7 Aug 2016

Football Ferns face do-or-die test

6:18 am on 7 August 2016

Rio 2016 Olympics - The Football Ferns face Colombia on Sunday morning and vice-captain Katie Duncan says they must seize the moment or else face an early exit from the Olympic tournament in Rio.

Vivianne Miedema jostles with Katie Duncan, 2015.

Vivianne Miedema jostles with Katie Duncan, 2015. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The 17th ranked New Zealand side lost 2-0 to the reigning champions, the United States in their opener, and will likely need at least a draw against the 24th ranked Colombians to stay alive.

Though disappointed to fall to the tournament favourites, coach Tony Readings said the main positive was the side's stubborn defence.

He emphasised the need to create more going forward.

The vice-captain, Katie Duncan, said the team still had more to give and must seize the moment.

"You can't wait for these occasions to come along, we know this, we've talked about it 100 times before which is the most frustrated thing," she said.

"I think everyone has realised that for us, this is a must-win game."

The team's goalkeeper, Erin Nayler, said the skillful Colombians would prove unpredictable opponents.

"We want to play American again and hopefully that could be in the final," she said.

"We're pretty confident against Colombia and then we go up against France which will be a similar game to the one against the US so we'll need to step it up."

She said the side could not afford another slip-up.

Sunday morning's game kicks off about 11am.