New Zealand Match Up For Qantas Young Matildas

Australia will face its arch rival New Zealand for the first time in a major competition since our departure from the Oceania Football Confederation, after the draw for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Championship in Russia was made last night.

Australia will face its arch rival New Zealand for the first time in a major competition since our departure from the Oceania Football Confederation, after the draw for the FIFA U-20 Women-s World Championship in Russia was made last night.

Apart from New Zealand, Australia will also play European Champions and hosts Russia, plus South American Champions Brazil, in what shapes as a tough group A.

With the competition expanded to 16 teams, only the top two from each group will advance to the quarter finals, with Russia and Brazil likely to be considered favourites to advance from Group A.

The Qantas Young Matildas will open its tournament with a match against New Zealand on August 17 in St Petersburg, followed three days later by Brazil, also in St Petersburg. They will then move to Moscow for a showdown with Russia on August 23. All matches kick-off at 4.00pm (Russian time).

Groups are:

Group A - Russia, Brazil, New Zealand, Australia Group B - China, Finland, Africa (1), Canada Group C - Switzerland, Mexico, DPR Korea, Germany Group D - Africa (2), USA, France, Argentina

Australia played New Zealand as preparation for the AFC qualifiers in February, winning 4-0 and 3-1 in the two matches at the AIS.