From Sepp Blatter, President of FIFA, and The Right Honourable John Key, Prime Minister of New Zealand.
6 HISTORY OF THE FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP
We look back at the history of the FIFA U-20 World Cup since the first tournament took place in 1977, including the Roll of Honour.
7 THE LEGACY OF NEW ZEALAND 2015
What New Zealand Football will gain from hosting the tournament.
8 TOURNAMENT IDENTITY
The background to how the official emblem for the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 was chosen.
9 FUTURE SUPERSTARS
Photo montage of six players playing in this year’s tournament who could be future football stars.
1 1 - 14 GROUP A PREVIEW and TEAM LISTS
New Zealand, Ukraine, USA and Myanmar.
1 6 - 19 GROUP B PREVIEW and TEAM LISTS
Argentina, Panama, Ghana and Austria.
2 1 - 24 GROUP C PREVIEW and TEAM LISTS
Qatar, Colombia, Portugal and Senegal.
26 - 29 GROUP D PREVIEW and TEAM LISTS
Mexico, Mali, Uruguay and Serbia.
30 - 31 FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP 2015 DRAW
All the match details including dates, venues and kick-off times.
32 - 35 GROUP E PREVIEW and TEAM LISTS
Nigeria, Brazil, Korea DPR and Hungary.
37 - 40 GROUP F PREVIEW and TEAM LISTS
Germany, Fiji, Uzbekistan and Honduras.
42 - 4 3 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Take our football test.
44 IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BALL
FIFA goes to great lengths to ensure the balls at their tournament are top quality.
46 FIFA 11+ TO PREVENT INJURIES
The importance of warming up before a match to prevent injury.
47 SPOTLIGHT ON REFEREES
What FIFA is doing to ensure the highest refereeing standards at their tournaments.
49 - 5 1 FOOTBALL SUPERSTARS
We profile six of the biggest names in football who’ve made their mark at previous tournaments: Michael Owen, Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi, Sergio Agüero, James Rodríguez and Paul Pogba.
52 MAP OF NEW ZEALAND
Including all the venue information.
55 - 58 HOST CITIES
Featuring information about the seven host cities around New Zealand.
MARC STENDERA, GERMANY PHOTO: Getty Images.
ÁNGEL CORREA, ARGENTINA. PHOTO: Getty Images.
BILL TUILOMA (C),NEW ZEALAND. PHOTO: www.photosport.nz
Dear friends of football,
Welcome to the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 — the world’s top youth football tournament. The stage is set for New Zealand’s seven host cities to showcase everything that this culturally diverse nation has to offer.
The FIFA U-20 World Cup is a crucial platform for football development, offering the stars of tomorrow a unique platform to display their ability and passion for the game. We have a truly international event here in New Zealand, bringing together 24 national youth teams from all continents for a veritable festival of footballing talent.
At FIFA, it is our duty to develop the game of football in the four corners of the world. We hope that this event, which is the third FIFA tournament hosted by New Zealand, will help to propel football forward in the country and the wider region, inspiring even more young people, girls and boys alike, to play football.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, the fans, for your attendance and excitement for this wonderful tournament. I hope you enjoy this year’s tournament, which is a great opportunity to watch the stars of tomorrow display their footballing skills to the world.
For the Game. For the World.
JOSEPH S. BLATTER President Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)
On behalf of the New Zealand Government, I am delighted to welcome the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2015 to New Zealand.
Over the next 22 days, 24 teams will compete in 52 matches in seven regions across New Zealand.
Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Michael Owen and Adriano have all played in this tournament previously, so it’s a great chance for Kiwis to see the next generation of superstars in action.
The New Zealand Government is committed to growing New Zealand’s reputation as an attractive destination for events of international significance. These events help promote New Zealand as a tourist destination and generate economic benefits for our country.
The New Zealand Government has contributed $5.5 million to this tournament; it will be broadcast to over 100 countries, with a global TV audience of 170 million.
We are expecting over 7,000 international visitors, including 800 players and support staff, and 100 international media.
To those visitors, I hope you enjoy your stay in our wonderful country. I encourage you to take the time to experience our stunning scenery, unique culture and award-winning food and wine.
For those football-mad Kiwi supporters, thank you for supporting the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2015, I am sure you will get to see some spectacular matches. I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of the event organisers and all the volunteers. I am sure the tournament will be a great success and enjoyed by participants and spectators alike.
I wish all the teams the very best of luck.
WORLD CUP HISTORY STARTS HERE
The FIFA U-20 World Cup has become one of the most exciting tournaments in world football and has also introduced us to some of the game’s greatest players for the first time.
Tunisia was the unlikely host country for the first FIFA U-20 World Cup held in 1977. Known until 2005 as the FIFA World Youth Championship, the tournament was the brainchild of former FIFA President, João Havelange.
The first Final between Mexico and the Soviet Union ended in a marathon penalty shootout with the Soviet Union emerging the winners 9–8. Since then the tournament has been held every two years. New Zealand 2015 will be the 20th tournament and nine different countries have won
ROLL OF HONOUR
the 19 tournaments played to date. Argentina is the most successful nation with six titles, followed by Brazil (five) and Portugal (two) with Ghana, Germany, Spain, France the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia winning the title once each.
The tournament has become a stage for up-and-coming players to show off their talents and a testing ground for coaches to try out innovative tactics and team formations often resulting in high scoring, attacking football.
FIFA has also used the tournament to try out new rules and regulations. In Turkey 2013, the vanishing spray used by referees to mark the minimum distance that opposing players must remain from the ball before a free kick is taken was used for the first time.
One of the most important tournaments was Japan 1979 where the incredible performances of Diego Maradona changed the perception of the tournament.
Before Japan it was still unknown if the tournament would capture the world’s imagination. Maradona changed all that and the competition rose in stature.
LEAVING A L EGACY BEHIN D
The FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 is not only about what happens on the field over the next three weeks.
From 30 May to 20 June the future stars of world football will entertain supporters across New Zealand with their skill and talent on the field. Off the field, there is a tremendous amount of work being done to ensure that FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 creates a lasting legacy for the game in this part of the world.
“The overall goal is to assist the elevation of the reputation of football,” says Peter O’Hara, Local Organising Committee Leverage and Legacy Director. “It’s about the relationship we have with our stakeholders and supporters.
We want them to look at football as a progressive sport by running a highly professional event and delivering outstanding outcomes for stakeholders.”
After New Zealand won the hosting rights to the tournament an extensive Leverage and Legacy Plan was prepared following consultation with regional and national stakeholders, including Central Government, host cities, New Zealand Football, Oceania Football Confederation, regional football federations and local interests such as tourism agencies.
“We identified a great opportunity to grow the game in this country and region, to celebrate multiculturalism and diversity, grow football capability through improved facilities, more players, coaches, referees and administrators, and build tourism and trade,” he says.
Highlights include:
Official Draw televised to more than 50 countries. Nine new or significantly improved (sand-based) playing fields.
6000 seats added to North Harbour Stadium.
Portable Futsal Court imported and College Futsal grew from 11,218 participants in 2013 to 18,553 in 2014.
NZ Football putting diversity strategy in place including ethnic guidelines for clubs.
Funding from Sport NZ and NZ Football Foundation for initiatives.
“The bottom line is we know the profile of the tournament will help growth and we are leveraging that. We’ve already made significant gains and there are more to come.”
THE GLOBAL GAME
HOME
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TOURNAMENT IDENTITY
CLEAR BLUE RIVERS AND OCEANS
Movement reflects the fluidity of the game.
THE KORU
The shape of the young fern reflecting future potential of the U-20 competitors.
THE SILVER FERN
New Zealand’s national symbol.
PLAYER IN MOTION
Reflecting the uninhibited style of play.
A NEW DAWN
The first country to see the light of each day and dawn of the next football legends.
FOOTBALL IN MOTION
GREEN LANDSCAPES
FUTURE STARS
Since 1977, the FIFA U-20 World Cup has introduced us to some of the most exciting talent in world football. Here are some stars of the game who could make a name for themselves at this tournament.
MARTIN RASNER
Austria
Made his starting debut for Liefering in their 5–1 win over SC Reindorf Altach on 6 August 2013. PHOTO: GEPA-pictures.com
JEISON LUCUM Í
Colombia
An attacking midfielder currently playing for America de Cali in the Colombian second division. PHOTO: Getty Images.
HIRVING LOZANO
Mexico
With five goals he was the joint top scorer at the CONCACAF qualifying tournament. PHOTO: Getty Images.
YAW YEBOAH
Ghana
Currently contracted with Manchester City Yaw is known for his dribbling skills. Voted the Most Valuable Player in the African U-20 championships. PHOTO: Getty Images.
ALEX RUFER New Zealand
Played seven games for NZ U-17 scoring three goals and played in all three games at the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2013 in the United Arab Emirates. PHOTO: www.photosport.nz
Contracted to Argentinian giants River Plate and was top scorer in the 2015 South American Youth Championships with nine goals.
GIOVANNI SIMEONE Argentina
PHOTO: Getty Images.
Official SUV of the FIFA U-20 World Cup
GROUP A
NEW ZEALAND
NEED TO KNOW: The host nation has appeared in three previous FIFA U-20 World Cups, losing seven and drawing two of their nine games. Playing in front of a passionate home crowd, the Junior All Whites will be confident of making history by recording New Zealand’s first win at this level.
POPULATION: 4.5 million
COACH: Darren Bazeley
UKRAINE
NEED TO KNOW: It’s 10 years since a Ukrainian team competed at a FIFA U-20 World Cup but Oleksandr Petrakov’s side showed great team spirit to beat some of the more fancied European sides and book their place in New Zealand. More of the same could see them qualify for the knockout stages.
POPULATION: 44 million
COACH: Oleksandr Petrakov
USA
NEED TO KNOW: This will be the USA’s 14th appearance at the FIFA U-20 World Cup and they’ve qualified from the Group Stage eight times. Their best finish was fourth in Saudi Arabia in 1989. With a highly regarded coach in Tab Ramos and players with experience at the top level in Europe and the USA, they’ll fancy their chances of progressing to the Round of 16.
POPULATION: 320 million
COACH: Tab Ramos
MYANMAR
NEED TO KNOW: Myanmar hosted the Asia qualifying tournament last year but few expected them to secure one of the four qualifying spots up for grabs. However a 1– 0 win over United Arab Emirates sealed their place in the finals for the first time and prompted joyous celebrations amongst their supporters.
POPULATION: 53 million
COACH: Gerd Zeise
GROUP A
features the opening game of the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 between New Zealand and Ukraine at North Harbour Stadium, Auckland. This group would appear to be wide open but New Zealand will hope that playing at home will give them the edge.
MAY 30 NEW ZEALAND v. UKRAINE 1:00pm North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
MAY 30 USA v. MYANMAR 4:00pm Northland Events Centre, Whangarei
JUNE 2 MYANMAR v. UKRAINE 1:00pm Northland Events Centre, Whangarei
JUNE 2 NEW ZEALAND v. USA
7:00pm North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
JUNE 5 MYANMAR v. NEW ZEALAND
7:00pm Wellington Regional Stadium
JUNE 5 UKRAINE v. USA 7:00pm North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
ROUND OF 16
The winner of Group A will play the third-placed team in Group C, D or E.
The runners-up will play the runners-up in Group C. Four third-placed teams will progress to the Round of 16 determined by points, goal difference and goals scored.
ADAM MITCHELL (L) IN ACTION FOR NEW ZEALAND U-20 TEAM.
PHOTO: Getty Images.
for themselves, and for the country. It is a great opportunity for all of us.”
DARREN BAZELEY, NEW ZEALAND COACH
NEW ZEALAND
HOW THEY GOT HERE
As hosts New Zealand did not have the benefit of a qualifying campaign which, at this level, is normally a valuable source of international experience. However, coach Darren Bazeley has put together a thorough schedule in preparation with the team’s international outings commencing in earnest in May 2014. The Junior All Whites began accruing impressive results from the outset including a draw against Brazil; a first for any New Zealand side in men’s football.
STRENGTHS AND STYLE
The defence will be led by Bill Tuiloma (captain), one of several players with experience of playing for the All Whites at senior international level. Tuiloma plays for Olympique Marseille in France and has earned a reputation as a no-nonsense defender. Other players to look out for include Wellington Phoenix midfielders Matt Ridenton and Alex Rufer, a nephew of Wynton Rufer, Oceania’s Player of the Century. The team is coached by Darren Bazeley, a highly regarded English defender who represented his country at U-21 level and played fullback for Watford, Wolverhampton and Walsall before moving to New Zealand.
