Living The Dream

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Living The Dream

Living The Dream -

A Personal Perspective

by Jeremy Ruane

This seventh Matchday marked the end of a particularly thrilling twelve days spent living one of my dreams - cheering on New Zealand at a senior World Cup Finals where, despite the scorelines, they have made their presence felt, while at the same time getting to savour the skills of some of the game's greatest female footballers at first hand by seeing as many games as possible, either live or televised.

A group of young women, some of whom rank among my best friends, all of whom I'm proud to know, love and support, wherever they're playing on the planet, have given me one heck of an anniversary present, 2007 marking twenty years since seeing my first women's match, way back on 24 May, 1987.

In the ensuing two decades, and particularly since I was asked, in 1991, to start writing on the side of the game in New Zealand for which my passion is only just exceeded by that for LFC, I've enjoyed any number of memorable moments, matches and meetings with some of the game's great and good.

There have even been a fair few decent men's matches since I started covering those a year after commencing my women's reporting, although the standard and quality of the chaps' displays has deteriorated markedly in recent seasons, it must be said, even though this isn't reflected in the payments afforded those responsible for such performances. But I digress.

There have been a few disappointments along the way, of course, and you don't

want to know what it has cost me financially in that time to ensure the girls' efforts in particular, and the women's game in New Zealand generally, enjoys some degree of publicity - this tournament has seen the six-figure barrier broken.

But where the girls are concerned, it's been money well spent, for mine, especially when compared with the sacrifices the Football Ferns have made to realise their dreams here in China. You can't put a price on those, nor the memories these players and their management team will take home with them from China.

The ups and downs the girls have encountered en route have been far from insignificant, and the video which Vanessa Smith has been compiling throughout their World Cup journey will make compelling viewing once completed, believe me - keep an eye out for it on TV later this year.

In this rugby-free environment - that's one thing I'll definitely miss about China, make no mistake! - the girls' efforts were cheered on by a hardy group of Kiwi fans who really enjoyed themselves in the process. Attending the fifth FIFA Women's World Cup Finals, and seeing the Football Ferns give their all and then some on the world stage, was their dream come true as well.

Here's to next year, when hopefully we'll be able to do it all over again - are you reading this, New Zealand Olympic and Commonwealth Games Committee? - at the Beijing Olympics. That'll be some 21st party, believe me!!

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