Football Ferns coach Jitka Klimková confident team is on the right track after improved display against Canada

Football Ferns coach Jitka Klimková. Photo / Photosport

Football Ferns coach Jitka Klimková is adamant her team is on the right track and believes their ability to quickly assimilate new ideas and strategies bodes well for the future, on the path towards the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Her first series with the Ferns ended with target="_blank">a 1-0 loss to Canada on Wednesday in Montreal, after the 5-1 defeat on Sunday in Ottawa.

Though the Olympic champions were again a class above and in control for most of the match, it was a much better contest.

The Ferns were sharper, quicker and more combative, while being more assertive without the ball.

Their defensive structure improved, which meant Canada weren't allowed the time and space they had enjoyed three days earlier.

The Ferns also tried to be more productive and measured in possession, even if passing accuracy let them down.

But the improvement was obvious, which was the most telling factor for Klimková, who was delighted with their ability to implement a new style and gameplan off little preparation.

"How coachable we are and how much we can really change our way," said Klimková, when asked for the main lessons from the series. "I'm so proud of this team, what we have done during such a short period of time, how much we connected with each other, how much we started to believe in each other."

Klimková is trying to change the team's modus operandi, after many years where the Ferns relied on a direct approach.

She wants to try and play out from the back – and keep the ball whenever possible – and there was some encouraging evidence on Wednesday, although ultimately they didn't land many punches.

It's something that will take substantial time to implement properly, but the intent is there.

"It has definitely been a challenge for us but one that we are willing to take on completely, with the World Cup in a few years' time," said defender CJ Bott.

"It's definitely new for us, we have been such a defensive minded team for such a long time and it's really exciting having Jitka really challenging us and encouraging us to play football for the first time in a long time.

"We are really enjoying the way we are expected to play, definitely willing to keep focussing on this and growing as a team."

Bott was tireless on the right flank, with Katie Bowen and Meikayla Moore also strong defensively in front of young goalkeeper Anna Leat, whose distribution was excellent.

Ria Percival was again the overall standout, among an impressive midfield trio.

Adriana Leon's 15th minute goal was the difference, bundling in the rebound after Leat had saved her first attempt.

Canada eschewed a couple of other gilt-edged opportunities, while a long-range effort from Percival was the closest the Ferns came, with a series of other half chances lacking the right final pass or touch.

The most telling difference on Wednesday came without the ball, as the Ferns pushed higher, stayed more compact and even managed an effective press for periods, after Bott admitted they were "too passive" last Sunday.

"It was a different approach," said Klimková. "We defended on the front foot, we put pressure on the ball straight away and we won the ball a little bit closer to the opposition goal.

"That led us to creating more chances and being more dangerous. I am very pleased with the improvement that we have made and I would say the next step would be to start winning these games. Again, it is just the beginning, so very proud of what we have done during this week."

The Ferns should be back together in less than a month, with South Korea tipped as a possible opponent during the November international window.