USA
“What I really like about this team is the fact that it’s one of those teams that is really able to work together and to focus on goals. At no time [during qualifying] did we have players pulling in different directions. We were a united group from the beginning.” TAB RAMOS, USA COACH
HOW THEY GOT HERE
The Stars and Stripes began their CONCACAF U-20 Championship campaign poorly with a 1–1 draw against Guatemala, followed by a 1– 0 loss to eventual group winners and tournament runners-up Panama. However, an 8–0 thrashing of Aruba in the next game was the boost that the team needed, and wins against Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago secured the team a crucial play-off against El Salvador. Ben Spencer and Paul Arriola scored either side of half-time to give the Americans a 2– 0 win and book their ticket to New Zealand.
STRENGTHS AND STYLE
Strength in depth is one of the USA squad’s key attributes and that strength starts at the back with goalkeeper Zack Steffen. The Americans might not even be headed to New Zealand had Steffen not saved a penalty in the play-off against El Salvador. Ahead of Steffen, New York Red Bulls centre-back Matt Miazga’s dominance in the air and build-up play helps the team initiate attacks. The Americans boast a strong midfield, where Fulham’s Emerson Hyndman, Hoffenheim’s Russell Canouse and San Jose Earthquakes’ Tommy Thompson are all key influences.
L-R TYLER BOYD, CHRIS WOOD AND BILL TUILOMA IN ACTION FOR ALL
PHOTO: NZ FOOTBALL
“To qualify for the World Cup was, in truth, a great achievement. I’ve never had a swim in the ocean, so I am happy I will do it now — in New Zealand.”
THE UEFA U19 EUROPEAN
OLEKSANDR PETRAKOV, UKRAINE COACH
UKRAINE
HOW THEY GOT HERE
It was against a backdrop of conflict and massive internal upheaval in their home country that Ukraine booked their place at New Zealand 2015. Qualifying for the UEFA U19 Championship had been a success in itself, with Oleksandr Petrakov’s side topping a preliminary section that included, among others, England without conceding a goal. The continental finals proved more challenging but Ukraine just missed out on a place in the Semi-Finals, after competing well in a group that featured the eventual winners, Germany. Ukraine
defeated Bulgaria, drew with Serbia and lost narrowly to the Germans to secure a top-six finish and, with it, a FIFA U-20 World Cup berth.
STRENGTHS AND STYLE
Ukraine is a side that plays very much to its strengths and throughout qualifying those were a tight and well-organised defence, aerial strength at set pieces and an outstanding goalkeeper in Bohdan Sarnavskyi. Sarnavskyi undoubtedly emerged as the star of a team that, throughout, played a 4 –2– 3 –1 formation and adopted a largely counter-attacking style. A strong team spirit and impressive work ethic also underpinned their success, evidence of which was seen in two crucial late goals to secure wins over England and Bulgaria.
AFTER MYANMAR
“The victory [against United Arab Emirates in the Quarter-Finals] will perhaps be Myanmar’s biggest for the next 20 years, or maybe for a century. We are now in the World Cup and I am proud of my players.”
GERD ZEISE, MYANMAR COACH
MYANMAR
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Myanmar emerged as the surprise package of the Asian qualifiers, coming from nowhere to claim one of the continent’s four berths at New Zealand 2015. Despite playing the qualifying competition on home soil, Gerd Zeise’s side endured a lacklustre start, held to a goalless draw by Yemen. However, they bounced back with an emphatic 3–0 victory over Thailand. Despite losing to Iran, they had done enough to finish section runners-up and progressed to the knockout phase, where a 1–0 defeat of United Arab Emirates sealed their place at the world finals.
STRENGTHS AND STYLE
Myanmar are a well-organised unit, with defence their major strength. Goalkeeper Myo Min Latt conceded just five goals across five matches in the Asian qualifiers, while Nan Wai Min was a rock at the heart of the defence. Yan Naing Oo is capable of providing the drive from the midfield, while Aung Thu and Than Paing are likely to shoulder much of the goalscoring burden. Myanmar scored just four times en route to the semi-finals in Asia, so one of the key challenges for them at New Zealand 2015 will be to improve upon their attacking potency.
THAN PAING (C) IS LIFTED UP BY FANS AS THEY CELEBRATE
QUALIFIED FOR FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP 2015. PHOTO: Getty Images.
ARTEM BIESIEDIN (C) IN ACTION AGAINST GERMANY DURING
CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH PLAYED ON 25 JULY 2014 IN GYOR, HUNGARY. PHOTO: Getty Images.
GROUP A TEAMS
1 GK SAIL, Oliver 19 Wellington Phoenix FC, NZL
2 DF EDGE, Jesse 20 Vicenza 1902, ITA
3 DF WYNNE, Deklan 20 Wanderers SC, NZL
4 DF BROTHERTON, Sam 18 Wanderers SC, NZL
5 DF MITCHELL, Adam 18 Wanderers SC, NZL
6 DF TUILOMA, Bill 20 Olympique Marseille, FRA
7 MF STEVENS, Joel 20 Wellington Phoenix FC, NZL
8 MF DYER, Moses 18 Wanderers SC, NZL
9 MF RUFER, Alex 18 Wellington Phoenix FC, NZL
10 MF LEWIS, Clayton 18 Wanderers SC, NZL
11 MF RIDENTON, Matthew 19 Wellington Phoenix FC, NZL
12 GK TZANEV, Nikola 18 Brentford FC, ENG
13 DF MESSENGER, Brock 19 Wanderers SC, NZL
14 DF BROWN, Cory 19 Xavier University, USA
15 MF PATTERSON, Monty 18 Ipswich Town FC, ENG
16 MF HUDSON-WIHONGI, Te Atawhai 20 Wanderers SC, NZL
17 MF BLAKE, Andrew 19 Wellington Phoenix FC, NZL
18 MF DE JONG, Andre 18 East Coast Bays AFC, NZL
19 FW HOLTHUSEN, Stuart 19 University of Akron, USA
20 FW BILLINGSLEY, Noah 17 Wanderers SC, NZL
21 GK HIRST, Damian 19 Wanderers SC, NZL
COACH TAB RAMOS
USA
1 GK STEFFEN, Zackary 20 SC Freiburg, GER
2 DF MOORE, Shaquell 18 Huracán CF, ESP
3 DF REQUEJO JR, John 19 Club Tijuana, MEX
4 DF CARTER-VICKERS, Cameron 17 Tottenham Hotspur FC, ENG
5 DF MIAZGA, Matthew 19 New York Red Bulls, USA
6 MF PERRY-ACOSTA, Kellyn 19 FC Dallas, USA
7 FW ARRIOLA, Paul 20 Club Tijuana, MEX
8 MF HYNDMAN, Emerson 19 Fulham FC, ENG
9 FW MENDEZ RUBIN, Rubio 19 FC Utrecht, NED
10 MF SONORA, Joel 18 CA Boca Juniors, ARG
11 FW JAMIESON IV, Bradford 18 Los Angeles Galaxy, USA
12 GK OLSEN, Thomas 20 University of San Diego, USA
13 FW THOMPSON, Thomas 19 San Jose Earthquakes, USA
14 FW TALL, Maki 19 Red Star FC, FRA
15 MF DELGADO, Marco 20 Toronto FC, CAN
16 MF CANOUSE, Russell 19 TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, GER
17 DF PAYNE, Desevio 19 FC Groningen, NED
18 DF PALMER-BROWN, Erik 18 Sporting Kansas City, USA
19 MF ZELALEM, Gedion 18 Arsenal FC, ENG
20 MF ALLEN, Jordan 20 Real Salt Lake, USA
21 GK CALDWELL, Jefferson 19 University of Virginia, USA
3 DF KUZNETSOV, Artur 20 FC Metalurg Zaporizhya, UKR
4 DF BURDA, Mykyta 20 FC Dynamo Kyiv, UKR
5 DF TKACHUK, Yurii 20 FC Metalist Kharkiv, UKR
6 MF TANKOVSKYI, Viacheslav 19 FC Shakhtar Donetsk, UKR
7 MF CHUMAK, Yevhen 19 FC Dynamo Kyiv, UKR
8 DF POLEHENKO, Pavlo 20 FC Dynamo Kyiv, UKR
9 MF KABAIEV, Vladyslav 19 FC Chernomorets Odessa, UKR
10 FW BIESIEDIN, Artem 19 FC Metalist Kharkiv, UKR
11 FW YAREMCHUK, Roman 19 FC Dynamo Kyiv, UKR
12 GK SARNAVSKYI, Bohdan 20 FC Shakhtar Donetsk, UKR
13 MF HABELOK, Artem 20 FC Shakhtar Donetsk, UKR 14 MF LUCHKEVYCH, Valerii 19 FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, UKR
15 FW TATARKOV, Mykyta 20 FC Metalurg Zaporizhya, UKR
16 GK GRYTSENKO, Yevgen 20 FC Shakhtar Donetsk, UKR 17 MF KOVALENKO, Viktor 19 FC Shakhtar Donetsk, UKR
18 DF SOBOL, Eduard 20 FC Metalurg Donetsk, UKR
19 DF KOVTUN, Oleksii 20 FC Metalist Kharkiv, UKR
20 MF NEMTINOV, Yevhenii 19 FC Illichivets Mariupol, UKR
21 MF KHARATIN, Ihor 20 FC Dynamo Kyiv, UKR
COACH GERD ZEISE
MYANMAR
GK LATT, Myo Min 20 Kanbawza FC, MYA 2 DF HTWE, Aung Moe 20 Hanthawaddy United FC, MYA 3 DF AUNG, Htike Htike 20 Ayeyawady United FC, MYA 4 DF TUN, Naing Lin 19 Magwe FC, MYA 5 DF KYAW, Nanda 18 Magwe FC, MYA 6 MF OO, Kyaw Min 18 Ayeyawady United FC, MYA
WELLINGTON hosts all but one of the games in Group B and football fans in the capital are in for a treat as they get the opportunity to see one of the tournament favourites, Argentina, in action. Ghana are another team to look out for in Group B.
ARGENTINA
NEED TO KNOW: Argentina failed to qualify for the last FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2013 but they have won the title six times, more than any other nation. They won their first title in Japan in 1979, a team inspired by the great Diego Maradona. That win was followed by victories in 1995, 1997, 2001, 2005 and 2007.
POPULATION: 43 million
COACH: Humberto Grondona
PANAMA
NEED TO KNOW: This year’s tournament will mark Panama’s fifth FIFA U-20 World Cup appearance, since first taking part in 2003. Los Canaleros have only failed to appear at the 2009 and 2013 editions. Even so, they have yet to make a major splash at the competition, having never gone beyond the Group Stages.
POPULATION: 3.8 million
COACH: Leonardo Pipino
GROUP B
GROUP FIXTURES
MAY 30 ARGENTINA v. PANAMA
4:00pm Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
MAY 30 GHANA v. AUSTRIA 7:00pm Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
JUNE 2 AUSTRIA v. PANAMA
4:00pm Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
JUNE 2 ARGENTINA v. GHANA
7:00pm Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
JUNE 5 AUSTRIA v. ARGENTINA
4:00pm Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
JUNE 5 PANAMA v. GHANA 4:00pm North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
ROUND OF 16
The winner of Group B will play the third-placed team in Group A, C or D. The runners-up will play the runners-up in Group F. Four third-placed teams will progress to the Round of 16 determined by points, goal difference and goals scored.
GHANA
NEED TO KNOW: This is Ghana’s seventh appearance at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. They’ve made the knockout stages in their six previous appearances and have made the Semi-Finals five times. They finished runners-up in 1993 and 2001 and in 2009 the Black Satellites became the first African country to win the competition.
POPULATION: 27 million
COACH: Sellas Tetteh
AUSTRIA
NEED TO KNOW: Austria’s biggest success in the FIFA U-20 World Cup came in 2007 in Canada when they lost in the Semi-Finals to the Czech Republic. They finished fourth after a 1– 0 defeat to Chile in the play-off. This is Austria’s fifth appearance and they’ve failed to reach the knockout rounds in three of their four previous campaigns.
GIOVANNI SIMEONE (2ND-R) CELEBRATES HIS GOAL AGAINST PARAGUAY ON 4 FEBRUARY 2015 AT CENTENARIO STADIUM IN
“There’s no better defence than a good attack, and this is a team that scores goals, goals, goals. I’m proud of what they’ve achieved.”
HUMBERTO GRONDONA, ARGENTINA COACH
ARGENTINA
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Argentina turned in an impressive tournament performance to win the South American U-20 title for the first time since 2003. La Albiceleste lost just one match in the process, going down to Paraguay in Group A, which they topped thanks to emphatic victories over Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru. They maintained their momentum in the final six-team round, beating Peru, drawing with Colombia, getting the better of Brazil and then exacting revenge on Paraguay to make sure of their place at New Zealand 2015. Better was to come in their final
match, as the Argentinians came from behind to defeat Uruguay 2–1 and clinch the continental crown.
STRENGTHS AND STYLE
Character, organisation at the back and lethal finishing were the hallmarks of Argentina’s triumphant campaign. No side could match their strike rate of 24 goals in nine games, a statistic that had a lot to do with Ángel Correa and Giovanni Simeone. Correa, the talented Atlético Madrid forward, walked away with the Player of the Tournament award, while Simeone, the River Plate front man, was the competition’s top scorer with nine goals. Goalkeeper Augusto Batalla and central defender Emanuel Mammana also excelled.
