The Football Ferns have only once got out of their group stage at World Cups and Olympic Games and they're determined to do it again Sunday night in front of family and home fans.
Ria Percival has given her life to the Football Ferns, and she feels that qualifying for the Round of 16 would be fitting reward for her and her team-mates for their years of commitment.
The 33-year-old made her debut for New Zealand way back in November 2006 against China as a fresh-faced 16-year-old, and since then has amassed a record 165 A internationals for her country in a remarkable career.
The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder believes it’s time for the Ferns to deliver on their potential.
“For this World Cup, we have got to get out of the group,” says the Ferns co-captain.
“We have to make history. For me personally and us as a national team, we have been doing this for a long time and we want to get that reward for all of the years of commitment to the team.”
It has been a rollercoaster journey at this World Cup for the co-hosts. After the euphoric high of beating Norway at Eden Park on the opening night, they were upset by the Philippines on a frustrating outing in Wellington.
The good news is the Ferns still hold their destiny in their own hands. If they beat Switzerland tomorrow in Dunedin, they will secure their place in the Round of 16 for the first time.
A draw may also be enough, depending on the outcome of the clash between Norway and the Philippines.
For Percival the feeling of leaving a FIFA Women’s World Cup at the group stage is always hard to accept.
The Ferns progressed from their group to make the quarterfinals at the London Olympics in 2012 and it’s a feat that they want to repeat in front of their family and friends.
“Yeah it’s been tough over the years going to World Cups and Olympics and only getting out of the group once – at the London Olympics in 2012,” she says.
“To come home each time not achieving what we set out has been the hardest thing for me.”
Percival, who prides herself on her work ethic and leading from the front, says the team needs to fight for every moment in this tournament.
“Over the years this team has been known for being tough defensively and showing plenty of grit,” she says.
“We want to make a statement. We need to come together and show what we can do.”
It’s remarkable that Percival is even playing at this World Cup. Last year she suffered the worst injury of her career and has overcome adversity to get back in the national team.
MRI scans showed Percival had ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and damaged her meniscus cartilage. It got worse when she heard the prognosis from the surgeon in London.
“He said he’d never seen a meniscus that badly damaged before and he wasn’t sure he could fix it,” she says.
“With mine being such a unique injury and case – I am very grateful for all the people who have supported me. To come out the other side and be playing again is a special feeling.”
(In 2022, ACC accepted nearly 40,000 claims for football-related injuries. A review of ACL reconstructions saw the greatest increase in females aged 15-19 years, with the rate of reconstructions increasing by 120 percent between 2009 – 2019.
To help prevent injuries, ACC partners with New Zealand Football to deliver the NZF Performance and Prevention programme.
“We work with NZ Football to ensure injury prevention is an integral part of the game here. This is critical as it means we can support everyone to keep playing and maximise their enjoyment of the game,” says ACC injury prevention partner Nat Hardaker.)
Percival adds: “It is so important to listen to your body.
“Too often we try to push through things and don’t listen to our bodies. Your body is your temple. You need to look after it so you can perform and play the game for a long time.”
The Ferns veteran says it’s nice to reflect on her career and what she has achieved in the national team.
Her advice to young players is to believe it is possible.
“Make up your mind about what you want to do and then go for it,” she says.
“I left New Zealand when I was 18 to go and chase the dream of being a professional footballer.
“For the younger players, step out of your comfort zone and try new things. I wouldn’t be where I am if I didn’t make those choices, those sacrifices if I didn’t move away from home and chase my dream. I’m proud of what I've achieved.”
And there is more to come. Advancing to the Round of 16 in a FIFA Women’s World Cup would be a fitting chapter to add to Percival’s legacy in the Ferns.
