New Zealand's Football Ferns seek breakthrough win at World Cup

New Zealand rolls into the World Cup having gone unbeaten in qualifying and outscoring its opponents 30-0. But don't be fooled. Oceania had the easiest path to Canada by far, with only three other teams in the five-day qualifying tournament, and New Zealand's romp can't be taken as a predictor of its success this summer.

Simply winning a game, something New Zealand has never done at a World Cup, is a more realistic goal.

KEY PLAYERS

Amber Hearn, forward. Goals have been hard to come by at the World Cup – New Zealand has a total of five in their previous three appearances – and Hearn is the Football Ferns' best chance to change that. She's New Zealand's all-time leading scorer with 44 goals, including seven in qualifying.

Rosie White, forward. New Zealand's rising star, she's a two-time winner of that country's Young Female Player of the Year. The UCLA player also won Golden Ball honors, given to the best player, at Oceania's Nations Cup Tournament, where New Zealand earned its trip to Canada.

ABOUT THE TEAM

Coach: Tony Readings

How they qualified: Won Oceania's Nations Cup.

Number of appearances: 4

Best result: Getting there. New Zealand has never advanced out of the group stage at the World Cup.

FIFA World Ranking: No. 17

Fast Fact: Nickname is the Football Ferns

SCHEDULE

June 6: 9 p.m., the Netherlands, Edmonton

June 11: 9 p.m., Canada, Edmonton

June 15: 7:30 p.m., China, Winnipeg