“We worked hard chasing a goal we really wanted, and with God’s help we achieved it. The lads deserve this, now’s the time to enjoy it and do as well as we possibly can.”
LEONARDO PIPINO, PANAMA COACH
PANAMA
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Panamanian youth football has unquestionably improved, a trend underlined by appearances at both the FIFA U-17 and U-20 World Cups in recent years. And having been drawn in Group A at this year’s CONCACAF U-20 Championship, Los Canaleros went on to win their section — thus sealing their passage to New Zealand 2015. Boasting a mean defensive line that enabled them to keep clean sheets in winning all five group games against Aruba, Jamaica, USA, Guatemala and Trinidad and Tobago, Panama’s only goal against them came
in the 1–1 draw with Mexico in the title decider — an encounter they lost on penalties.
STRENGTHS AND STYLE
Discipline, coordination and focus were the team’s watch words at the regional showpiece. With the emphasis on getting the job done ahead of spectacular football, coach Leonardo Pipino sent out his side in a 4–3–3 formation that proved solid from back to front. The team were thus well placed to take advantage of the goalscoring instincts of quick and opportunistic striker Ismael Diaz, who made clinical use of the chances that came his way.
MONTEVIDEO.
PHOTO: AFP.
ISMAEL DIAZ (R) OF PANAMA IN ACTION AGAINST MOROCCO
EMIRATES. PHOTO: Getty Images.
“We did not manage to win the African U-20 championship [in Senegal], but the most important thing is to be at the World Cup, and we want to make Ghana and Africa proud again.”
SELLAS TETTEH, GHANA COACH
GHANA
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Ghana went into the 19th CAF African U-20 Championship with two goals: to qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand and win their fourth continental title. After winning their opening two group matches against South Africa and Zambia respectively, they secured their ticket to New Zealand. A 1– 0 defeat against Mali in their final group game saw them have to face their big rivals Nigeria in the Semi-Finals, and they went down 2– 0. However, there was a positive ending to the competition as they avenged their defeat against Mali to claim third place.
STRENGTHS AND STYLE
The Black Satellites play possession football with quick and accurate passing and are swift on the counter. In Clifford Aboagye and Yaw Yeboah Ghana have two creative players who are undoubtedly the fulcrum of the team. Aboagye, who plays for Granada in Spain, was a member of the 2013 team which placed third in Turkey and his experience and creativity are vital to the side. Yeboah, who is with Manchester City in England won the Player of the Tournament award in Senegal.
“The path that we’re taking at the OFB [Austrian Football Association] will be confirmed by our performance at New Zealand 2015 and we will not stray from it. After 2007 and 2011, it’s fantastic to be represented at a FIFA U-20 World Cup again.”
DR LEO WINDTNER, OFB PRESIDENT
AUSTRIA
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Austria punched their ticket to the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2015 by virtue of their two victories at the UEFA European U19 Championship: 3–1 and 3– 0 against host nation Hungary and Israel respectively. In their final group game they were on the wrong end of a 2–1 scoreline to Portugal, but did enough to finish in second place, securing passage to the Semi-Finals and making absolutely sure of qualification for New Zealand 2015. In the last four they succumbed 4–0 to eventual champions Germany.
STRENGTHS AND STYLE
While the loss of star left-winger Sinan Bytyqi to a knee injury is a huge blow to the Austrians, captain Francesco Lovric´ — a tall, strong and tactically mature centre-half who plays his club football with Stuttgart — is sure to lead by example. In attack, Florian Grillitsch is another name to look out for. Grillitsch and Bytyqi were the only Austrian players to net twice in Hungary, the former doing so in just three games. Grillitsch recently signed a professional contract with German Bundesliga club, Werder Bremen.
PHOTO: Getty ImagesGHANAIAN PLAYERS
GROUP B TEAMS
ARGENTINA
1 GK BATALLA, Augusto 19 CA River Plate, ARG
2 DF MAMMANA, Emanuel 19 CA River Plate, ARG
3 DF SUAREZ, Lucás 20 Quilmes AC, ARG
4 DF TRIPICHIO, Nicolás 19 CA Vélez Sarsfield, ARG
5 MF CUBAS, Adrián 19 CA Boca Juniors, ARG
6 DF CASASOLA, Tiago 19 Fulham FC, ENG
7 FW ESPINOZA, Cristian 20 CA Huracán, ARG
8 FW ROLÓN, Leonardo 20 CA Vélez Sarsfield, ARG
9 FW SIMEONE, Giovanni 19 CA River Plate, ARG
10 FW MARTINEZ, Tomás 20 CA River Plate, ARG
11 FW CORREA, Ángel 20 Atlético Madrid, ESP
12 GK DEVECCHI, José 19 CA San Lorenzo, ARG
13 GK ROSSI, Agustín 19 Estudiantes La Plata, ARG
14 FW PAVÓN, Cristian 19 CA Boca Juniors, ARG
15 FW ROLÓN, Maximiliano 20 FC Barcelona, ESP
16 FW IBAÑEZ, Daniel 20 CA San Lorenzo, ARG
17 FW ROMERO, Alejandro 20 CA Huracán, ARG
18 FW DRIUSSI, Sebastián 19 CA River Plate, ARG
19 FW BUENDÍA, Emiliano 18 Getafe CF, ESP
20 DF MONTESEIRÍN, Facundo 20 CA Lanús, ARG
21 DF MOREIRA, Rodrigo 18 CA Independiente, ARG
COACH LEONARDO PIPINO
PANAMA
1 GK DE GRACIA, Jaime 19 Tauro FC, PAN
2 DF HORMECHEA, Chin 19 CD Arabe Unido, PAN
3 DF GALVAN, Kevin 19 Sporting SM, PAN
4 DF MURILLO, Amir 19 San Francisco FC, PAN
5 MF NARBÓN, Francisco 20 James Madison University, USA
6 DF ESCOBAR, Fidel 20 Sporting SM, PAN
7 MF VELARDE, Julian 18 Chorrillo FC, PAN
8 MF PEREIRA, Luís 19 CD Arabe Unido, PAN
9 FW DÍAZ, Ismael 18 Tauro FC, PAN
10 MF RODRIGUEZ, Jhamal 20 Chorrillo FC, PAN
11 FW ZORRILLA, Ervin 19 San Francisco FC, PAN
12 GK MELENDEZ, Martin 20 San Francisco FC, PAN
13 DF BARED, Christopher 19 Villanova University, USA
5 DF FOBI, Kingsley 16 Right to Dream Academy FC, GHA
6 MF DONSAH, Godfred 18 Cagliari Calcio, ITA
7 FW TETTEH, Samuel 18 West African Football Academy FC, GHA
8 MF YEBOAH, Kofi 20 Wa All Stars FC, GHA
9 FW BOATENG, Emmanuel 19 Rio Ave FC, POR
10 FW ABOAGYE, Clifford 20 Inter Allies FC, GHA
11 MF ATTOBRAH, Abraham 20 New Edubiase United FC, GHA
12 GK BAAH, Kwame 17 Heart of Lions FC, GHA
13 MF ATANGA, David 18 FC Red Bull Salzburg, AUT
14 DF AIDOO, Joseph 19 Inter Allies FC, GHA
15 DF ADJEI, Joseph 19 Wa All Stars FC, GHA
16 GK SEIDU, Mutawakilu 19 Hearts of Oak SC, GHA
17 FW YEBOAH, Yaw 18 Manchester City FC, ENG
18 MF OSEI, Barnes 20 FC Pacos Ferreira, POR
19 FW TETTEH, Benjamin 17 Tudu Mighty Jets FC, GHA
20 FW KASSIM, Prosper 18 Inter Allies FC, GHA
21 DF ASMAH, Patrick 19 Brong Ahafo Stars FC, GHA
1 GK CASALI, Tino 19 FK Austria Wien, AUT
2 MF MAIER, Marcus 19 FC Admira Wacker, AUT
3 DF ROSENBICHLER, Daniel 19 FC Admira Wacker, AUT
4 DF GUGGANIG, Lukas 20 FC Red Bull Salzburg, AUT
5 DF LIENHART, Philipp 18 Real Madrid CF, ESP
6 DF LOVRIC ´ , Francesco 19 VfB Stuttgart, GER
7 FW KREUZER, Jakob 20 SV Josko Ried, AUT
8 MF MICHORL, Peter 20 LASK Linz, AUT
9 FW GRUBECK, Valentin 20 SV Horn, AUT
10 MF BLUTSCH, Markus 20 FC Admira Wacker, AUT
11 MF GRUBER, Andreas 19 SK Sturm Graz, AUT
12 GK MITMASSER, Stefan 20 SV Horn, AUT
13 DF BRANDNER, Michael 20 FC Liefering, AUT
14 FW GSCHWEIDL, Bernd 19 SV Groedig, AUT
15 DF PUCHEGGER, Patrick 20 FC Bayern München, GER
16 DF JOPPICH, Alexander 20 FC Liefering, AUT
17 MF LAIMER, Konrad 19 FC Red Bull Salzburg, AUT
18 MF RASNER, Martin 20 FC Liefering, AUT
19 FW GOESWEINER, Thomas 20 FC Admira Wacker, AUT
20 FW GRILLITSCH, Florian 19 SV Werder Bremen, GER
21 GK KREIDL, Johannes 19 Hamburger SV, GER
COACH HUMBERTO GRONDONA
COACH ANDREAS HERAF AUSTRIA
COACH SELLAS TETTEH GHANA
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GROUP C
QATAR
NEED TO KNOW: This is Qatar’s third appearance at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. The Qataris took part in the 1981 and 1995 tournaments, losing to Germany in the Final on the first of those occasions and going out in the group phase on the second.
POPULATION: 2.3 million
COACH: Felix Sanchez
COLOMBIA
NEED TO KNOW: New Zealand 2015 will mark Colombia’s ninth appearance at the FIFA U-20 World Cup and their third in a row, having hosted the event in 2011 and qualified for the last edition in Turkey. Their best performance came at United Arab Emirates 2003, where Reinaldo Rueda led them to a third-place finish.
POPULATION: 48 million
COACH: Carlos Alberto Restrepo
PORTUGAL
NEED TO KNOW: Portugal has won the competition twice, thanks to the golden generation coached by Carlos Queiroz, who followed up their 1989 triumph in Saudi Arabia by retaining the trophy on home soil two years later, beating Brazil in the Final. They’ve finished in the top three on two other occasions, in 2011 and 1995.
POPULATION: 10.5 million
COACH: Hélio Sousa
SENEGAL
NEED TO KNOW: This is the first time Senegal are participating at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. The only other times they came close to qualifying were in 1993 and 1995 when they made it to the finals of the African Championships, but went out in the group phase without winning a game both times.
POPULATION: 13.5 million
COACH: Marie Joseph Koto
GROUP C looks like one of the most exciting groups on paper with all four teams committed to playing a fast brand of attacking football. Expect goals aplenty from the six games in this group.
MAY 31 QATAR v. COLOMBIA 1:00pm Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
MAY 31 PORTUGAL v. SENEGAL 4:00pm Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
JUNE 3 QATAR v. PORTUGAL 4:00pm Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
JUNE 3 SENEGAL v. COLOMBIA 7:00pm Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
JUNE 6 SENEGAL v. QATAR 1:00pm Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
JUNE 6 COLOMBIA v. PORTUGAL 1:00pm Otago Stadium, Dunedin
ROUND OF 16
The winner of Group C will play the third-placed team in Group A, B or F. The runners-up will play the runners-up in Group A. Four third-placed teams will progress to the Round of 16 determined by points, goal difference and goals scored.
LEADING PORTUGUESE
GOAL SCORER ANDRÉ MIGUEL VALENTE DA SILVA.
PHOTO: PFF
CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINAL
“I am pleased with this performance [in the AFC Asian U-19 Championship] because the players have done really well from start to finish. I’ve enjoyed working with them in this competition and what we’ve achieved together is extraordinary.”
FELIX SANCHEZ, QATAR COACH
QATAR
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Qatar are making their return to the FIFA U-20 World Cup after a 20-year absence, courtesy of winning their maiden AFC Asian U-19 Championship crown in October 2014. Recording two wins and a draw to top Group D, the Qataris then overcame China PR in the last eight and saw host nation Myanmar off in extra time in the Semis. After checking into the Final for only the second time in their history, the Qataris defeated Korea DPR 1– 0 to secure the continental title and with it a third FIFA U-20 World Cup appearance.
STRENGTHS AND STYLE
Qatar’s Spanish coach Felix Sanchez built his team for the Asian Finals around a core of Europe-based players, among them striker Ahmed Alsadi and midfielder Ahmad Moein Doozandeh, both of whom play their club football for Eupen in Belgium. While Al Saadi top-scored in the tournament with five goals, Doozandeh took the Most Valuable Player award. Meanwhile, forward Akram Afif found the back of the net in every game in the knockout phase, including the Final.
