I am to even think about the Olympics. A year ago it wasn’t even a thought and now we’re right on the doorstep.”

Like the New Zealand Men’s side – who can confirm their nomination with a point against the Cook Islands on Sunday – the Football Ferns still require New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) ratification to take their place in the 12-nation women’s draw.

That could happen as early as next week when a New Zealand Football representative meets with the NZOC’s three-man Olympic selection panel to sell the Olympic merits of both teams.

“We have to now try and compile evidence that these girls deserve to be Olympians,” said Herdman

OFC WOMENS OLYMPIC FOOTBALL PLAYOFF

PAPUA NEW GUINEA vs. NEW ZEALAND

PORT MORESBY RUGBY LEAGUE STADIUM

PORT MORESBY

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

SATURDAY 8 MARCH 2008

KICK-OFF: 14H00 (PNG TIME)

PNG: 3. Katherina SALAIAU; 5. Helen BAKI; 7. Julie ALAU (12. Samantha PENINSA 42’) ; 9. Deslyn SINIU; 10. Catherine MOEDER; 11. Daisy WINAS; 14. Tracey KIG; 15. Miriam LANTA ©; 16. Ara MIDI; 19. Lydia BANABAS (8. Pauline TURAKAUR 72’); 20. Linda BUNAGA [gk].

SUBS: 1. Roxanne KOMENG; 4. Martha KIAPIN; 13. Katherine KUSUNAN; 17. Cathy AGUNAM; 18. Sakapu MARK.

COACH: Francis MOIYAP (PNG)

CAUTIONS: 3. Kathrina SALAIAU 44’; 12. Samantha PENINSA 64’; 10. Caroline MOEDER 71’; 16. Ara MIDI 76’;

RED CARDS:

GOALS:

NZL: 2. Ria PERCIVAL; 3. Merissa SMITH (9. Wendi HENDERSON) ; 4, Emily McCOLL; 5. Abi ERCEG; 6. Maia JACKMAN; 7. Simone FERRARA (11. Kirsty YALLOP 46’); 8. Hayley MOORWOOD ©; 13. Anna BROMLEY; 14. Renee LEOTA; 15. Emma KETE (10.Annalise LONGO 46’) ; 16. Rachel HOWARD [gk].

SUBS: 1. Jenny BINDON [rgk]

COACH: John HERDMAN (ENG)

ABSENT: 12. Ali RILEY.

CAUTIONS:

RED CARDS:

GOALS: 14. Renee LEOTA; 11. Kirsty YALLOP;

REFEREE: Tammy OGSTON (AUS)

ASSISTANT REFEREE 1: Sara HO (AUS)

ASSISTANT REFEREE 2: Airiie KEEN (AUS)