New Zealand’s U-20 women’s team will play Australia in two friendly matches in July as both teams prepare for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.
Both matches will be staged in Wellington, with the first having free entry. It will also be streamed live and free by FIFA+.
The second encounter will be played behind closed doors.
Main photo: New Zealand qualified for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup by winning last year’s OFC U-19 Championship in Fiji. Photo credit: OFC Media / Phototek.
New Zealand U-20 women’s head coach Leon Birnie said: “The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup is just 10 weeks away, so it’s excellent to confirm these matches as part of our ongoing preparations for Colombia.
“Australia should be a good test for us and it will be great for the team to be able to play in front of a home crowd, so we look forward to seeing the people of Wellington at the game.”
New Zealand have been drawn in Group E at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2024 with Austria, Ghana and Japan.
Australia will contest Group A with hosts Colombia, Cameroon and Mexico.
Young Matildas head coach Leah Blayney said securing the two games against New Zealand was an important step for her team in their preparation for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign.
“With Aotearoa New Zealand fellow qualifiers for the tournament, they will present a test for our players as we continue to evolve and cement the playing style we want to employ in Bogotá,” she said.
“Crucially, it is a fantastic opportunity for us to bring the team together after the conclusion of the Liberty A-League season and some important down time.
“With less than 10 weeks until we kick off our tournament, we are carefully constructing a training environment and match schedule that will provide the players with the right lead in for our opening match against Colombia.”
READ MORE: New Zealand learn group opponents at FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup >>>>
Friendly fixtures
Game to be played on Thursday July 11, 2024
New Zealand v Australia
Jerry Collins Stadium, Porirua, 2.30pm
Game to be played on Sunday July 14, 2024
New Zealand v Australia
NZCIS, Upper Hutt, 2.30pm (behind closed doors)
World Cup fixtures
Game to be played on Tuesday September 3, 2024 (NZT)
Japan v New Zealand
El Techo Stadium, Bogotá, 1pm (NZT)
Game to be played on Friday September 6, 2024 (NZT)
Austria v New Zealand
El Techo Stadium, Bogotá, 1pm (NZT)
Game to be played on Monday September 9, 2024 (NZT)
New Zealand v Ghana
Pascual Guerrero Stadium, Cali, 11am (NZT)
Full schedule
The full tournament schedule can be downloaded here >>>>
READ MORE: Mascot unveiled as anticipation builds for FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup >>>>
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