COLOMBIA
HOW THEY GOT HERE
“We lacked a little bit of ruthlessness [in the South American U-20 Championship], otherwise we could have been in contention for the title. There’s still more to come from this squad.”
CARLOS ALBERTO RESTREPO,
Despite failing to retain the trophy they lifted in 2013, Colombia blossomed as the South American U-20 Championship wore on and bowed out on a high by clinching the runners-up spot for the second time in their history. Los Cafeteros advanced from Group B in third place following wins over Chile and Venezuela and narrow losses to Brazil and Uruguay. However, they stepped it up a notch in the final six-team round-robin phase, going unbeaten thanks to draws with Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay and impressive victories over Peru and Brazil.
STRENGTHS AND STYLE
COACH
Colombia’s game plan is based on bossing possession, smart movement and getting plenty of players into attacking positions. At the South American U-20 Championship they had one of the best defensive records (conceding just five times in nine matches) and six different players scored 12 goals. The squad oozes quality. Goalkeeper Álvaro Montero and central defender Juan Quintero are both rocks at the back. Further up the pitch, attacking midfielder Jarlan Barrera and forwards Rafael Borré and Jeison Lucumí are key players. Lucumí was the team’s top scorer in qualifying with four goals.
PYI TAW, BURMA. PHOTO: Getty Images.
PHOTO: AFP.
MARCOS LOPES (L), TOMAS PODSTAWSKI (2ND L) AND GELSON MARTINS (R) DURING THE UEFA U19 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP
“It was a shame we didn’t win the European U19 title but we’re going to keep on improving all the way through to the World Cup. It was a big achievement for us to get to New Zealand but we want more. We want the world title.”
HÉLIO SOUSA, PORTUGAL COACH
PORTUGAL
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Portugal barely put a foot wrong in qualifying for the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015, booking their place by winning all three of their group matches at the 2014 UEFA European U19 Championship in Hungary. That perfect record earned the Portuguese a Semi-Final against Serbia, whom they beat on penalties before being edged out by Germany in the Final.
STRENGTHS AND STYLE
As they showed at the European U19 Championship, Portugal are a skilful, attack-minded side that are strong in every department. Their front line was particularly impressive in Hungary, never more so than in the 6–1 defeat of the host nation in the group phase, a game in which André Miguel Valente da Silva became the first ever player to score four goals in a European Finals match in the age group. Another of the team’s standout performers is forward Marcos Lopes, also known as Rony Lopes. Currently on Manchester City’s books, he was loaned out to French side Lille at the start of the 2014/15 season and wasted little time in making an impression in Ligue 1, despite being only 19.
SENEGAL’S IBRAHIMA WADJI (R) CHALLENGES MALI’S YOUSSOUF KONE (L) DURING THE AFRICAN U-20 CHAMPIONSHIP
“We are happy with how we did in the continental finals and that has showed us that we can be confident going to our first U-20 World Cup.”
MARIE JOSEPH KOTO, SENEGAL COACH
SENEGAL
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Senegal’s campaign at the 19th CAF African U-20 Championship was like a roller coaster ride. The hosts lost the competition’s opening match 3–1 against Nigeria and then gave away a last-gasp equaliser against Côte d’Ivoire. Their dream of qualifying for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand seemed beyond their reach in their final group game as — needing a win — they were behind 3–2 against Congo with just three minutes to play. In a stunning reversal, substitute Sidy Sarr scored twice to give Les Lionceaux an unexpected
place in the Semi-Final. The fairytale continued as they beat Mali in the last four, before ending the competition as they started it, with a defeat against Nigeria.
STRENGTHS AND STYLE
Senegal played a refreshing attacking style of play at the African U-20 Championship and were rewarded with a second-place finish and a ticket to New Zealand. Led by free scoring midfielders Ibrahima Wadji and Sidy Sarr, both of whom made the Team of the Tournament, Joseph Koto’s team found the net seven times in their three group matches. Their coach will be worried that his side conceded at least a goal in each match — 10 in total.
GAME AGAINST GERMANY IN JULY 2014. PHOTO: Getty Images
MATCH IN DAKAR ON 19 MARCH 2015.
PHOTO: Getty Images.
GROUP C TEAMS
COACH FELIX SANCHEZ
QATAR
1 GK YOUSOF HASSAN 19 KAS Eupen, BEL
2 DF ALMUHAZA, Tameem 18 Al Gharafa SC, QAT
3 DF FAHAD SHANIN 20 KAS Eupen, BEL
4 MF ABDULLAH ABDULSALAM 18 Lekhwiya SC, QAT
5 DF SERIGNE ABDOU 20 Al Khor SC, QAT
6 DF AL HAJRI, Salem 19 Al Sadd SC, QAT
7 FW AL JALABI, Jassim 19 LASK Linz, AUT
8 MF AHMAD MOEIN 19 KAS Eupen, BEL
9 MF NASSER IBRAHIM 19 Al Sadd SC, QAT
10 MF AFIF, Akram 18 KAS Eupen, BEL
11 DF ALKUWARI, Sultan 19 Villarreal CF, ESP
12 DF JASEM MOHAMED 20 LASK Linz, AUT
13 GK ALBAKARI, Mohammed 18 Lekhwiya SC, QAT
14 MF ALSADI, Ahmed 19 KAS Eupen, BEL
15 DF AL BRAKE, Sultan 19 Al Wakrah SC, QAT
16 MF ALDERI, Abdulrahman 18 Al Rayyan SC, QAT
17 GK BASSAM HISHAM 17 Al Rayyan SC, QAT
18 MF MADIBO, Assim 18 LASK Linz, AUT
19 FW ALMOEZ ALI 18 KAS Eupen, BEL
20 MF SALMAN, Tarek 17 Lekhwiya SC, QAT
21 GK YAZAN NAIM 17 Al Ahli SC, QAT
COACH CARLOS ALBERTO RESTREPO
COLOMBIA
1 GK MONTERO, Álvaro 20 No club affiliation, UNK
2 DF HERNÁNDEZ, Aldayr 19 Bogota FC, COL
3 DF ÁNGULO, Jeison 18 Deportivo Cali, COL
4 DF LONDONO, Daniel 20 Envigado FC, COL
5 DF QUINTERO, Juan 20 Deportivo Cali, COL
6 MF TELLO, Andres 18 Juventus FC, ITA
7 MF QUINONES, Deinner 19 Deportes Quindío, COL
8 MF ZAPATA, Alexis 20 Udinese Calcio, ITA
9 MF RODRÍGUEZ, Jhoao 19 Vitoria Setubal, POR
10 MF VILLAREAL, Sergio 20 Millonarios FC, COL
11 MF LUCUMÍ, Jeison Steven 20 América de Cali, COL
12 GK VASQUEZ, Luis 19 Independiente Medellin, COL
13 DF SÁNCHEZ, Davinson 18 Atlético Nacional, COL
14 MF QUIÑONES, Rodin 20 Atlético Nacional, COL
15 MF AYALA, Jhoan 19 Deportivo La Equidad, COL
16 MF BARRERA, Jarlan 19 Atlético Junior, COL
17 MF OTERO, Juan 20 Fortaleza FC, COL
18 FW IBARGÜEN, Carlos 19 Deportivo Cortulua, COL
19 MF GUTIERREZ, Victor 19 Atlético Paranaense, BRA
3 DF CORREA, Andelinou 18 AS Dakar Sacré Coeur, SEN
4 DF SANE, Mouhameth 19 Dijon FCO, FRA
5 FW FAYE, Papa Diene 18 Mbour Petite Côte, SEN
6 DF CISSE, Elimane 20 Diambars FC, SEN
7 FW WADJI, Ibrahima 20 Mbour Petite Côte, SEN
8 MF SARR, Sidy 18 Mbour Petite Côte, SEN
9 DF CISSE, Pape Abou 19 AC Ajaccio, FRA
10 MF NIANG, Serigne 20 CS Sfaxien, TUN
11 FW NIANG, Malick 19 US Goree, SEN
12 MF NDIAYE, Mamadou 18 US Ouakam, SEN
13 DF SYLLA, Alhassane 19 Diambars FC, SEN
14 FW KONE, Moussa 18 AS Dakar Sacré Coeur, SEN 15 DF WAGUE, Moussa 16 Excellence Foot, SEN 16 GK SY, Seydou 19 AS Monaco, FRA
17 MF GOMIS, Roger 20 CS Louhans-Cuiseaux, FRA
18 MF SOW, Alassane 18 Real Zaragoza, ESP
19 FW THIAM, Mamadou 20 Dijon FCO, FRA
20 MF NASSALAN, Remi 19 Ndangane FC, SEN
21 GK SY, Ibrahima 19 FC Lorient, FRA
This could well be the ‘GROUP OF DEATH’ with all four sides boasting a strong pedigree at this level and impressing in qualifying tournaments on their way to the finals. Uruguay lost in the Final against France two years ago and they will be determined to go one step further this year.
MEXICO
NEED TO KNOW: Mexico are familiar faces at FIFA U-20 World Cup finals, having played in 13 of the 19 tournaments. Their best performance was in 1977 in Tunisia, when they finished second to the former Soviet Union. Since then they haven’t progressed past the Quarter-Finals, with the notable exception a third-place finish in 2011.
POPULATION: 121 million
COACH: Sergio Almaguer
MALI
NEED TO KNOW: This is Mali’s sixth appearance at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. The West Africans finished third in 1999 — the only time they managed to escape the Group Stages. Mali’s last victory at the finals dates back to 2003 when they beat Uzbekistan in their opening group game. Since then, they’ve lost six matches and drawn two.
POPULATION: 16 million
COACH: Fanyeri Diarra
GROUP D
MAY 31 MEXICO v. MALI
1:00pm Otago Stadium, Dunedin
MAY 31 URUGUAY v. SERBIA 4:00pm Otago Stadium, Dunedin
JUNE 3 MEXICO v. URUGUAY
4:00pm Otago Stadium, Dunedin
JUNE 3 SERBIA v. MALI
7:00pm Otago Stadium, Dunedin
JUNE 6 MALI v. URUGUAY
4:00pm Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
JUNE 6 SERBIA v. MEXICO
4:00pm Otago Stadium, Dunedin
ROUND OF 16
The winner of Group D will play the third-placed team in Group B, E or F. The runners-up will play the winner of Group E. Four third-placed teams will progress to the Round of 16 determined by points, goal difference and goals scored.
URUGUAY
NEED TO KNOW: Uruguay are a force to be reckoned with at this level. This is their 13th appearance in the Finals and their fifth in a row. La Celeste finished fourth in 1977, third in 1979 and they’ve finished runners-up twice, losing to Argentina in 1997 and to France in 2013.
POPULATION: 3.5 million
COACH: Fabián Coito
SERBIA
NEED TO KNOW: Serbia are making their U-20 World Cup debut as an independent nation at New Zealand 2015. The former Yugoslavia appeared twice in the competition, at Japan 1979 and Chile 1987, winning the title on the second of those occasions.
POPULATION: 7 million
COACH: Veljko Paunovic
MALI GOALKEEPER SORY IBRAHIMA TRAORE.
PHOTO: AFP
SERGIO ALMAGUER, MEXICO COACH
“In national teams, the right attitude is non-negotiable. You always have to focus on the positives so that, in the end, talent can shine through — sometimes when you least expect it. We’re in very good shape but we won’t take our foot off the pedal and we’re not getting carried away.”
MEXICO
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Mexico went into the CONCACAF U-20 Championship aiming to secure their ticket to New Zealand 2015 and successfully defend the confederation crown they’ve held since 2011. El Tri kicked off with three consecutive wins, downing Cuba, Canada and Honduras before taking on El Salvador with the opportunity to top the section — and clinch New Zealand 2015 qualification — with a match to spare. The Salvadorans made them sweat for a 3–1 win and El Tri again needed to show composure aplenty in the competition’s
decider — sinking Panama 4 –2 on penalties following a 1–1 draw.
STRENGTHS AND STYLE
‘Balanced’ is arguably the best word to describe Sergio Almaguer’s side. Employing a fluid 3–5 –2 or 4– 4–2 formation, Mexico’s attacking play is based around quick combinations in the final third. Midfielder Hirving Lozano, finished as the CONCACAF tournament’s joint top scorer with five goals to his name, and enjoyed a fruitful partnership with striker Alejandro Diaz. And in spite of the team’s adventurous approach, a back-line led by centre-back Rodrigo González proved effective in covering the spaces left behind.
MALI
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Mali qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup finals by topping their group ahead of the more fancied Ghanaians and South Africans at the 19th CAF African U-20 Championships. They were the only team to win all three matches in the group phase of the competition. Although they were stunned 2–1 in the Semi-Finals by the hosts Senegal and then lost the play-off for third place 3 –1 against Ghana’s Black Satellites, les Aiglons du Mali achieved their goal by ensuring another appearance at the U-20 World Cup Finals.
