The New Zealand U-20 Women’s team is the first female age-group side from the OFC in the post-2006 era to qualify for the knockout stages of a FIFA tournament.
“New Zealand U-20 have performed with distinction today and can be proud of their achievement in qualifying for the quarter-finals.
“They’ve set a high standard in women’s football for some time and will be pleased to finally put behind them the heartache of 2008 and 2012 when they so nearly qualified for the knock-out stages of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup but fell just short.
“On behalf of everyone at the OFC, the Executive Committee, the Member Associations, I wish to convey our congratulations to coach Aaron McFarland, his backroom staff and players, and everyone at New Zealand Football,” Chung says.
Stephanie Skilton scored the first of three New Zealand goals when she glanced home a free-kick from close range.
Megan Lee added the second with 21 minutes left rounding the goalkeeper before finishing beyond two defenders after a lung bursting run from halfway. Substitute Tayla O’Brien confirmed victory with a third in stoppage time.
The New Zealand Junior Football Ferns join a growing list of OFC sides to advance beyond the opening stages of a major FIFA event.
This includes the New Zealand U-17 men’s teams at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, while Auckland City FC also moved beyond the playoff match at the FIFA Club World Cup in UAE in 2009 to finish fifth.
Last year, Tahiti finished fourth at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, while the Football Ferns also reached the quarter-finals of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament at London 2012.
Australia also advanced to the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup in Germany in 2006 having qualified via the Intercontinental Playoffs as OFC’s top team.
They officially joined the AFC on January 1, 2006.
The New Zealand U-20 Women’s team advance as the second qualifier from Group D behind France and will play Nigeria, winners of Group C, in the quarter-finals in Moncton on Monday 18 August, 8am NZST.
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OFC-based teams to move into the knock-out stages of a FIFA event