In-form Ferns delight crowd
The Football Ferns will be looking to build on their good form when they take on the Australian Matildas tomorrow night in their final match of the International Tri-Series.
The Ferns haven’t beaten the Australian national side since October 1994.
But two of the last four meetings have ended in 1-1 draws, giving rise to the prospect of a win on home turf against the old enemy.
After their 1-1 draw against 2014 Asian Games winners DPR Korea at Bill McKinlay Park on Sunday evening, Ferns coach Tony Readings says the intent is there to get better.
‘‘We’ve got a quite a few good games coming up and if our intent is right then we’ve got the ability and potential in the team to keep getting better.’’
The International TriSeries between the Ferns, DPR Korea and Australia continues as preparation for the World Cup in Canada.
Hannah Wilkinson opened the scoring against DPR Korea just 11 minutes into the opening half after volleying home from just inside the area much to the delight of the vocal home crowd.
It didn’t take long for the visitors, who are ranked seventh in the world, to strike back as Jong Sim Wi levelled the scores with a header at the near post.
The rest of the match was a compelling duel which saw both teams have chances to clinch victory.
‘‘There was a real intent for the whole match to play to win, to take on their pressure – which we know is one of the best in the world, that’s why they are the seventh-ranked team,’’ Readings says.
The Football Ferns will be back in action tomorrow night. at Bill McKinlay Park against Australia.