U-20 All Whites welcomed to Auckland for kick off

U-20 All Whites welcomed to Auckland for kick off

Ngati Whatua representatives and Mayor Len Brown have officially welcomed the Under-20 All Whites to Auckland for the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2015 which kicks off this week.

As hosts, New Zealand has the honour of playing in the tournament’s opening match when they take on Ukraine at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday.

Fans braved the wintry conditions in Auckland’s Aotea Square to meet the U-20 squad, secure autographs and wish the team well for the tournament.

Mayor Len Brown says Auckland is right behind the local team and proud to be hosting them for the opening match.

“Aucklanders enjoyed the success of Auckland City FC at the FIFA Club World Cup in December (after finishing the FIFA tournament in Morocco in third place, and netting over NZ $3m for the game in this country and we are eagerly anticipating the future superstars of the game playing in Auckland during this tournament.”

“Auckland has a fantastic reputation of hosting highly successful world sporting events so we know that this great city will turn it on again for FIFA’s second biggest tournament. We love hosting major events – the city welcomes the world’s best young football stars for this iconic event.”

“I encourage Aucklanders to get along to the NZ games at North Harbour Stadium and support our U-20 team as they take on the world one country at a time at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. And make sure you wear all white to show your support for the U-20 All Whites. We want a whiteout at North Harbour Stadium.”

Following Saturday’s tournament opener, the U-20 team run out onto North Harbour Stadium next Tuesday (2 June) to tackle USA before moving to Wellington to play Myanmar, in their quest to make the final 16.

Tickets are still available for all nine tournament matches at North Harbour Stadium which will host four pool matches, a round of 16 knock out match, a quarter final, a semi-final, the third and fourth place play off and the final.

Football fans wanting to get involved in the tournament can also visit Fever Pitch at Queens Wharf and Queen Elizabeth Square free of charge during the tournament from May 30 to June 20.

Fever Pitch is a fan activation zone which will feature the internationally designed and purpose built FIFA cube, which features digital displays, high tech skills stations, an information ‘locker room’ with information on the tournament and its history and football skills demonstrations. Fever Pitch also features an outdoor, small sided football pitch for clubs and schools, as well as impromptu matches.

For more information on the FIFA U-20 World Cup action in Auckland and Fever Pitch please visit http://www.aucklandnz.com/fifau20

ENDS

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