The changing room is busy with footballers going through their pre-match routines. "Be strong as always because we are representing Afghan women," says midfielder Fatima Haidari to fellow members of Afghan Women United. Applause erupts in the room where an Afghan flag hangs and a patriotic song is played. The 23-player squad, selected from Afghan players now living abroad, has travelled to New Zealand for a training camp and to play two unofficial friendly games against the Cook Islands. This is the first time they have been together since football governing body Fifa ruled in April that they could represent their country in official matches in the future.