Moorwood: It will be tough in PNG

FOOTBALL Ferns 75-cap veteran Hayley Moorwood says her side is aware of the difficulties playing in Papua New Guinea.
They should focus on completing the job of qualifying for the London Olympics in Port Moresby tomorrow.
After a resounding 8-0 win in Saturday’s first leg in Whangarei, the Ferns are firmly in control of the two-legged OFC Women’s Olympic qualifying final.
It may take a massive upset to deny a second team for New Zealand in London – the Oly Whites have already qualified.
On Saturday, Moorwood, 28, became the first New Zealand footballer to play 75 “A” internationals and with three of those coming from games against PNG.
She is well-placed to speak of the challenges.
“Playing PNG in PNG is always one of the toughest games we play,” Moorwood said.
“It’s a country we have been to a few times now and one you need to be used to going into an Olympic qualifier.
“It is an important game, one we need to win, but it will be tough and we need to be switched on.
“It’s completely different to what we are used to in New Zealand.
“It’s a bit rough and tough and the climate has a huge part to play.”
New Zealand’s last visit to Port Moresby ended in a hard-fought 2-0 win to qualify for the Beijing Olympics.
In a 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier against the Solomon Islands in Papua New Guinea’s second city of Lae, the Ferns midfielder Emily McColl collapsed from heat exhaustion.
“In Emily’s situation it was a bit scary for a lot of the players, and it played on some people’s minds for the rest of the tournament.”
PNG coach Steven Mune last night said he was expecting such publicity from their visitors and would be capitalising on that to ensure PNG gave their dosage tomorrow at Lloyd Robson Oval.
Mune is expected to make two changes bringing in Sandra Birum and Georgina Kyakas to add speed in the team using the Port Moresby heat against the Ferns.
New Zealand coach Tom Reading said:  “While we are playing the qualifiers, other teams are playing the top nations week-in week-out. So we are going to keep pushing.”

New Zealand scored four goals in each half and were never threatened by the visitors in front of more than 2,000 spectators.
The Ferns will arrive in Port Moresby today.