Football: Let 'er rip, Tony Readings tells Ferns

Tony Readings has called on his players to hold nothing back. Photo / AP

New Zealand begin their search for a maiden win at the Women's World Cup with a clash against the Netherlands this afternoon (NZT).

The Football Ferns will be playing their third consecutive World Cup when the tournament in Canada kicks off, having picked up their first point during the 2011 edition.

In a bid to go one better this year, coach Tony Readings has called on his players to hold nothing back in what he predicts will be a tight encounter against the Dutch debutantes at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.

The Netherlands clinched their first finals berth in an expanded 24-team tournament after beating Scotland and Italy in a pair of two-legged playoffs. Despite their lack of experience at Fifa events, the Dutch regularly meet high level opposition.

And, having been tested in World Cup qualification and the European Championships, Readings is not expecting the Oranje to be green.

"We know that every single game in our group is going to be tight," he said. "The difference between the top-ranked team, Canada, and every game will be close. This one against the Netherlands will be no different.

"They are ranked 12th in the world for a reason, and that's because they are a very good team. Among all the teams I've seen recently, they embrace the possession-based style the most."

Readings saw similarities between the Netherlands and his side, ranked 17th, expecting the game to be determined by who manages to play to their full potential in the tournament opener.

"On our day, our players can out-perform their opposite number and, when we do that collectively, we can out-perform any opposition. When you're playing the best teams in the world - and we've got three of them in our group - there's just no room to hold anything back."

Despite having yet to taste victory at World Cups, Football Ferns captain Abby Erceg summed up the team's desire to be contenders in simple terms.

"We want to be a team that others are forced to change their game and deal with what we bring and how we can hurt them. We don't fear anyone any more."

Erceg is set to be joined in New Zealand's 100-cap club by talismanic striker Amber Hearn, New Zealand's all-time top scorer with 45 international goals.