KEY POINTS:
BEIJING - New Zealand women's soccer coach John Herdman says the 0-1 Olympic Games loss to Norway was a "massive performance" by the Football Ferns, who are capable of beating world No 1 the United States to seal a quarterfinal berth.
The difference between world No 5 Norway and New Zealand was a diving near post header by Melissa Wiik in the eighth minute.
"It was a quality cross, a quality delivery, and a quality header - that's what sunk us," Herdman told reporters.
New Zealand carved out several half chances, with Kirsty Yallop heading over the crossbar in the 14th minute, and Katie Hoyle blasting a volley just wide with 13 minutes left.
They dominated possession for long periods, without being able to carve out a clear chance.
"We genuinely felt three points were there for the taking," Herdman said.
Herdman was delighted with every aspect of their play, after his disappointment with the 2-2 draw with Japan in the tournament opener.
His side had kept a world powerhouse in check, he said. That gave his players confidence with the US match looming on Tuesday night.
New Zealand had come to the Olympics to win at least one game, and that win now had to come against the US, who lost 0-2 to Norway to open the tournament, then last night pipped Japan 1-0.
Norway lead the pool clearly, but any one of second-placed US, New Zealand and Japan can still get through.
The US are without Abby Wambach for the Games, after she broke a leg last month. Her absence up front is being felt as the US battle to stay alive in the tournament.
Herdman said the absence of Wambach was a bonus, but the US were still a "powerful, quality team".
"We're going to hit them with everything. This is about winning," he said.
"We're going all out against the USA, and if we can win that we can win anything."
Herdman said an air of self belief was building among the Football Ferns, so much so that players were disappointed they had failed to topple Norway.
They had stepped up a notch playing Norway, and would have to raise another notch to play the US.
Norway only got two clear chances against New Zealand, and took one of them beautifully. They were otherwise largely contained, apart from the tormenting right hand side forward Leni Kaurin Larsen, whose extreme pace caused trouble.
Two sides from each of the three pools make the quarterfinals, with the two best losers also getting through, so a draw against the US could be enough for New Zealand, provided Japan fail to beat Norway.
Herdman does not want to rely on the "best loser" option, saying they team had not considered that route as a possibility.
"Our goal in this tournament is to win a game, and the USA will give us that opportunity."
- NZPA
