Soccer: Kiwis eager to book Olympic tickets

Katie Hoyle says she's no longer daunted by the prospect of playing at an Olympics. Photo / Getty Images

A place at the London Olympics is there for the taking in New Zealand's two-leg series against Papua New Guinea.

The second leg is played in Port Moresby on Wednesday, with the winner of the Oceania qualifier joining the 12-team London tournament.

For midfielder Katie Hoyle, success would bring a second Olympic campaign.

"I was younger in 2008, and the Olympics were a little bit scary," said the midfielder. "This time I reckon there will be less pressure, and I'll be able to go out there and have some fun.

"It's four years now since the last Olympics. I've played many more games, I've got my 50th cap for New Zealand. I just feel a lot more experienced as a player."

Coach Tony Readings has a full-strength side to work with even if it has been something of a world-wide call-up to assemble his players for the two-leg series. "I think the difference, even from a year ago, is that the players are coming from good environments and it doesn't take long for the players to get back in sync and hitting the gears we need them to ... to be ready for these matches," said Readings. "It's been a nice change.

"We have a group who train in Auckland but predominately the players come in from overseas and when they arrive they are happy to see each other and can't wait to get on the pitch."

New Zealand start as the warmest of favourites after compiling an unbeaten run in the 11 previous encounters but, as the men learned in battling their way to a 1-0 win over Fiji in last week's final, the gap is closing and the island nations are commanding more respect.

- Additional reporting APNZ