It has been a cathartic week for the Football Ferns and after some important team bonding and culture work, they are looking to deliver a dominant performance at the OFC Women’s Nations Cup in New Caledonia.

The World No 20, who leave for Noumea today and will take on Tonga in their opening game on Monday, will be strong favourites for the title but are taking nothing for granted as they look to qualify for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The defending champions completed three days of training in Auckland and are looking forward to getting back on the field to represent New Zealand after a challenging period.

New coach Tom Sermanni said despite the short turn around, he feels the team are well prepared for the tournament.

“The players are in a very good space,” said Sermanni. “They had really positive meetings on the team’s culture [on Monday], the apologies from NZF ExCo were genuine and well received on Tuesday and we have had a good week of training. They are ready to play football and move on.”

Football Ferns skipper Ali Riley said it was a great feeling to be back in the national team as they get ready for a new start.

“We are all on the same page and excited to get things going,” said Riley, who this year signed with Chelsea Football Club. “Our focus is on creating history at the World Cup. The energy within our team is so positive and it feels like a weight has been lifted.”

Riley said the team are focused on the OFC Women’s Nations Cup and getting the job done to provide another opportunity on the world stage.

“There is a bit of pressure on us and Tom to get something together [in a short timeframe], it is the most important thing in four years. [The OFC Nations Cup] is the qualifier for the World Cup and also the Olympics so we are a little bit nervous but it is mostly excitement.”

Experienced Football Ferns midfielder / defender Ria Percival returns to the national team after a serious ankle injury and is looking forward to representing New Zealand again.  

“It is a really good atmosphere that we have come back into,” said the 28-year-old, who plays for West Ham United. “I missed the last window, but coming into this tour with a new coach and the team coming back together, it is a fresh start. We want to go to these qualifiers, make a statement and really prepare ourselves for a big year next year.”

Football Ferns forward Rosie White is looking forward to getting into action. The 25-year-old is likely to see plenty of game time in New Caledonia with two frontline strikers Amber Hearn (knee) and Hannah Wilkinson (knee) on the sidelines.

“It has been a crazy year for the Ferns,” said the Chicago Red Stars player. “There have been lots of ups and down, amazing things and challenges. It is time for us to have a clean slate and we are all looking forward now.

“We have two key players injured at the moment so we will need to step up in their absence. I would love to be that goal scorer and that is what I will try to do in every game.”

The Football Ferns will be based in Noumea for the group stages and play all of their games at the Stade Numa-Daly Magenta.

New Zealand are the defending champions of the OFC Women’s Nations Cup and the most successful team in the competition’s history with five titles.

OFC Women’s Nations Cup Fact Box
When: 18 November – 1 December
Where: New Caledonia
Live: Follow the games live on www.oceaniafootball.com

NZ’s Pool games (all times in NZT)

19 November v Tonga 4pm
Stade Numa-Daly Magenta, Nouméa

22 November v Cook Islands 7pm
Stade Numa-Daly Magenta, Nouméa

25 November v Fiji 7pm
Stade Numa-Daly Magenta, Nouméa

28 November
Semi-Finals

1 December
Final

Article added: Friday 16 November 2018