KEY POINTS:
The Ferns came from behind to beat Jamaica by ten goals, storming home to a 59 - 49 win tonight.
They will meet Australia in the final tomorrow night.
Irene van Dyk said the team is proud to have proven that they can come from behind and take
the win.
"We showed that we can fight back and do not give up easily. It was not the good start we would have wanted but I think we battled back strongly," van Dyk said.
They certainly did. Down 26 - 30 at half-time, the Ferns strong midcourt defence, coupled with accurate shooting, brought them through.
Van Dyk said it was the word at halftime from Ruth Aitkin that sparked the fiery come-back.
"She said: do you think you can do better? Is this your best? She is obviously passionate about the game," said van Dyk.
Assistant coach Leigh Gibbs said it was good to have a true test.
"They were awesome. They made us rethink our game and we needed it," Gibbs said.
She said it was a different Jamaica tonight than the one that travelled to New Zealand in July.
"Thankfully we weathered the storm. On attack we had the confidence to let the ball go. In defence we worked as a unit," Gibbs said.
She said the resolve in the team to bounce back and come from behind was heartening.
As for tomorrow night, Gibbs was looking forward to a tough contest.
"There's a lot of work Ruth and I will do tonight. We won't get a lot of sleep," Gibbs said.
Jamaica coach Connie Francis said she was sad and disapointed.
"We weren't able to put them to the task," she said.
Francis said true champions raise their heads even in defeat and her players were true champions.
She paid special tribute to her 18 year-old goal shoot Romelda Aiken.
"Romelda is a young star. She is so nervous. We keep encouraging her, we tell her you can't get worse than you are. Romelda will be a true star in the years to come," Francis said.
Jamaica face England in the play-off for third place tomorrow.
