The New Zealand women's football team are looking forward to home comforts in tomorrow's Oceania Olympic qualifying playoff second leg.
The Football Ferns effectively sealed their spot in Rio after crushing Papua New Guinea 7-1 in Lae on Saturday.
New Zealand celebrate another goal. Photo: Oceania Football
The hosts led 3-0 at halftime, while second-half substitute Meagan Gunemba managed a consolation strike with 12 minutes remaining.
PNG's Meagan Gunemba celebrates her goal against New Zealand. Photo: Oceania Football
New Zealand coach Tony Readings was pleased with how his players dealt with the challenging conditions.
"Right from the very start PNG dropped everyone behind the ball which made it very hard, the pitch was very bumpy. We checked the temperature at the start of the game and it was 35 degrees but with all the humidity it felt like it was 50, so that was definitely the hottest conditions we've ever played in but we were patient, we kept doing the right things and if we can do that in the next game we're confident we will get a good performance."
PNG coach Rachel Wadunah said that although New Zealand were a better team she was pleased with the way her team approached the game and says they never gave up.
"I was also very impressed with my substitutes, they went in there and made an impact. There are certain good things they did in there but there are also things we need to work on."
The second leg will take place at QBE Stadium in Auckland, with the overall winner to represent Oceania at the Rio Olympics in August.
