A day after her first serious knockback and Tauranga's Maggie Lankshear has picked herself up and is looking ahead to the next challenge in her fledgling soccer career.
The former Tauranga Girls' College star midfielder was one of three players axed from the New Zealand squad for next week's Oceania under-20
women's championship in Samoa.
The 10-day tournament is a qualifier for the FIFA under-20 World Cup in Russia from August 17-September 3.
Lankshear's former Tauranga Girls College teammate Anne Ormrod, now based in the United States, also missed the 18-strong squad for Samoa.
Lankshear admitted yesterday being told she wasn't going to Samoa was a big blow.
"It was a disappointment initially but I've tried not to let it become that much of a big deal and I've re-set my sights on helping the girls prepare for Samoa and then, if they qualify, getting selected to go to Russia."
National coach John Herdman expected to take 21 players to Apia but was told two weeks ago he was allowed just 18. For the World Cup in Russia the eventual Oceania champions can take 21.
Herdman hopes the trio rebound from their non-selection.
"If all goes to plan this is simply a detour around Samoa to Russia for them. Their challenge is to turn up to training (today) and help the girls get to Russia so they can be there too."
Lankshear made Herdman's selection difficult by scoring a hat-trick in New Zealand's resounding 13-0 win over North Force at the weekend.
"I had a good talk to John and, although I've been playing really well in the last three or four weeks, I undertsood his reasons for leaving me out.
"If I keep playing the way I am then I think I'll have a good chance of going to Russia."
Lankshear, a former national secondary schools player, based herself in Sydney last year, where she played in the premier women's club league.
She will play this season in for Three Kings United in the Northern league.
