General
Qualified for the right to enter the 2008 Olympic Games after winning a tricky play-off match 2-0 against a plucky Papua New Guinea side in Port Moresby in early March 2008, but had to endure a nervous two-week wait for official nomination to compete by the New Zealand Olympic Committee [NZOC] as they hadn't met the committee's own selection standards. A green light from the NZOC, on the grounds it would be excellent experience in preparation for a further medal challenge at the 2012 Games in London, means the Ferns will take part in their first Olympic football tournament four years after not even entering the qualifying tournament for the 2004 Games in Athens. New Zealand's results at the 2007 World Cup in China didn't provide much optimism in the lead-up to Beijing as they were eliminated at the end of the group stage without a point or goal from three matches. Coach John Herdman admits the task facing his players is a tough one, but will look to the talents of 2007 FIFA world player of the year nominee Rebecca Smith to inspire her teammates during their historic Olympic debut.

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The following results are included in the Competition Highlights field. There can be small discrepancies due to the lack of sources for certain results. Note that the results are sorted on rank within a competition.

Results in Last Olympic Cycle:
- All Placings at 2004 Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup 2006 and FIFA Women's World Cup 2007
- All Placings at FIFA U-20 World Cup and FIFA U-17 World Cup
- All Placings at Continental Championships

Historical Results (before OG 2004):
- All Placings at Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup and FIFA Women's World Cup
- All Placings at FIFA U-20 World Cup and FIFA U-17 World Cup