After an 85th minute equaliser from substitute Rosie White secured a 1-1 draw against the visitors at Mt Smart Stadium, Readings said his group is eager to take their performance a few notches higher from where they set the bar on Monday.
“You could tell by the reaction of the players after the game they didn’t want it to finish because we were just getting stronger and stronger,” Readings said.
“We know Brazil is going to come out and put in an improved performance and find another gear. The challenge for us is to find another gear or two as well and stay one step ahead of them.
“It’s half-time in this series and the players are pumped and ready to get out there to put right some of the wrongs from the last game but they know they are going to have to perform a lot better to get a result.”
Readings said a big key to success in Taupo will be how quickly his side are able to apply what found out about themselves and their opposition in Auckland on Monday.
“We learned in all moments of the game that Brazil caused us problems. Some of them we knew about and some were a little bit different so we’ll be looking to improve those areas.
“The other part of it is there is a certain way we’ll always play and it’s about doing that better, doing it with more intensity, more consistency and more accuracy.”
After the shocking weather conditions in Auckland on Monday, Readings is expecting a better spectacle in game two with the forecast in Taupo far more pleasant.
“The Owen Delany Park pitch is very quick and that suits our style of play as we like to keep the ball and move it quickly.
“It will probably suit Brazil as well and I think it will help the game be a better spectacle for everybody because it is a pitch which will demand high technical levels from players.”
With pinnacle World Cup and Olympic Games events on the horizon, the Football Ferns have been working hard on becoming a team capable of delivering a knockout blow and Readings likes what he saw from the group on Monday in that regard.
“I think in the first game we looked more threatening than we have done all year. We’ve been creating a lot of chances without looking too threatening in terms of the end product.
“But we hit the crossbar a couple of times, scored a goal and we had a couple of good opportunities which were either blocked or the keeper made a save.
“I think that bodes really well for the future because we’ve seen improvements game by game this year and Monday was another step in the right direction.”
Thursday’s game will be refereed by Nick Waldron and kicks off at 6.30pm.
Football Ferns v Brazil
Owen Delany Park, Taupo
Thursday 19 June, 6.30pm
Referee: Nick Waldron
Assistant Referees: Nadia Browning, Jacqueline Stephenson
Fourth Official: Anna-Marie Keighley
Football Ferns (from): 1. Erin Nayler (GK), 2. Ria Percival, 4. Katie Hoyle, 5. Abby Erceg (capt), 6. Rebekah Stott, 7. Ali Riley, 9. Amber Hearn, 10. Sarah Gregorius, 11. Kirsty Yallop, 12. Betsy Hassett, 13. Rosie White, 15. Meikayla Moore, 16. Annalie Longo, 17. Hannah Wilkinson, 18. Katie Bowen, 20. Helen Collins, 21. Rebecca Rolls (GK), 26. Daisy Cleverley
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football
For more on New Zealand football go to www.nzfootball.co.nz

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