On Tuesday evening at North Harbour Stadium, New Zealand takes on Canada in the opening match of the inaugural FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Finals. It's the moment when two years' hard work will finally come to fruition for a group of young women who have dedicated their lives to realising their World Cup dreams. Like their Young Ferns team-mates, Western Springs' midfield general Nadia Pearl and Three Kings United goalpoacher Lauren Murray are eagerly awaiting the chance to do what few New Zealand footballers will ever have the opportunity to do - play in a World Cup Finals on home soil. “It's huge!”, exclaims Pearl (left in pic). “Definitely the biggest part of my life, especially my soccer career, and it always will be, I reckon”. Murray concurs. “This is massive! It's definitely the biggest thing I've ever been part of. It's so important to us as a group, and to me personally, because of the dedication and the hard work we've put in. It means a lot”. The prospect of playing in a World Cup Finals at such a tender age never even crossed the Western Springs' starlet's mind when she was starting out in the game. “I always used to think about maybe playing for New Zealand, but I never realistically thought it would happen. “When I got into this squad, I was

like, `This could happen'. It really boosted my confidence, and my game as well”, beams the Auckland native, who turned sixteen just eight days prior to the big kick-off. “This definitely wasn't what I expected when I was younger!”, declares Los Angeles-born Murray in her distinctive accent. “Back then, I had this idea of playing professionally in some men's league in Argentina, my father's homeland. “But as a sixteen-year-old, this is the biggest thing any girl my age in New Zealand could be part of. It really is massive!” The `Waiheke Wonder' - Murray resides on the popular Hauraki Gulf island resort - cites “the experience and the team culture” as her best memories of the journey so far. “It's friendly every day, full of laughs - it's great! Really good!” Pearl's memories, meanwhile, are more match-oriented. “The Australian tour in April was a standout. We had some amazing results (two 4-0 wins against the old enemy) and for me personally, it was quite a good tour. “That and the final game of the Korean series last December, when I had the job of man-marking their

captain. I died, but it was definitely memorable!” laughs the Avondale College student, whose efforts in  covering her opponent every step of the way proved a significant factor in the Young Ferns' 1-1 draw. Both Pearl and Murray are united in their aspirations for their country, heading into NZ08. “With the team we've got, we've the potential to do really well”, says the former Bay Olympic player, “and if we do it's just going to be an amazing experience”. Three Kings' top goalscorer in 2008 agrees. “We're finally seeing the end results after the two years' hard work we've put in. I'm sure that we can get the result we deserve and want, so that's going to be the exciting part of it”. Murray is particularly keen to take to the field in front of as many Auckland football followers as possible at North Harbour Stadium on Tuesday night, and again on Saturday week. “It'll be great just to get out there in front of however many people are going to be there. Hopefully we get in the vicinity of 15,000 fans along, if not more - let's fill the ground up!” Of the 21-strong New Zealand squad, nine play for Central Auckland teams, namely: Briony Fisher (captain), Danielle McFadyen, Nadia Pearl, Jessica Rollings, Hannah Wall, Rosie White (all Western Springs); Annalie Longo, Lauren Murray, Charlotte Wood (all Three Kings United).