New Zealand women's football team head coach John Herdman told Monday's press conference that a much-improved team would try its best to take three points from Japan.
"It is a crucial step for the New Zealand women football team. We see Olympics as a launch pad for New Zealand to get into the international stage," he said, referring to their Olympic debut here.
Contrast to Japan's high tone, Herdman, however, spoke in a modest tone. "Our attendance to the 2007 Women's World Cup was about learning, developing, and get ourselves ready for the Olympic Games," he said.
Yet they are determined to take over Japan. "Both (of New Zealand and Japan) can't afford to drop one point. Both will fight this game out to take three points," Herdman said.
"If Japan are so sure that they will take three points and if they only remember the New Zealand team they beat 6-0 (three years ago), then we will be very happy.
"We have a different team now with different spirit and belief," he said.
New Zealand is going to play against Japan on Wednesday. The other two opponents in the group are the Olympic defending champions United States and the 2007 World Cup fourth finisher Norway.
Both New Zealand and Japan failed to survive the group stage in the 2007 World Cup in China. But Asian powerhouse Japan showed more power than New Zealand.
(Xinhua News Agency August 5, 2008)