There was heartbreak in Auckland on Saturday afternoon as FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup hosts New Zealand were dumped out of the inaugural tournament after being beaten 2-1 by a fierce and formidable Danish side who now sit top of Group A.
The heartbreak of defeat is made all the more painful after a great start gave way to the Ferns getting on the scoreboard early only to have their first possible win of the tournament snatched away after poor defending in the second half allowed the dangerous Danes to grab the victory.
The girls started brightly in front of the 11,170 strong crowd and were fuelled by the electric atmosphere that exceeded all expectations in a supposed Rugby loving nation.
More calm and collected since their opening game defeat to Canada last week the girls were strong from the beginning, pushing forward early in the match, the Ferns had their chances and they took them.
After a confusing goal-mouth scramble the brilliant Annalie Longo got on the end of the ball, only to shoot wide.
However, it was a poised chip from Longo in the 12th minute that saw New Zealand net their first goal of the tournament and put the Kiwis on the score board.
The goal seemed to spark the Danes to life but the Ferns continued to push forward and could have easily made it two before the 20th minute after a powerful shot from Hannah Wall was saved by Denmark's busy goalie.
But instead of the Ferns going 2-0 up it was Denmark who equalised after some poor defending allowed forward Linette Andreasen to hit the back of the net.
And after a fairly equal start to the second half it was more shocking defending that allowed Denmark to go 2-1 up after Britta Olsen expertly slipped passed two defenders to calmly net one past Ferns' goalie Victoria Esson.
But even though tiredness was setting in, the fierce and determind Ferns never gave up, but pushed forward till the dying minutes - a feat that they should be proud of, regardless of the score.
After the game Ferns coach Paul Temple told the media that the loss for the girls was like someone 'taking their candy', but highlighted just how proud he is of his team.
Temple said: "We are shell shocked and very disappointed. We created so many chances and ran right into the ground - but it is our final touch that is lacking.
"We're so disappointed that it is hard to focus, but we are very proud."
And even through the fight to make it through to the second stage of the World Cup may be over, Paul insists that the side will not give up on winning their first World Cup match when they take on Colombia in Wellington next week.
