KEY POINTS:
Twenty days after the first ball was kicked, praise continues to be heaped on the inaugural Fifa Under-17 Women's World Cup.
It has been a success on and off the field with a new generation of soccer fans flocking to stadiums around New Zealand.
And the fans were
rewarded: the standard of football from these young players exceeded all expectations.
No diving or other theatricals, just a genuine desire to get out and play what remains a game unencumbered by difficult-to-fathom rules.
In graciously accepting silver medals after his team had been beaten by Korea DPR in yesterday's final, American coach Kazbek Tambi said: "It was a great match. I'm proud of my kids. The North Koreans too played a great match. It was a great story in women's soccer."
He admitted his team was outplayed at times but without ever giving up.
Further, he praised the tournament as being awesome and a great statement for the women's game. "Nothing," he said, "could have been better."
Fifa officials echoed such sentiments, praising local officials for their organisation and efficiency.
Fifa tournaments run like clockwork. A well-oiled machine where nothing is left to chance.
For those who had doubts - both on the country's ability to host and the New Zealand team's right to be on such a stage - the answers were plain to see.
The big challenge now is for New Zealand Football bosses to keep pace. There have already been suggestions of a bigger and better tournament coming this way. That would be welcome but, closer to home, NZF must cash in on the outstanding showing by the Young Ferns.
That the side could attract such enthusiastic support was testament to the work done by coach Paul Temple and his young players.
NZF board members and staff must now quickly address the yawning gap between domestic women's football and the international game.
The raw talent, particularly in the younger age groups, is there. It is now up to that talent to be channelled in the right direction.
The under-20 team who kick-off their World Cup in Chile on Thursday, have high hopes. Provided they get past the difficult first-up heat of the day challenge from Nigeria, John Herdman's team are a realistic chance to create history in becoming the first New Zealand team to progress beyond pool play.
That would only reinforce the need for women's soccer here to be given the funding and personnel boost they surely now deserve.
