Football Ferns

england leading japan 1-0 in the other group match/

dam rosie's shot right at the keeper. poo

fruck sakes, now down 2-0. had some good little periods but Mexico look unstoppable

Should we be doing better than this or are we like the men and a long way behind the rest of the world?

we've had more posession 54% v 46% and a few more shots at goal, but Mexico have taken the chances they have had better. I think Herdman should. Is there anyone better to take over? I've got no idea.

just clicked, probably the one where faye white was all over smith at a corner/freekick...letter of law a pen, but no ref is ever going to balls up and point to the spot when it's an easier descision for them to play on.
characteristic of this wc where new zealand are apparently the "worst" offenders ie. most cautions. and god knows how after some of the challenges that have been let go in other games.

our ball retention has been a bit better and we've had better build up play than in the last two games.

england are beating the japs 1-0 atm so mexico might lose their focus, who knows

come on girls, 3 goals please and 2nd half clean sheet.

this is frustrating, I feel like we're pressing but just not quite enough for Mexico to think it was coming.

dammit, we're never going to score

England have scored again, 2-0Oceanic62011-07-06 05:39:58

yays a goal, but tooo little too late.

yes we got our winston reid moment! go wilkinson

waaaay better 2nd half. two well taken goals. terrific.

Haka time! yay

do you think this will be finalist in halberg sporting moment of the year? I hope so! snatching a draw from the jaws of victory

Why was Yallop not playing earlier? By far our best midfield player with the most composure and best quality on the ball!

Good to get a point but this group was one we could/should have got out of! England very one dimensional and predictable, Mexico not very good at all, Japan technically very good but we let them play by giving them too much ball and not pressing them!

We should not be running around celebrating a point against Mexico but I guess that is where the team see themselves, which is probably the biggest hinderance to our success. The Ferns need a coach who will trust them and encourage them to play and a coach who will expect and demand them to win!!

NO NO NO NO!

golden! on the back of the amount of shots and possession i'd have to agree with that call.

almost time to stream the germany france game. ought to be a cracker. anyone know if skysport are showing the quarterfinals etc?

obviously said tongue in cheek

and definitely need a more winning mentality installed

Yes we should have got out of the group, but massive improvement on the last world cup. Mexico were beside themselves at the end, so I'll take the draw over a 2-0 loss.

That point will mean everything to those girls. They never gave up.

Whats with the silly little dance at the end????

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10736618

Both our last minute goals are shown.
Great result, never give up

 Well done, they played their hearts out and ground out that draw.
In review, some talented players in the Ferns line up, maintaining more hard fought possession, accurate passing and elimination of wild long balls are obvious issues needing to be addressed.
The Ferns record has certainly improved from the previous World Cup, first competition point with the draw, 4 goals in three games, all three games relatively close fought affairs.
Onwards and upwards then. Next up, its the London Olympics qualifiers.Good luck with that.

Celebrations remind me of RH getting a point at the confeds

Football Ferns should have done a real haha, ie. naked dance, like the real stuff. Is Football Ferns the emerging Quen of draws, tiptoeing behind All Whites?

Great result but I feel our keeper could / should have done better, or am I being too harsh?  

a bit of hate in this article, too much angst, must be something in the water.

 I think it is more about Fifa rules against "cultural expressions" in internationals that we don't see the All Whites doing a haka, and the current group may not feel comfortable, which is fine.

The Ferns have their own haka, from what I saw before the FIFA telecast cut away to the Mexican Coach for comments. They expressed themselves in a way they felt was appropriate and fitting to the occasion, and good on them.
Women also have haka specifically written for them and can take part in any haka when  the occasion suits.
We are conditioned to seeing well-proportioned, muscular rugby blokes doing a haka but posing,shouting loudly, an all-over tan and looking good anatomically has bugger all to do with a decent haka, in my opinion.
In an appropriate circumstance, any NZ representative group approaching a haka with shared intent, focus and knowledge of what they are doing can be great, whether buffed or beefy, pale, skinny, male or female.

RedGed2011-07-08 00:26:53

Spot on there RedGed.  I think it's sad people have attacked them doing a haka.  Kristy Hill explains the meaning in this video http://footballferns.onsport.co.nz/video/kristy-hill-talks-about-the-football-ferns-haka.php.  I thought it looked good and great seeing Jenny, Rebecca and Ali, who are all american born, doing the haka with pride. 

Skoda Game on had highlights on Sunday, here it is in case you missed it.

And what a final that was! Japan v USA. 1-1 fulltime. 2-2 end of extra time. Penalty shootout drama.Congratulations to the Japanese women for an epic win.

Yeah I really enjoyed watching that, get in Japan. 

I enjoyed watching our women play too.  Caught all the games here in Cardiff at the local Weatherspoons, the Welsh ladies and gents really got behind us!