31 Mar 2012

Football Ferns all but book their ticket to London

7:05 pm on 31 March 2012

The New Zealand women's footballers have thrashed Papua New Guinea 8-0 in the opening leg of their Olympic qualifying series in Whangarei.

The Football Ferns led 4-0 at half-time with Hannah Wilkinson, Rebecca Smith, Sarah Gregorius and Amber Hearn all scoring.

Hearn's was the most impressive goal, a 25-metre screamer.

Rosie White added a fifth goal and Ria Percival a sixth after the break, while late second scores to White and Hearn completed the scoring.

The huge eight-goal advantage surely ensures they will join their male counterparts in qualifying for the London Games.

The second leg's in Port Moresby on Wednesday.