A 21st minute goal from Denmark’s Kristine Pedersen stood between the Football Ferns and Matchworld Cup glory in the four-nation tournament in Switzerland on June 20, the Danes prevailing 1-0 in Naters to take out the trophy. In a game of two halves, Denmark’s goal, created by the efforts of Sanne Troelsgaard Nielsen and their most capped player, 176-game veteran Katrine S. Pedersen, was due reward for their impressive first half display, but the Football Ferns threw everything but the kitchen sink at their European rivals in the second spell, and were unlucky not to at least equalise. Danish ‘keeper Tine Cederkvist thwarted Kirsty Yallop in a one-on-one opening, while the midfielder headed narrowly wide from six yards later in the half. Abby Erceg also went close with a header after Cederkvist had misjudged an Anna Green free-kick - the ball was just too high for the central defender to enable her to direct it on target. And late in the match, a goal-bound twenty yarder from Sarah McLaughlin struck one of her team-mates and ricocheted to safety as the New Zealand team piled on the pressure in search of the equaliser they needed to win the tournament.

It wasn’t to be, however, despite the efforts of Katie Hoyle. "She stood out for us in the middle of the park", said Assistant Coach, Tony Readings, afterwards, "regaining possession umpteen times and composed when on the ball. "Katie Bowen had a strong game in what was her first ninety minutes for the team, while the entire defence defended really well, particularly centre backs Rebecca Smith and Abby Erceg in the second half". Betsy Hassett’s ankle injury wasn’t risked - fingers crossed she will be in contention for the China game, while Sarah Gregorius was rested due to a hamstring twinge. The squad now has a two-day break before resuming their preparations in Germany, where they take on Japan in Bochum from 1am on June 28, NZ time. Football Ferns:     Bindon; Bowen, Smith, Erceg, Riley (Longo, 60); Percival (Green, 46), Hoyle, Hearn (McLaughlin, 75), Yallop; Wilkinson (Kete, 75), White (Moorwood, 46)