“We will not be going to New Zealand as tourists. We are going there with the honour and pride of representing our continent. We want to do well.”
YOUSSOUF KONÉ, MALI DEFENDER
STRENGTHS AND STYLE
In the group phase, Mali’s success was built on their strong back-line, in which goalkeeper Sory Ibrahim Traore was particularly impressive. The 19-year-old, who like his idol Manuel Neuer interprets the goalkeeping role to include playing like a sweeper when needed, leaked just one goal in the three group games. He was superbly assisted by Aboubacar Doumbia and Youssouf Koné, who occupied the two defensive flanks. Coach Fanyeri Diarra will be somewhat concerned about the goal-scoring abilities of his team though, as the six goals from five matches in Senegal was the lowest tally of the African qualifiers for New Zealand.
MALI’S
SEMI-FINAL MATCH PLAYED IN DAKAR ON 19
MARCH 2015.
PHOTO: AFP.
MEXICAN PLAYERS CELEBRATE
CUP 2015 IN NEW ZEALAND. PHOTO: AFP.
URUGUAY’S MAURO ARAMBARRI (R) WITH GASTON PEREIRO
AFTER SCORING AGAINST PERU IN THE SOUTH AMERICAN U-20
“We achieved one of our objectives, which was to qualify for the U-20 World Cup. The other one was to win the tournament [the South American U-20 Championship], but I’m happy with our performance. Still we have to raise our game because we need to give ourselves the weapons to win.”
FABIÁN COITO, URUGUAY
COACH
URUGUAY
HOW THEY GOT HERE
In hosting the 2015 South American U-20 Championship, Uruguay had their sights set on something better than third place. Despite losing to Venezuela in the final game in Group B, the Uruguayans still emerged section winners thanks to wins over Colombia, Brazil and Chile. They began the final six-team round in fine style, drawing against the Brazilians and seeing off Peru and Paraguay, though a subsequent draw with the Colombians and a defeat to Argentina denied them a title they last won back in 1981.
STRENGTHS AND STYLE
Boasting the best goalkeeper in the tournament in Gastón Guruceaga and an obdurate back-line protected by industrious midfield duo Mauro Arambarri and Nahitan Nández, Uruguay proved a hard side to break down and let in a mere five goals in nine games — one of the meanest defensive records in the competition. At the other end of the pitch, Arambarri, the playmaker Gastón Pereiro and centre-forward Franco Acosta scored 12 goals between them. Also excelling in attack were wide midfielders Rodrigo Amaral and Facundo Castro, who each chipped in with four assists.
SERBIA’S NEMANJA MAKSIMOVIC ´ GOES FOR A HEADER DURING THE UEFA U19 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH AT PERUTZ-STADIUM ON 22 JULY
“We’re a real unit and that’s our main strength. We’ve got a solid team here, and the fact they want to emulate the previous generation has given them all the more desire and passion. We’re going to show what we’re about.” VELJKO PAUNOVIC, SERBIA COACH
SERBIA
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Serbia went into the 2014 UEFA European U19 Championship as the holders and had serious designs on retaining their title. Serbian hopes seemed well-founded considering, their side contained the likes of Nemanja Maksimovic´, Mijat Gac´inovic´ and Sergej Milinko Savic — three mainstays of the side that won the 2013 crown in Lithuania. As it turned out, however, they went no further than the last four, though consolation came in the shape of a place at New Zealand 2015. Serbia came unstuck in a penalty shootout against
Semi-Final opponents Portugal, the two sides having played out a goalless draw in normal time. That match took the number of European finals games that the Serbians have gone undefeated to nine.
STRENGTHS AND STYLE
Though the eastern Europeans came up short in their bid to retain their UEFA European U19 Championship title, the Orli c´i will be genuine contenders in New Zealand. Employing a 4–2–3–1 formation, Serbia’s game plan is based on the tireless work performed by midfield ball-winners Saša Zdjelar and Maksimovic´, who both impressed in Hungary, as did defenders Srdan Babic and Vukasin Jovanovic, both named in the Team of the Tournament.
(L)
MATCH IN MONTEVIDEO ON 29 JANUARY 2015
PHOTO: Getty Images.
2014. PHOTO: Getty Images.
GROUP D TEAMS
COACH SERGIO ALMAGUER MEXICO
1 GK GONZALEZ, José 20 FC Dallas, USA
2 DF GUTIÉRREZ, Kevin 20 Querétaro FC, MEX
3 DF BERNAL, Oscar 19 Santos Laguna, MEX
4 DF GONZÁLEZ, Rodrigo 20 Club America, MEX
5 MF FLORES, Sergio 20 Chivas Guadalajara, MEX
6 MF GUZMAN, Victor 20 Chivas Guadalajara, MEX
7 MF GUTIÉRREZ, Erick 19 CF Pachuca, MEX
8 MF LOZANO, Hirving 19 CF Pachuca, MEX
9 FW MARTÍNEZ, Guillermo 20 CF Pachuca, MEX
10 FW DÍAZ, Alejandro 19 Club America, MEX
11 MF RAMIREZ, José 19 Chivas Guadalajara, MEX
12 GK RESÉNDEZ, Edson 19 CF Monterrey, MEX
13 DF ARREOLA, Carlos 20 CF Atlas, MEX
14 DF AGUIRRE, Erick 18 CA Monarcas Morelia, ME
15 MF PINEDA, Orbelín 19 Querétaro FC, MEX
16 DF RODRÍGUEZ, Osvaldo 18 CF Pachuca, MEX
17 MF MÁRQUEZ, Luis 20 Chivas Guadalajara, MEX
18 FW GAMA, Diego 19 Atlético Madrid, ESP
19 FW PINEDA, Diego 20 Club America, MEX
20 MF LAINEZ, Mauro 19 CF Pachuca, MEX
21 GK GUDIÑO, Raúl 19 FC Porto, POR
COACH FANYERI DIARRA
MALI
1 GK BAYE, Mahamane 18 AS Avenir De Tombouctou, MLI
2 FW DIALLO, Mohamed 19 Mouloudia Club of Oujda, MAR
3 MF DIARRA, Souleymane 20 Wydad Athletic Club, Casablanca, MAR
4 DF KONE, Youssouf 19 Lille Olympique Sporting Club, FRA
5 DF DIARRA, Ichaka 20 Djoliba Athletic Club, MLI
6 DF MAIGA, Hamidou 18 Djoliba Athletic Club, MLI
7 FW KONATE, Lassine 18 Stade Laval, FRA
8 MF SAMASSEKOU, Diadie 19 AS Real Bamako, MLI
9 FW GUINDO, Saliou 18 Asec Mimosas, CIV
10 FW TRAORE, Hamidou 18 Sanica Boru Elazi˘g spor, TUR
11 FW TOURE, Malick 19 Club Africain, TUN
12 DF COULIBALY, Souleymane 18 AS Real Bamako, MAL
13 DF DOUMBIA, Aboubacar 20 AS Real Bamako, MLI
14 FW DIALLO, Alassane 20 Koninklijke Voetbal Club Westerlo, BEL
15 FW SISSOKO, Souleymane 19 AS Onze Createurs, MLI
16 GK DIARRA, Djigui 20 Stade Malien De Bamako, MLI
17 MF SACKO, Falaye 20 Djoliba Athletic Club, MLI
18 MF GBAKLE, Dieudonne 19 Lille Olympique Sporting Club, FRA
19 FW TRAORE, Adama 19 Lille Olympique Sporting Club, FRA
20 MF DIABATE, Fousseyni 19 Stade De Reims, FRA
21 GK TRAORE, Sory 19 Association Sportive De Bamako, MLI
NEW ZEALAND (NZL) UKRAINE (UKR) USA (USA) MYANMAR (MYA)
MATCH 01 Saturday 30 May 1:00pm AUCKLAND NEW ZEALAND v. UKRAINE
MATCH 02 Saturday 30 May 4:00pm WHANGAREI USA v. MYANMAR
MATCH 13 Tuesday 2 June 7:00pm AUCKLAND NEW ZEALAND v. USA
MATCH 14 Tuesday 2 June 1:00pm WHANGAREI MYANMAR v. UKRAINE
MATCH 25 Friday 5 June 7:00pm WELLINGTON MYANMAR v. NEW ZEALAND
GROUP B
MATCH 26 Friday 5 June 7:00pm AUCKLAND UKRAINE v. USA
MATCH 03 Saturday 30 May 4:00pm WELLINGTON ARGENTINA v. PANAMA
MATCH 15 Tuesday 2 June 7:00pm
MATCH 16 Tuesday 2 June 4:00pm
AUSTRIA v. PANAMA
MATCH 04 Saturday 30 May 7:00pm WELLINGTON GHANA v.
MATCH 27 Friday 5 June 4:00pm WELLINGTON AUSTRIA v. ARGENTINA
GROUP C
MATCH 28 Friday 5 June 4:00pm AUCKLAND PANAMA v. GHANA
MATCH 05 Sunday 31 May 1:00pm HAMILTON QATAR v. COLOMBIA
MATCH 06 Sunday 31 May 4:00pm HAMILTON PORTUGAL v. SENEGAL
MATCH 17 Wednesday 3 June 4:00pm HAMILTON QATAR v. PORTUGAL
MATCH 18 Wednesday 3 June 7:00pm HAMILTON SENEGAL v. COLOMBIA
MATCH 29 Saturday 6 June 1:00pm HAMILTON SENEGAL v. QATAR
MATCH 30 Saturday 6 June 1:00pm DUNEDIN COLOMBIA v. PORTUGAL QATAR (QAT) COLOMBIA (COL) PORTUGAL (POR) SENEGAL (SEN)
FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015
against Germany at the FIFA World Cup 2014, all eyes will be on the Brazil U-20 side to see if the next generation can restore some much needed pride to the football-mad country. Their opening game against African champions Nigeria promises to be a good one.
ROUND OF 16
The winner of Group E will play the runners-up in Group D. The runners-up will play the winner in Group F. Four third-placed teams will progress to the Round of 16 determined by points, goal difference and goals scored.
GROUP E
JUNE 1
NIGERIA v. BRAZIL
1:00pm Stadium Taranaki, New Plymouth
JUNE 1 KOREA DPR v. HUNGARY
4:00pm Stadium Taranaki, New Plymouth
JUNE 4 NIGERIA v. KOREA DPR
4:00pm Stadium Taranaki, New Plymouth
JUNE 4
HUNGARY v. BRAZIL
7:00pm Stadium Taranaki, New Plymouth
JUNE 7
BRAZIL v. KOREA DPR
5:00pm Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch
JUNE 7 HUNGARY v. NIGERIA
5:00pm Stadium Taranaki, New Plymouth
NIGERIA
NEED TO KNOW: This is Nigeria’s 11th appearance at the FIFA U-20 World Cup finals. The West Africans have thrice previously advanced to the Semi-Finals, finishing runners-up in 1989 and 2005 and third in 1985. The Flying Eagles failed just twice in their 10 previous appearances to escape the Group Stage.
POPULATION: 183 million
COACH: Manu Garba
BRAZIL
NEED TO KNOW: Brazil have won five FIFA U-20 World Cups — one shy of Argentina with six titles. Portugal, with two wins, are the only other country to have lifted the trophy more than once. Brazil have appeared in 16 of the 18 editions of the tournament, missing out in Japan 1979 and Turkey 2013.
POPULATION: 204 million
COACH: Mário Rogério Micale
KOREA DPR
NEED TO KNOW: New Zealand 2015 will be Korea DPR’s third FIFA U-20 World Cup campaign, having represented Asia at Canada 2007 and Colombia 2011. The Young Chollima failed to progress beyond the group phase in their previous two attempts.
POPULATION: 25 million
COACH: An Ye Gun
HUNGARY
NEED TO KNOW: Hungary have participated in the FIFA U-20 World Cup on five occasions. Their best-ever tournament performance came the last time they qualified, in Egypt in 2009, when they lost to eventual winners Ghana in the Semi-Finals and beat Costa Rica on penalties in the play-off for third place.
POPULATION: 10 million
COACH: Bernd Storck
HUNGARY’S
ZSOLT KALMAR (19) IN ACTION AGAINST PORTUGAL IN JULY 2014. PHOTO: HFF.
“This team is the future of Nigerian football. We have only two players from the Nigeria Premier League with the rest from academies, which is a good sign for the development of Nigerian football.”
MANU GARBA, NIGERIA COACH
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Going into the 19th CAF African U-20 Championships, Nigeria were one of the clear favourites and the Flying Eagles lived up to their top billing. After just two matches, they’d made sure of a place in the Semi-Finals and secured their ticket for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Finals. They beat rivals Ghana 2–0 in the Semi-Finals and defeated the host Senegal for the second time, having beaten them 3 –1 in the opening game, in the championship match, to secure their seventh African title.
