Wilkinson follows hectic itinerary on road to World Cup

Football Fern Hannah Wilkinson crossed another country off the growing list of places she has travelled to when she and the New Zealand women's football side contested the Peace Queen Cup in South Korea.
After the Ferns dominated the Auckland-based OFC Women's Nations Cup and secured a spot at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in the process, the Whangarei 18-year-old jetted off to South Korea's Suwon to focus on the Peace Queen Cup.
"The Peace Queen Cup was part of the preparation for the World Cup [in Germany], but it is also an event that we were taking very seriously to win, as it would allow us to gain FIFA points and push us up the world ranking list," the striker said.
New Zealand's Football Ferns, ranked 24th in the world, were ousted from the competition, following their 0-0 draws against South Korea and world No9 team England. Because all three Group A games of the tournament were goal-less, no countback could separate New Zealand, England and South Korea, and it left the hosts celebrating a place in the final against Australia after their name was revealed in a tense post-match draw.
Wilkinson was pleased with her recent form and played in both matches, starting against Korea.
"I was slightly nervous about that [starting] but also very, very excited ... it was really good to get opportunities to play against some of the best teams in the world."
Although disappointed with the manner of the team's exit, New Zealand coach John Herdman took heart from the second half performance against England, who have already qualified for next year's World Cup.
"We've gone out on the international stage against teams ranked higher than us and got results. A couple of clean sheets, and unbeaten in these two games shows we're really starting to cement our place in the top flight.
"We're striving to be more consistent with those periods of attacking play but I'm walking away thinking we were able to sustain that 30 minutes of attack with real intent against the ninth ranked team in the world. Add in the draw last year against France, another top 10 team who have qualified for Germany, and it bodes well for where we are moving into next year's World Cup."
Wilkinson agreed with her coach: "In Germany, I think we will do very well, as our team is looking very strong."
While she was enjoying the travel and luxurious hotels and playing with the Ferns, the AUT physiotherapy student said other parts of her life had been put on hold this year.
"My life has been a little bit on hold, I had two university assignments due while I was away in Korea and now the uni year is pretty much over for me. I think next year is when my life will really be on hold, as we have the 2011 World Cup. We'll be training pretty much all year."
Although heading overseas to play football at some stage is in the back of her mind, Wilkinson said she was keen to stay in NZ for the next two years.
"Those years include the World Cup, the Olympics and the Under-20 World Cup," she said.
"I could possibly go to America in 2013, but that could change. I could end up going earlier. Time will tell I always say."