KEY POINTS:
Don't write off New Zealand's chances of progressing to the business end of Fifa's Under-17 Women's World Cup.
That was the conclusion many, including national women's coach John Herdman, were drawing after watching their remaining group A opponents Colombia and Denmark play out a 1-1 draw at North Harbour Stadium yesterday.
New Zealand can rekindle their quarter-final dream with a win in Saturday's late game (4pm) against the Danes.
Given the Young Ferns' spirited showing in going down 1-0 to Canada in Tuesday's tournament opener, a win over Denmark, who would have expected better from their game with the South American champions, is not beyond hope.
"I think they can beat both teams," said Herdman. "The way they played against Canada showed on their day they are capable of beating any team. I can't see why they can't collect the maximum six points."
Herdman is well-qualified to give his take. Six of the players who played against Canada were in his national under-20 team who beat Mexico 3-0 and drew 1-1 with Canada in September's tournament in Chile.
"There was a bit of nerves in the first half," said Herdman. "But the second half was very entertaining and I'm sure the key players have 20 per cent more to give."
The Danes will still go into the game as favourites but unless they can take the chances they ruefully missed yesterday, they will struggle against the buoyant New Zealanders who have the advantage of an extra day's rest before what is shaping up as a crucial clash.
Denmark were stunned when they fell a goal behind when Colombia's Tatiana Ariza gave the South Americans their 21st-minute lead.
Ariza ran on to a through ball from captain Yorely Rincon, drew goalkeeper Lene Gissel and watched the ball roll slowly into the goal.
The Danes replied six minutes into the second half when, from the fifthof their 13 corners (Colombia had just three), Amanda Hohol fired the ball high into the goalmouth where Simone Boye got her head to the ball as it flew through Paula Forero'shands.
Surprisingly, the Danes, who had 17 shots (four on goal) to Colombia's 11 (2), had just 46 per cent of the possession.
That 1-1 scoreline was repeated in yesterday's late game in Christchurch where Ghana came from behind to share the points with fancied Korea DPR.
Un Byol Ho gave the North Koreans the lead after 69 minutes but their celebrations were muted four minutes later when Florence Dadson equalised for the Africans.
Earlier at QE II Park, Germany wasted no time in showing why they are regarded as one of the teams to beat.
In a one-sided romp, the Germans thrashed Costa Rica 5-0 when the Concacaf team ended the match a player short after Gabriela Guillen had collected her second yellow card.
Dzenifer Marozsan scored twice for Germany after Lynn Mester had given them the lead after 17 minutes.
Second-half goals to Turid Knaak and Tabea Kemma completed the rout, in which the Germans fired in 29 shots while the Costa Ricans managed just two.
Today Japan play the United States and France meet Paraguay in Hamilton, while at Westpac Stadium in Wellington Brazil play England and South Korea meet Nigeria to complete the first round.