STRENGTHS AND STYLE
With 12 goals from five matches in Senegal, Nigeria proved themselves to be an attacking powerhouse. Captain and defender Musa Mohammed surprisingly topped the scoring charts with four goals. Manu Garba’s team is also capable of playing a patient game — as they did in the Semis against Ghana — where the Black Satellites dominated much of the game, but the Nigerians bided their time and scored the goals. Garba’s team should have more high-level experience in New Zealand as he’ll be able to call on the likes of European-based starlets Success Isaac, Kelechi Iheanacho and Onyinye Ndidi.
BRAZIL NIGERIA
“I’ve been able to introduce some of the concepts I wish to apply during the U-20 World Cup. Hopefully we’ll keep up this hard work and start the competition in a position to fight for the title.”
MÁRIO ROGÉRIO MICALE, BRAZIL COACH
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Brazil progressed to the final phase of the South American U-20 Championship as Group B runners-up behind Uruguay. There, six teams battled for four tickets to New Zealand, and fourth is where A Seleção finished, with seven points from four matches. That may have been a disappointing return for that competition’s record 11-time champions, but bright sparks included four goals from diminutive attacking midfielder Marcos Guilherme, a couple of long-range pile drivers from powerful forward Thalles, and the swashbuckling skills of 17-year-old Malcom.
STRENGTHS AND STYLE
Brazil adopted a defensive set-up at the South American U-20 Championship, and with it they struggled for goals. They failed to score in four of their nine games, and only posted more than two goals once. That was indebted to poor finishing rather than a lack of invention, as in Marcos Guilherme and Nathan they possess masterful creators. Of course every Brazil team is compared to previous generations. Some of Brazil’s U-20 World Cup graduates include Bebeto, Dunga, Jorginho, Taffarel, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho Gaucho, Kaka, Adriano, Dani Alves, Alexandre Pato, Oscar and Philippe Coutinho.
MARCH 2015 IN DAKAR. PHOTO: AFP. MARCOS
MONTEVIDEO IN JANUARY 2015. PHOTO: AFP.
“The most important thing I’ve learned from this tournament [Asian qualifying tournament] is that the players have to be physically prepared. If you are not in the right shape even if you are a good player, you will play bad. We need to focus on more physical preparations and tactical trainings before New Zealand.” AN
YE GUN, KOREA DPR
HEAD COACH
KOREA DPR
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Having missed out on a place at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Turkey 2013, Korea DPR entered the Asian qualifying tournament in October desperately seeking their return to the global showpiece in 2015. And they duly achieved that goal by reaching the final of the AFC U-19 Championship, only to be edged out by Qatar by 1–0. They saw off Japan in the Quarter-Final clash to claim one of Asia’s four qualifying spots for New Zealand.
STRENGTHS AND STYLE
On the surface, coach An Ye Gun’s charges are a typical Korea DPR side, playing with trademark fighting spirit and soaking up pressure before hitting teams on the break. They employed a conservative game plan in the lead-up to the Semi-Finals of the Asian qualifying tournament but they emerged a different side against Uzbekistan, dominating the Semi-Final from start to finish as they ran out 5–0 winners. Midfielder Jo Kwang Myong was the tournament’s joint top-scorer with five goals, including a hat-trick against Uzbekistan. Providing the ammunition is Ri Un Chol, while So Jong Hyok is a formidable presence in the striker role.
“If we do our job properly, we’ll have our chances against all three [group] opponents. We’re going to give our all and we’ll see where that takes us.”
ZSOLT KALMÁR, HUNGARY MIDFIELDER
HUNGARY
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Third-place finishers at the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2011, Hungary only qualified for the upcoming tournament by the skin of their teeth. At the UEFA European U19 Championship 2014, which they hosted, the Magyars lost their opening two group games 3 –1 and 6 –1 against Austria and Portugal respectively, but managed to grind out a 2–1 win against Israel in their final game. The result was not enough to take them into the Semi-Finals but did ensure they finished third in Group A and booked their place on the plane to New Zealand.
STRENGTHS AND STYLE
Despite those two emphatic defeats, the European U-19 Championship proved the ideal shop window for some of Hungary’s young stars to showcase their talents. Left-back Krisztián Tamás, trialled with English Premiership sides Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur before signing for Italian giants AC Milan. He’s spent this season on loan at Slavia Prague and he will be one of Hungary’s key players along with midfielder and team captain Zsolt Kalmár. The 19-year-old plays for German club RB Leipzig and is already a full Hungarian international, having made his debut aged just 18.
NORTH KOREA DPR CELEBRATE AFTER THEIR VICTORY OVER JAPAN IN THE U-19 CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINAL GAME PLAYED ON 17 OCTOBER 2014 IN NAY PYI TAW, BURMA. PHOTO: Getty Images.
MARIÓ NÉMETH (10) IN ACTION IN THE 2014 UEFA EUROPEAN UNDER-19 CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH AGAINST PORTUGAL IN JULY 2014.
PHOTO: HFF
GROUP E TEAMS
COACH MANU GARBA
1 GK ENAHOLO, Joshua 18 MFM FC, NGA
2 DF MUHAMMED, Musa 18 FC Heart Academy, NGA
3 DF MUSTAPHA, Abdullahi 19 Spotlights FC, NGA
4 MF IDOWU, Akinjide 18 Nigeria Young Academy, NGA
5 DF NDIDI, Onyinye 18 K.R.C. Genk, BEL
6 DF OMEGO, Prince 18 Apapa Golden Stars FC, NGA
7 MF BULBWA, Bernard 18 Shuttle Sports Academy, NGA
8 MF SOKARI, Kingsley 20 Enyimba FC, NGA
9 FW ISAAC, Success 19 Granada CF, ESP
10 FW IHEANACHO, Kelechi 18 Manchester City FC, ENG
11 MF YAHAYA, Musa 17 Tottenham Hotspur FC, ENG
12 MF IFEANYI, Ifeanyi 19 Water FC, NGA
13 FW GODWIN, Saviour 18 FC Sports, NGA
14 MF NWAKALI, Chidiebere 18 Manchester City FC, ENG
15 MF MATHEW, Ifeanyi 18 El-Kanemi Warriors FC, NGA
16 GK ALAMPASU, Dele 18 Football College Academy, NGA
17 FW EZEH, Chidera 17 FC Porto, POR
18 FW AWONIYI, Taiwo 17 Imperial Academy, NGA
19 DF BELLO, Zaharaddeen 17 Dabo Babes Academy, NGA
20 FW SIMON, Moses 19 KAA Gent, BEL
21 GK OJO, Olorunleke 19 Giwa FC, NGA
COACH MÁRIO RÓGERIO MICALE
BRAZIL
1 GK MARCOS 19 Fluminense FC, BRA
2 DF PEDRO, João 19 SE Palmeiras, BRA
3 DF LUCAO 19 Sao Paulo FC, BRA
4 DF MARLON 19 Fluminense FC, BRA
5 MF DANILO 19 Sporting Braga, POR
6 DF CAJU 19 Santos FC, BRA
7 FW MARCOS GUILHERME 19 Atlético Paranaense, BRA
8 MF BOSCHILIA 19 Sao Paulo FC, BRA
9 FW JUDIVAN 20 Cruzeiro EC, BRA
10 MF DE JESUS, Gabriel 18 SE Palmeiras, BRA
11 FW KENEDY 19 Fluminense FC, BRA
12 GK GEORGEMY 19 Cruzeiro EC, BRA
13 DF RODRIGO 20 Coritiba FC, BRA
14 DF MAIDANA, Iago 19 Criciuma EC, BRA
15 DF PEREIRA, Leo 19 Atlético Paranaense, BRA
16 DF JORGE 19 CR Flamengo, BRA
17 MF ALEF 20 Olympique Marseille, FRA
18 MF PEREIRA, Andreas 19 Manchester United FC, ENG
19 MF JAJA 20 CR Flamengo, BRA
20 FW JEAN CARLOS 19 Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, ESP
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Germany go into the FIFA U-20 World Cup as one of the tournament favourites. In contrast it will be Fiji’s first appearance in a FIFA tournament in their 76-year history. One of the giants of world football takes on the newcomer in the opening game of what promises to be an intriguing GROUP F.
GERMANY
NEED TO KNOW: Germany has participated in the tournament nine times, most recently in Egypt in 2009 when they were narrowly beaten by Brazil in the Quarter-Finals. The only time they went all the way was in their very first tournament in Australia in 1981 where they beat Qatar 4– 0 in the Final.
POPULATION: 81 million
COACH: Frank Wormuth
FIJI
NEED TO KNOW: While Fiji have a long and proud football tradition in Oceania, the current squad will be the first to represent the nation at a FIFA tournament. Previously, Tahiti was the only Oceania nation to break the continental dominance of Australia and New Zealand when they featured at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
POPULATION: 860,000
COACH: Frank Farina
GROUP F
JUNE 1 GERMANY v. FIJI
1:00pm Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch
JUNE 1 UZBEKISTAN v. HONDURAS 4:00pm Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch
JUNE 4 HONDURAS v. FIJI
4:00pm Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch
JUNE 4 GERMANY v. UZBEKISTAN
7:00pm Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch
JUNE 7 HONDURAS v. GERMANY
2:00pm Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch
JUNE 7 FIJI v. UZBEKISTAN
2:00pm Northland Events Centre, Whangarei
ROUND OF 16
The winner of Group F will play the runners-up in Group E. The runners-up will play the runners-up in Group B. Four third-placed teams will progress to the Round of 16 determined by points, goal difference and goals scored.
UZBEKISTAN
NEED TO KNOW: New Zealand 2015 marks Uzbekistan’s fourth appearance at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Uzbekistan progressed beyond the Group Stage only once, at Turkey 2013, when they went all the way to the last eight only to lose out to eventual champions France.
POPULATION: 25 million
COACH: Ravshan Khaydarov
HONDURAS
NEED TO KNOW: Honduras’ record in the tournament is modest to say the least. In their five appearances since the inaugural competition in Tunisia in 1977, Los Catrachos have won only three games and have gone out in the group phase on each occasion.
POPULATION: 8.5 million
COACH: Jorge Jimenez
DEYBI FLORES (L) IN ACTION
2015. PHOTO: AFP
“I hope we have 30 players who are all ready to go to this World Cup.”
FRANK WORMUTH, GERMANY COACH
GERMANY
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Inspired by the senior team that finished victorious at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, Germany booked their ticket to New Zealand 2015 with victory at the UEFA European U-19 Championship in Hungary. After topping their group following wins against Bulgaria and Ukraine and a draw against Serbia, they then trounced Austria 4 –0 to seal a place in the Final. Frank Wormuth’s charges then negotiated the final hurdle by overcoming Portugal 1– 0, securing their first European trophy at men’s U19 level since 2008.
STRENGTHS AND STYLE
During that victorious campaign in Hungary, a number of players emerged as key figures in the side including team captain and defensive utility man Niklas Stark from Nürnberg, Eintracht Frankfurt playmaker Marc Stendera and explosive winger Julian Brandt of Bayer Leverkusen. The current side are at home playing the new style of attractive, fast-paced and tactically flexible football for which Germany are now becoming famous. Their coach Frank Wormuth has helped develop this style in his role as Director of Training for Football Coaches at the DFB (German Football Association). Wormuth’s first coaching job was as assistant to current FIFA World Cup-winning coach Joachim Löw.
“We have been waiting to play in a FIFA event for a long time, and now we have managed to do so for the very first time in 76 years. This is not only a victory for the Fiji Football Federation, but for the whole country.”
RAVINESH KUMAR, HEAD OF ADMINISTRATION
FIJI
HOW THEY GOT HERE
With New Zealand hosting the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2015, Oceania’s aspirants entered the May 2014 qualifiers in the knowledge they had a rare opportunity to win through to the global showpiece. Fiji produced a near-perfect campaign on home soil, dropping just two points in a 2–2 draw against nearest challengers Vanuatu. Earlier they enjoyed comfortable victories over American Samoa (4–0), New Caledonia (2–0) and Papua New Guinea (3–0), before their nervy final-day 2–1 win over Solomon Islands created history.
STRENGTHS AND STYLE
The stereotype traditionally associated with Fiji is one of power mixed with typical Pacific flair and spirit. The current crop are evidence that times are changing. The Fiji squad have enjoyed considerable preparation time and international exposure over recent years, perhaps more so than other Fijian teams. The side spent a lengthy period together at the National Football Academy in Ba, Fiji, and the team are thus tactically aware and methodical in their approach. The squad primarily consists of players based in the Fijian national league, while a handful ply their trade in New Zealand.
FIJIAN MIDFIELDER NICKEL CHAND (L) IN ACTION.
