The New Zealand side, which qualified for the event after winning the recent OFC U-20 Women’s Championship will need to beat Paraguay, France and Costa Rica to progress out of the group stage at Canada 2014.
In one of the more exciting FIFA tournament draws of recent times, the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup draw at Montreal’s Windsor Hotel had plenty of drama and intrigue.
While the Kiwi’s Group D is relatively standard fare, the group attracting the most attention is Group B, consisting of Germany, USA, China PR and Brazil.
China are former finalists, Brazil are established heavyweights and, more significantly, the Americans and Germans were champions and runners-up in 2012 and between them have won five of the six editions to date.
Back in Group D it certainly won’t be an easy ride for coach Aaron McFarland and his team.
France will be looking to add a world title to the European title they already hold, while Costa Rica and Paraguay remain relative unknowns.
“We don’t know anything about these teams, so we will look to find some video footage to get to know them,” France coach Gilles Eyquem says of his three opponents.
“We have friendly matches coming up against USA and Germany, and we will prepare well for this tournament and the challenges posed by this group.
“I’m sure that this tournament is going to be a really great showcase for women’s football.”
New Zealand will open their U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign against Paraguay on 6 August before taking on France three days later. Both matches will be played at Olympic Stadium in Montreal.
The Junior Football Ferns will then head to Edmonton for their final group match against Costa Rica on 13 August at Commonwealth Stadium.
For more on New Zealand football go to www.nzfootball.co.nz

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