Football Ferns send warning to Olympic rivals

By: Elliott Smith | Football News | Monday June 18 2012 7:48

The Football Ferns have sent a warning to their Olympic rivals from a football field in Mangere.

They've downed China 3-1 at Centre Park, the first ever win over the team.

Coach Tony Readings says it's the culmination of a lot of homework.

"(We did) a lot of analysis on China, so we knew what to expect. We thought 'we know how to play against this team', and what you know you're going to get is - they're going to be technical, they're going to play lots of short passes, they're going to move it quickly."

Striker Amber Hearn says the team has a new found confidence with the ball.

"We also kept possession. When they lost the ball we were quick to fight back for it. In possession we weren't used to playing the short game. But now we're playing, we're actually playing football, and that's what we all love."

Readings says while they struggled for a 20 minute period in the second half, they bounced back strongly.

"You're not going to have it your own way for 90 minutes. What we've probably typically done in the past in those spells, is capitulated a little bit but what we were able to do is find a gear again, and I think we finished stronger than them."

The second test is on Wednesday at North Harbour.

Photo: Photosport

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