PHOTO: Phototek
2014. PHOTO: Getty Images.
UZBEKISTAN PLAYERS CELEBRATE AFTER THEIR WIN OVER SYRIA IN THE QUARTER-FINAL AFC U-19 CHAMPIONSHIP
“We displayed our character [in the qualifiers] and achieved the desired result. I think this will add confidence to my players and help us in our future challenges.”
RAVSHAN KHAYDAROV, UZBEKISTAN COACH
UZBEKISTAN
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Long known as a force to be reckoned with in Asia, Uzbekistan are now progressing rapidly on the global stage. Taking heart from making the FIFA U-20 World Cup Quarter-Finals in 2013, Uzbekistan entered the AFC U-19 Championship aiming to win their first continental title. They opened brightly with a win over Indonesia and drew with the United Arab Emirates and Australia to progress to the last eight. A narrow win against Thailand sealed their place in the Semi-Finals and, with that, a place at New Zealand 2015.
ON 11 NOVEMBER
But their tournament ended in disappointment with a crushing 5–0 loss to Korea DPR in the last four.
STRENGTHS AND STYLE
Since joining the Asian Football Association back in 1994, Uzbekistan teams have impressed with their European-style play, and this U-20 side — organised, balanced and physically strong — is no exception. The current squad features seven players from the side that won the 2012 AFC U-16 Championship, including Zabikhillo Urinboev, who has experience of two FIFA tournaments: the 2011 U-17 World Cup and the 2013 U-20 World Cup. With his experience and skill, the forward was a key man in Uzbekistan’s qualifying campaign, scoring five times in four appearances.
“We’ve earned the right to go and represent Honduras better than ever before. Honduras have never had much luck at the U-20 World Cup and that’s the next challenge for us. The boys have put in a lot of work and they deserve all the plaudits they get.”
JORGE JIMENEZ, HONDURAS COACH
HONDURAS
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Honduras went into the CONCACAF qualifying competition for New Zealand 2015 determined not to miss out on the world finals for a third time in a row. Los Catrachos kicked off with a 2–2 draw against El Salvador and then beat Cuba 3–0 before going down by the same scoreline to eventual group winners Mexico. The Hondurans bounced back with 3–2 defeats of Haiti and Canada, which secured them second place in the section and a play-off against Guatemala, a game they won 2–1 to book their first U-20 World Cup appearance since Egypt 2009.
STRENGTHS AND STYLE
Employing a traditional 4–4–2 formation in the qualifiers, Honduras were indebted to strike duo Alberth Elis and Bryan Róchez for putting away the chances created for them by tireless midfielders Deybi Flores and Michaell Chirinos, who posed a threat of their own up front and also did their fair share of ball winning. Behind them, Jonathan Paz and Luis Santos marshalled the defence with aplomb, while also finding time to get forward themselves, playing their part in a well-drilled side that is patient in its build-up play and intent on keeping its shape.
BRYAN RÓCHEZ (R) IN ACTION IN A FRIENDLY AGAINST CHINA PLAYED IN XIAN ON18 NOVEMBER 2014. PHOTO: Getty Images.
20 MF FLORES, Deybi 18 Vancouver Whitecaps FC, CAN
21 GK TEJADA, Rodimiro 19 CD Parrillas One, HON
FIFA QUALITY PROGRAMME
FOOTBALLS
RAISING THE STANDARD OF FOOTBALLS
FOOTBALL TURF
GOAL-LINE TECHNOLOGY
SUPPORTING THE REFEREE
FOOTBALL IN SCHOOLS
Fancy yourself as something of a football know-it-all? Test yourself with these questions and learn a little more about the FIFA U-20 World Cup Football in Schools Programme while you’re at it.
The Football in Schools Programme is a theory-based learning resource designed to celebrate and promote New Zealand hosting the FIFA U-20 World Cup. The programme includes learning and teaching resources for Years 1– 8. Here’s a sneaky peek at what children all over the country have been learning from the four themes in the programme and some questions to test your football general knowledge.
FOOTBALL SUPERSTARS
Develop an understanding of the personalities, achievements and stories behind some of the heroes in football, as well as gaining an insight into some of the defining moments of the game.
QUESTIONS
A WORLD OF FOOTBALL
Develop an understanding of how people participate in sport and how sport allows them to develop an appreciation of cultural diversity.
QUESTIONS
6. How many FIFA Confederations are there?
7. What is the only continent not affiliated to a FIFA Confederation?
8. Which of the countries participating in the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 has the highest population?
9. Which of the countries participating in the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 has the lowest population?
10. Which of the countries participating in FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 has a similar population to New Zealand?
1. What country did Diego Maradona play for?
2. What English Premier League side did David Beckham play for?
3. What position does Winston Reid play for the All Whites?
4. What was Brazilian legend Pele’s full name?
5. Who is the youngest player to score in a World Cup Final?
insight into the opportunities and events on offer during the FIFA U-20 World Cup tournament.
QUESTIONS
11. What is the name of the New Zealand men’s national football team?
A The All Blacks B The All Whites
C The Silver Ferns D The Black Ferns
12. What is the official slogan of the FIFA U-20 World Cup tournament?
A FIFA Footy Fun
B Aotearoa — Land Of The Football
C Keep Your Eye On The Ball
D This Is The One
13. Which of these cities is not hosting a FIFA U-20 World Cup tournament game?
A Nelson B Whangarei
C New Plymouth D Hamilton
LET ’S PLAY
Develop an understanding of the game of football, including its rules, skills, vocabulary and technology.
QUESTIONS
Answer True or False for each of the following questions:
16. There are 24 players on a football pitch at any one time.
17. A handball is any part of your arm from your shoulder to the tips of your fingernails.
18. If you receive a warning from the referee you are shown a yellow card
19. When throwing in from the sideline, both hands must be used.
20. A linesman or lineswoman must hold the flag in their right hand.
14. How long is each half of a game of football? A 10 minutes B 45 minutes
C 60 minutes D 90 minutes
15. What does FIFA stand for? A Fun In Football Always
B The Foreign International Football Association
C Football Is Freedom and Action
D The Fédération Internationale de Football Association
YOUR GAME QUALITY FOR
In a tournament as tightly contested as the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015, the smallest detail can be the difference between winning and losing. That’s why the football used must respond in the same way every time it is struck, from the first kick-off to the final whistle.
The smallest defect affects the flight of the ball, its performance on the pitch and ultimately the outcome of the entire match. A ball like the adidas Conext 15 therefore has to pass seven quality tests before being certified for use in international matches.
One of these tests is performed using a fully automated machine known as the “CSM”. This machine measures the circumference and roundness of the ball — two factors which are critical to the quality of the football on display. After all, if a ball is not completely round it will not roll correctly, making it difficult to control and dribble.
The CSM makes it almost impossible to overlook any imperfection on the ball. It measures the ball’s radius at 45,000 different points to ensure that any defects in the ball’s roundness situated opposite one another do not cancel each other out. If a ball passes the
WATCH
It’s this mark that you should look out for the next time you’re confronted by a wall lined with footballs at your local sports shop. Buying the right ball doesn’t have to be a game of chance. If you want a high-quality ball whose properties
“on the ball” by choosing one bearing the FIFA APPROVED quality mark. It’s that simple.
http://quality.fifa.com/
FIFA 11 + TO PREVENT INJURIES
The “FIFA 11+” is a complete warm-up programme to reduce injuries among male and female football players aged 14 years and older. The programme was developed by an international group of experts and its effectiveness has been proven in several scientific studies, which showed that teams that performed the “FIFA 11+” at least twice a week had a significantly lower risk of injury (approx. 30-50% fewer injured players) than teams that warmed up as usual.
The “FIFA 11+” is not only beneficial in preventing injuries; it can also improve physical performance. Studies with amateur teams showed that female and male players performing the “FIFA 11+” as a standard warm-up had significantly better strength, balance, agility and neuromuscular control after two to three months than players following their routine warm-up.
Countrywide campaigns in amateur football (Switzerland, New Zealand) have shown how the FIFA preventive programmes can also reduce the health-care costs related to football injuries.
The “FIFA 11+” has three parts with a total of 15 exercises, which should be performed, as a standard warm-up, in the specified sequence. A key point of the programme, which takes around 20 minutes to complete, is to use
the proper technique during all of the exercises. Therefore, the coach should supervise the programme and correct players if necessary. Prior to matches, only the running exercises (parts 1 and 3) should be performed.
Since 2009, the “FIFA 11+” has been presented at numerous sports medicine congresses, and workshops for coaches, fitness trainers, physical therapists and doctors have been organised around the world. F-MARC (FIFA Medical Assessment and Research Centre) works closely with the FIFA Member Associations & Development Division on the implementation of the programme, and the “FIFA 11+” is also part of the educational material of official FIFA coaching courses.
Education material such as posters, clips and much more is freely available for download. To learn more, go to http://f-marc.com/11plus/home/
Several of FIFA’s member associations have endorsed the programme, such as current World Cup champions Germany as well as Brazil, Italy, Spain and Japan.
REFEREES READY FOR FOR ACTION
With the future stars of world football set to light up stadiums across New Zealand, the event requires impeccable preparation not only in terms of the players but also for the match officials.
The countdown to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ is underway with FIFA organising a number of Elite Referees Seminars across the globe in recent months. The goal is still the same: to have the best referees for the FIFA World Cup™ and all upcoming FIFA competitions — including the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015.
The referees went through a host of activities that included theoretical sessions in the classroom as well as practical sessions on the field of play.
The theory focused on a wide variety of topics such as reading the game, positioning, offside and teamwork. Advice was given on correct interpretation to achieve consistency and uniformity.
“We want to have high quality and uniformity in all our competitions,” says FIFA’s Head of Refereeing Massimo Busacca.
“We are looking forward to seeing all of the selected referees in the different tournaments — especially
of course the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand [27 referees from 26 different countries and 38 assistant referees from 26 countries will officiate at New Zealand 2015]. We will continue to support them with experienced instructors.”
Howard Webb will be one of those experienced instructors.
Webb, who took charge of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Final, retired after Brazil 2014 and has taken on the role of Technical Director for the organisation that oversees refereeing in England — the Professional Game Match Officials Limited.
“I am very happy with my new role after a wonderfully rewarding 25 years on the pitch. I have spent over a decade with the best seat in the house,” said Webb.
Massimo Busacca wanted to have Howard Webb in his FIFA referees instructors team.
“Howard was always a great example for every young referee. Today he is able to transmit his knowledge and experience to many referees in England and around the world in his new role.”
HOWARD WEBB IN ACTION DURING THE 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP BRAZIL™ PHOTO: Getty Images.
To find out about football in your area visit www.nzfootball.co.nz
Since 1977 the FIFA U-20 World Cup, or FIFA World Youth Championship as it was known until 2005, has played host to some of the most exciting talent in world football.
Diego Maradona, Marco Van Basten, Diego Forlan, Xavi, Raul, Kaka, Luis Figo, and Cesc Fabregas are just a few of the household names who have played in the tournament. Here are six more football superstars you might have heard of who have featured in previous FIFA World Youth Championships and FIFA U-20 World Cups.
MICHAEL OWEN
Malaysia 1997
Michael Owen was aged just 17 when he played for England in the FIFA U-20 World Cup (known at this point as the FIFA World Youth Championship) in Malaysia in 1997.
He made his professional debut for Liverpool that same year and in Malaysia he was part of an England team that won all of its group matches before being knocked out
in the Round of 16 against eventual winners Argentina.
“Argentina had an outstanding side,” says Owen. “I remember (Juan Román) Riquelme and (Pablo) Aimar being particularly impressive and everyone knows the kind of careers those guys went on to have. They were 2–0 up by half-time and although Jamie Carragher scored for us quite early in the second half, we came up just short and lost 2–1. But I have good memories of that tournament and it was no disgrace to lose so narrowly to such a talented side.”
Within eight months, Owen made his full international debut and, soon after, became the youngest player to score for England (a record that has since been beaten by Wayne Rooney).
At the World Championship in France in 1998, Owen was voted the tournament’s best young player and scored one of the great World Cup goals against Argentina.
“By the time I got to France, I felt totally prepared for it,” he says. “Obviously the scale of a senior World Cup is bigger and the attention is much greater than the U-20s, but I felt I had served my apprenticeship and that tournaments like that U-20s had left me well prepared for playing in the senior version. You learn so much at tournaments like these.”
RONALDINHO
Nigeria 1999
One of the great entertainers of the game, Brazilian star Ronaldinho played for his country at every international age level.
“Like a lot of Brazilians, I was born with a ball at my feet and grew up with it until turning professional at the age of 17,” he says. “After that, everything fell into place quite naturally. My whole life revolves around football. Give me a ball and I’m the happiest man alive.”
Ronaldinho helped Brazil to the country’s first ever win in the FIFA U-17 World Championship in Egypt in 1997. Two years later at the FIFA World Youth Championship in Nigeria, he scored three goals in five matches. Brazil were upset in the Quarter-Finals by Uruguay, but despite that disappointing defeat Ronaldinho has happy memories of the age level tournaments he played in.
