OFC News

New Zealand have drawn hosts China, football powerhouse Brazil and European heavyweights Denmark in a dream FIFA Women's World Cup draw.

The Oceania champions will open their group D campaign against world No 8 and reigning Olympic Games silver medalists Brazil on September 12 in Wuhan where the tournament's official draw was conducted before an audience of 800 people late on Sunday night (NZT).

John Herdman's side will remain in Wuhan to face world No 6 Denmark - runners-up to the US at the recent Algarve Cup - on September 15 before relocating to Tianjin for a September 19 fixture against world No 11 China - a match that is sure to draw a big crowd.

"It is a great draw. Out of all the groups it is the most attractive," said Herdman.

"It doesn't matter what group we are in, the World Cup will be a massive test but to get the host nation is fantastic."

"It is our first World Cup for 16 years and it is all about credibility for us. The players will sit down and work out their goals and we will work hard to achieve those goals."

Story courtesy NZS Media...

New Zealand's Dream World Cup Draw

DISCPLINE, dedication and sacrifice is what a player needs to have in mind from the very start of he is to make it to the very top in football or any other sport in his life.

These were the comments made by New Caledonian born France World Cup winner Christian Karembeu is Suva yesterday.

He is in the country together a delegation from Oceania Football Confederation which includes OFC general secretary Tai Nicholas and deputy secretary general Frederic Guillemont who are here to promote football.

Karembeu who won the World Cup winners medal in 1998 with France playing along side the likes of Zinadane Zidane, Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, Marcel Desailly and Lillian Thuram is the only Pacific Islander to have won the World Cup.

Before having retired in 2005 he also played club level football for Bastia in the French Ligue 1 Nantes (1990-95), Sampdoria (1995-97), Real Madrid (1997-2000), Middlesbrough (2000-01), Olympiakos (2001-04), Servette Genève (2004-05), Bastia (2005).

Karembeu who is part of the FIFA ambassador programme said there was a lot of effort needed if a player was to make it to the top.

"Things like drinking and smoking marijuana will not take you anywhere and help you in any way if you want to make it to the top," Karembeu said.

"There are rules which you need to follow.

"You need to respect your body, soul and intellect."

He said the Pacific was full of untapped talent which he compared to being "unpolished diamond".

"There are a lot of players in the islands who are very good and a good example is the Ba team which played in the O League final," he said.

"The players are like diamonds and have raw talent and just need to be polished up for them to improve."