Ferns match a great boost for the sport

For the city, for the fans, for the Football Ferns, tomorrow’s match against Switzerland at Dunedin Stadium is "massive".

Southern Football girls and women development officer Jessica Fuller, whose goal is to get more girls playing and to grow the game of football, said hosting the Fifa Women’s World Cup in the city had been huge.

"The visibility the tournament brings is massive.

"The girls haven’t stopped talking about it — and the boys haven’t stopped talking about it as well."

As New Zealand’s national team played their first World Cup game in Dunedin, it was the city’s turn to step up, she said.

Football fans at the stadium had seen different countries’ fans come together "and be real loud and noisy".

"Now, it’s our turn.

"The Football Ferns have to win the game to get through.

"I mean, they could mathematically get in if they draw, but we don’t want that to happen.

"We just want to get the job done.

"It’s our chance for Dunedin to be the ‘extra man’ on the field and support the Ferns."

Miss Fuller was bringing jandals to clap together as noisemakers, hopeful the capacity crowd would provide the home team an advantage.

"Hopefully we can add a bit of Kiwiana, bring a bit of that Kiwi noise to the stadium — and hopefully be louder than Wellington and Auckland."

Lexi Pratley, 14, of Dunedin, has played football since she was 5 years old and loves it.

Although she played wing, her favourite Football Fern was fullback Ali Riley.

"Hopefully we’ll win.

"I really hope we get through ... it will be such a big moment for New Zealand," Lexi said.

The Ferns’ match tomorrow will be the largest women’s sporting event to grace the city, and the stadium is expected to be around its capacity of 25,947.

The team is expected to arrive in Dunedin at 12.05pm today and Dunedin Airport is putting on free parking for any fans who want to greet the team.

The Ferns beat Norway 1-0 in their opening game, but lost to the Philippines 1-0 on Tuesday.

That has left New Zealand in the do-or-die situation to get out of Group A against the Swiss, who have already qualified for the top 16.

If the Ferns lose, they are out of the World Cup.

In the case of a draw, the Ferns need Norway and the Philippines — who are playing at the same time — to draw, as the Ferns will go through on goal differential.

If Norway wins by one goal, and the Ferns have scored enough goals in their game that Norway does not overtake them on total goals, then the Ferns will qualify.

If the Ferns draw and Norway win by more than one goal, then Norway will qualify.

If the Ferns draw and the Philippines win, the Philippines will advance.