Football: Gregorius enjoying 'home' edge

Sarah Gregorius of New Zealand celebrates a goal with teammate Emma Kete (R) during the international friendly match between New Zealand and China. Photo / Getty Images.

Striker Sarah Gregorius is lapping up the atmosphere in her home away from home as the Football Ferns get set for the pre-FIFA Women's World Cup clash with Japan on Sunday night.

The 27-year-old Gregorius plays her club football in Japan for AS Elfen Saitama and says her New Zealand team mates have received a warm welcome since touching down earlier this week.

"The support here has been huge around that and everyone is looking forward to the game,"Gregorius said.

"There's a huge amount of respect for New Zealand here, particularly the way we play as a team and the way we conduct ourselves. They love hosting us.

"The girls were out and about walking around the hotel and had people coming up and wanting to take photos and say hello.

"People are obviously well aware the game is on in the area and they are really excited. I've seen more of it in the build-up over the last few weeks and definitely since the Japanese have named their World Cup team there has just been so much in the media.

Every time I seem to turn on the TV they've got a documentary up about one of their players or about the World Cup last time or replaying the games."

The 65-cap New Zealand striker believes part of that spotlight relates to a desire to see more overseas-based players follow her lead and take up playing opportunities in Japan.

"There's going to be a lot of attention on individuals in the game as well because I think they want to increase the number of high quality players in the league here and they see New Zealanders as a part of that."

Dealing with that attention is nothing new for the Football Ferns on their overseas travels and Gregorius - who is enjoying a personal home advantage - says the focus remains on tangling with the defending FIFA Women's World Cup champions just a few days before their title goes on the line in Canada.

"What better test than to play the defending world champions in their back yard in terms of a gauge of where you are at right on the eve of the tournament.

"For me individually, it feels like a home game. I'm so pumped. I've got friends who will be watching and one of the Japanese commentators for the game is an old team mate of mine from last year. It's pretty cool to be so far from home but still feel so comfortable."

Having come up against the fourth-ranked Nadeshiko three times in the last four years - games which produced two narrow 2-1 defeats and a 1-1 draw, Gregorius is well aware of the challenge the Football Ferns face on Sunday.

"They are very technical and pride themselves in being very quick in transition so they are a tough team to break down. Playing against Japan you have to concentrate from as soon as the whistle goes at the beginning until when it goes at the end and you can't switch off otherwise they'll punish you.

"They are exactly the type of team we aspire to be and we believe we are. That's why the games are so close, that's why we love playing against them.

"They are perfectionists in all of those areas and we have that same sort of no stone unturned attitude to the way we do things as well."

Watch Sarah Gregorius and the Football Ferns in action against Japan on Sunday 24 May LIVE on SKY Sport 1 from 10pm.