KEY POINTS:
The chance to snap an eight-match losing streak by senior New Zealand teams on the big stage remains the most realistic goal for the national women's side when they meet China at the Tianjin Olympic Stadium tonight.
With only the remotest chance of winning through to the top
eight, the Football Ferns have their sights set on being party poopers.
A win or even a draw against China could end the hosts' hopes of progressing. At the same time it would earn John Herdman's team the best result by a New Zealand team at a World Cup, following losses in all matches by the men at the 1982 cup and the women at the inaugural cup in 1991.
At this tournament they have already lost to Brazil and Denmark.
But in going down 5-0 and 2-0 respectively, the New Zealanders have saved some face, with battling performances against opposition from much higher on the Fifa ranking list.
Those results have been based on a strong defensive effort. Expect more of the same tonight.
"We've shown we can compete with some of the best teams in the world for long periods," said Herdman. "The next step in our development is to get a result."
That will not be easy given how high the stakes are for the Chinese, who will have an eye firmly on tonight's other match in the pool between Brazil and Denmark.
With the maximum six points, Brazil are a shoo-in to progress. If Denmark win the game - which is being played at the same time - China will need to beat New Zealand by at least four goals to have a chance on goal difference.
The home side will not have to look far for support. A full house of 60,000 is expected. It will be the biggest crowd a New Zealand women's soccer team has faced.
Credibility, too, is on the line as Fifa continues its close watch of the Oceania representative.
In those stakes, the team have performed reasonably well and remain on course for the top 13 slot New Zealand Football chief executive Graham Seatter was looking for when the team qualified.
In other pools, Argentina have lost both their games and have a 0-12 goal difference. Ghana, too, have lost two-from-two and have a 1-8 goal count. Nigeria have had a draw and a loss and a 1-3 differential.
At 0-7, New Zealand are not too far out of it.
* Wellington Phoenix officials and the Wellington City Council yesterday confirmed the December 2 visit by MLS club LA Galaxy.
As part of the deal - reportedly worth around $2 million - former England captain David Beckham must play the first half of the match and at least the first 10 minutes of the second.
