Soccer: Stern early test for Football Ferns

The New Zealand women's soccer team are bracing for a stern test in group B of the women's World Cup when they open their campaign against group seeds and world No 4 number Japan in Germany on Tuesday (NZT).

Japan have reached their highest world ranking on the back of a run to the Asian Cup final and a clean sweep of friendlies wins over Scandinavian powers Sweden, Denmark and Norway in the past 18 months.

"Japan are a really good side," Football Ferns captain Rebecca Smith said today.

"They are probably heading into the tournaments as one of the form teams. They'll be fast, skilled and they will produce some very good football. We'll have to be at our best to counteract that."

With just two teams progressing from each group and with games against England and Mexico to come, a good start is imperative for New Zealand's chances of making the quarterfinals.

New Zealand coach John Herdman has described a technically adept Japanese team as "the Barcelona of women's football" but he also believes have the ability to emulate or better an opening 2-2 draw at the 2008 Olympics against a Japanese side who went on to reach the semifinals.

"It's going to be really difficult, it's arguably our toughest game," Herdman said.

"The players are well aware that they have to bring their A game and if any one player drops below the required standard we could be in trouble.

"But, generally, if people stick to their task for the full 90 minutes we could get a result like we did at the Olympics."

Herdman and his coaching staff are sweating on the fitness of midfielder Betsy Hassett, a matchwinner in a recent victory over fellow finallists Colombia in Switzerland, and striker Sarah Gregorius.

Hassett has not been able to train since injuring her heel in the win over the South Americans last week while Gregorius is more advanced in her recovery from a hamstring strain.

Both players face a fitness test before the final selection decisions are made.

- NZPA