YOUNG FERNS TO MEET WORLD HEAVYWEIGHTS IN WORLD CUP WARM-UP

AUCKLAND – The New Zealand U’17 Women’s soccer team has secured the presence of two of the world’s leading football nations for a series of warm up games prior to the FIFA U-17
Women’s World Cup in late 2008.

Women’s powerhouse nations Germany and USA will join Australia’s Young Matilda’s and the Young Football Ferns in the ‘Future Stars’ tournament from January 29 – February 2.

The fixtures will provide priceless preparation for Paul Temple’s young side on the back of some encouraging performances against fellow qualifiers South Korea earlier this
month.

After losing 2-1 and 6-0 the young ferns bounced back to secure a 1-1 draw in tough conditions and will have learnt a lot about themselves from the trip.

The four nations will compete in a round robin tournament in Auckland which will coincide with FIFA’s second inspection tour of the four world cup stadiums (North Harbour Stadium,
Waikato Stadium, Wellington’s Westpac Stadium and Christchurch’s QEII Park).