“It’s not just that you are playing against the best when you are young, but that you learn to live together with teammates,” he says.
“It helps if you win of course but the experience and knowledge gained from picking things up from other footballers from all over the world does you no end of good. It gives you that extra confidence to go and succeed.”
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MICHAEL OWEN. PHOTO: Getty Images.
RONALDINHO IN ACTION FOR BRAZIL AGAINST ENGLAND AT WEMBLEY STADIUM IN FEBRUARY 2013. PHOTO: Getty Images.
STARS OF THE PAST
CONTINUED from Page 49
Ronaldinho signed with French club Paris Saint-Germain in 2001 at the age of 21 and went on to play for some of the biggest clubs in the world, including Barcelona and Milan.
He won almost every major honour in the game including the World Cup in 2002, the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005 and the Champions League in 2006.
LIONEL MESSI
Netherlands 2005
Born on 24 June, 1987 in Rosario, Argentina, Lionel Messi is widely considered the greatest player of his generation and one of the greatest of all time.
Messi signed for Barcelona in 2000 as a 13-year-old and moved to Spain. He was just 17 years, 10 months and seven days, when he became Barcelona’s youngest-ever goal scorer on 1 May 2005.
SERGIO AGÜERO
Canada 2007
A month later on 2 July 2005 Messi scored twice, once from the penalty spot, as Argentina beat Nigeria 2–1 to win the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
With the gold medal around his neck and clutching the adidas Golden Shoe in one hand and the adidas Golden Ball in the other, La Pulga (Spanish for ‘The Flea’) had announced himself on the world stage.
The pundits began to speak of the new Diego Maradona, who phoned the young star to wish him every success in his career.
“This is the happiest day of my football career so far,” said Messi the World-beater afterwards.
“All I’m thinking about is enjoying the moment. I’m thrilled at winning these individual awards but the success of the team is what really counts for me.”
Since then Messi has gone on to win countless individual awards including: four successive FIFA World Player of the Year / Ballon d’Or, six La Ligas and three UEFA Champions Leagues with Barcelona, an Olympic gold medal and a runners-up medal at the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014™ with Argentina.
At the 2007 tournament in Canada another Argentine player, Sergio Agüero, claimed the Golden Shoe and Golden Ball awards for the tournament’s top scorer and best player, matching the feats of Lionel Messi at Netherlands 2005.
“This day means everything to me. No doubt about it, it’s the happiest feeling in the world,” said Agüero, after his goal in the Final helped the Albicelestes successfully defend the title they won at Netherlands 2005.
Agüero was also part of the winning team in 2005 and joined an exclusive club of players who have won two FIFA U-20 World Cup titles.
Agüero’s adidas Golden Shoe came courtesy of his finishing the tournament as top scorer after netting twice against Panama, once against Korea DPR, twice against Poland and also in the Final against the Czechs.
Even more impressive was the quality of several of those strikes, although the player had no doubt which one meant the most:
“If I had to choose one, then it would have to be the goal in the Final. It may not have been that spectacular, but it came in a Final and it was fundamental to our winning the title.”
LIONEL MESSI CELEBRATES AFTER SCORING DURING THE 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP BRAZIL™ PHOTO: Getty Images.
ARGENTINA’S SERGIO AGÜERO. PHOTO: Getty Images
JAMES RODRÍGUEZ
Colombia 20 11
In front of his home crowd
James Rodríguez confirmed his reputation as one of the rising stars of the game with some impressive performances.
Colombia lost in the Quarter-Final against Mexico but not before Rodríguez, the team captain, showcased his dazzling array of attacking skills. He scored three goals and provided three assists during the tournament and attracted the attention of some of the biggest clubs in Europe.
In 2013 he moved from Porto to French side AS Monaco and he was one of the stars of the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014™, where he won the adidas Golden Boot as the tournament’s leading goal scorer.
Colombia’s No.10 made an instant impact at Brazil 2014, scoring in the last minute in their 3–0 win over Greece, earning the Man of the Match award in the process. He picked up the same accolade in the next match, a 2–1 win over Côte d’Ivoire, finding the target once more.
The Monaco man was at it again in the final group match against Japan, entering the fray as a second-half substitute, yet making
time to create two goals for Jackson Martínez and score himself.
Rodríguez then helped make history when he scored twice in the 2– 0 win over Uruguay, ensuring Colombia qualified for the Quarter-Finals of a FIFA World Cup for the first time.
His volley to open the scoring against Uruguay was described as “one of the greatest goals the World Cup has ever seen” by Uruguay manager Óscar Tabárez, who called Rodríguez “the best player in the World Cup”.
Colombia were knocked out by Brazil in the Quarter-Finals but it was a tournament to remember for Rodríguez who moved to Spanish giants Real Madrid a few weeks after the World Cup.
PAUL POGBA
Turkey 201 3
Much was expected of Paul Pogba prior to France’s FIFA U-20 World Cup Final victory over Uruguay, and the Juventus player certainly delivered.
His coach Pierre Mankowski had previously chided him for not fulfilling his potential, but the midfielder responded in style,
playing a key role in his side’s victory over Uruguay in the Final. After normal and extra time failed to produce a goal in the Final, a 4 –1 penalty shootout victory over Uruguay meant Pogba hoisted one of the most prestigious trophies in football. It was the first U-20 crown for France and it also meant they became the first nation to win all five FIFA tournaments in men’s 11-a-side international football.
Having performed adroitly throughout the tournament while proudly wearing the captain’s armband, Pogba put in an exceptional display in the most important match of his career and he was the worthy winner of the adidas Golden Ball award for Turkey 2013
The following year Pogba won the Young Player of the Year award at FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014™. The French midfielder was considered to be the pick of the players born after 1 January 1993. Pogba played in all five of Les Bleus’ matches, having an impact in the 5 –2 win over Switzerland by creating a goal for Karim Benzema and then scoring in the 2– 0 win over Nigeria, in which he was named as the Budweiser Man of the Match
JAMES RODRÍGUEZ, COLOMBIA PHOTO: Getty Images
PAUL POGBA (L) IN ACTION AGAINST PORTUGAL AT STADE DE FRANCE, PARIS ON 11 OCTOBER 2014. PHOTO: Getty Images
WHANGAREI
NORTHLAND EVENTS CENTRE
CAPACITY: 8,016
3x GROUP MATCHES
1x ROUND OF 16
HOST CITY STADIUMS
AUCKLAND
NORTH HARBOUR STADIUM
CAPACITY: 25,317
4x GROUP MATCHES
1x ROUND OF 16
1x QUARTER-FINAL
1x SEMI-FINAL
3 / 4 PLAYOFF
HAMILTON
WAIKATO STADIUM CAPACITY: 24,237
6x GROUP MATCHES
1x ROUND OF 16
1x QUARTER-FINAL
NEW PLYMOUTH
STADIUM TARANAKI CAPACITY: 18,709
5x GROUP MATCHES
1x ROUND OF 16
WELLINGTON
WELLINGTON REGIONAL STADIUM
CAPACITY: 35,187
6x GROUP MATCHES
2x ROUND OF 16
1x QUARTER-FINAL
AUCKLAND
HAMILTON
NEW PLYMOUTH
WELLINGTON
WHANGAREI
CHRISTCHURCH
DUNEDIN
CHRISTCHURCH
CHRISTCHURCH STADIUM
CAPACITY: 17,308
6x GROUP MATCHES
1x ROUND OF 16
1x QUARTER-FINAL
DUNEDIN
OTAGO STADIUM CAPACITY: 23,095
6x GROUP MATCHES
1x ROUND OF 16
FOOTBALL FOR HOPE
Football for Hope is our global commitment to building a better future through football. To date, we have supported over 450 responsible community projects that use football as a tool for social development, improving the lives and prospects of young people and their surrounding communities.
To find out more, visit the Sustainability section on FIFA.com
We are proud to support the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2015. New Zealand’s leading 5 star transport operator.
NEW ZEALAND 2015 HOST CITIES
New Zealand is a sports-loving island nation, known for its beauty, diversity of landscapes, epic adventures and warm, welcoming people.
Located about 1,600 kilometres (990 miles) south-east of Australia, the country is made up of two main islands — the North Island (Te Ika-a-Ma - ui) and South Island (Te Waipounamu) — and is roughly the size of Japan.
Few countries in the world can boast New Zealand’s range of natural features — from high peaks and glaciers to vast mountain ranges, lush rolling farmland, geothermal hotspots, white- and black-sand beaches and desert-like plains. From the sub-tropical far north to the deep south of the South Island — the final land mass before the ice shelves of Antarctica — each region has its own character and stories to tell.
New Zealanders are affectionately known as ‘Kiwis’, named after the small flightless bird that has become a
national symbol and the country itself has been named one of the most welcoming in the world.
A population of around 4.5 million makes the country refreshingly uncrowded and its cultural diversity creates a rich landscape to explore.
Ma - ori are the indigenous people of New Zealand, with a proud heritage that can be experienced throughout New Zealand. Other significant populations include Polynesians, Indians and Asians of many origins, along with Europeans, Scandinavians and the descendants of the original pioneers who came from the United Kingdom.
More information: newzealand.com
With a population of around 1.5 million, Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city, its financial and economic powerhouse and offers an unbeatable combination of stunning scenery and a vibrant city lifestyle.
Auckland is ranked the third most liveable city in the world on the global Mercer Quality of Living Survey and was rated one of the top 10 cities in the world to visit in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2014.
A mix of sporting, art and cultural events like Fashion Week, the ASB Classic and Heineken Open, ITU World Triathlon Series and the annual Pasifika, Lantern and Diwali festivals add to a lifestyle unrivalled the world over.
The city centre’s waterfront precincts, designer shopping, dining spots and galleries are surrounded by beautiful harbours, islands, wine regions and native rainforest. Visitors can be hiking through lush native bush, riding a horse along the beach or relaxing in rolling wine country in only 40 minutes. And with the harbour on the city’s doorstep, jet boating, sea kayaking, dolphin spotting, sailing, cruises and New Zealand’s only ocean-touch bungy jump are all at visitors’ fingertips.
Fittingly, New Zealand’s indigenous Ma - ori call this land Ta - maki Makaurau, ‘a maiden desired by 100 lovers’. As well as a rich Ma - ori culture, Auckland is also the largest Polynesian city in the world and a melting pot of cultures from every corner of the globe.
More information: aucklandnz.com
ALL PHOTOS WERE SUPPLIED BY TOURISM NEW ZEALAND
STADIUM NAME: CHRISTCHURCH STADIUM
Christchurch offers a chance to visit a city reimagining itself following the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, with world-class technology and innovation alongside history and heritage.
Explore Christchurch and Canterbury, where you’ll find it all at your fingertips — a vibrant and evolving city, the sparkling Pacific Ocean, the majestic Southern Alps and an ancient volcanic peninsula with hidden bays and charming rural settlements.
Urban regeneration and creativity flow through the city in new restaurants and bars featuring local beers, wines and produce, alongside street art designed and painted by talented resident artists.
Just a few hours’ drive from Christchurch, you’ll discover a vast region with an astounding variety of experiences. Kaikoura is a magical place where the mountains plunge into the ocean and whales, dolphins, seals and sea birds abound. Perhaps the Mackenzie Region is more your scene with big mountains, big skies and big adventure.
Don’t forget the charming French-inspired seaside village of Akaroa, only a picturesque 90-minute drive from Christchurch. Akaroa is perfect for a leisurely stroll, filled with tempting cafés, galleries, artisan gift shops, and enticing restaurants serving fresh local produce and seafood. Take in the natural beauty of the harbour aboard a sailboat, or perhaps get up close and personal with its marine life by swimming with the dolphins.
More information: christchurchnz.com
A visit to Dunedin will reveal a succession of surprises for the wealth of heritage, culture and activities runs deep in this small but quirky southern city.
An historic university town, Dunedin spreads within the arms of a sheltered harbour — the same stretch of waters that the city’s original Scottish founders first sailed up from the sea some 160 years ago.
Dunedin retains its essentially Scottish heritage both in traditional customs and architectural style which helps set it apart from other New Zealand cities.
The city centre is compact, making for an easy stroll around a central shopping area that is well populated with boutiques and kerbside cafés offering
real Kiwi hospitality and a wide range of food and beverages at reasonable prices.
A student town enriched with the heritage of its educational and cultural founders, Dunedin offers unexpected cultural delights, from the world’s southernmost professional theatre and orchestra to a significant art collection in the city art gallery and high quality local craft, art, jewellery and fashion design outlets.
The city’s dramatic landscape flows from steep hills down to a fringe of a dozen beaches. Dunedin’s scenic beauty provides the backdrop for many recreational activities — nature and bush walks, golf, surfing, harbour cruises, salmon fishing, horse riding and mountain-biking. Beyond the city limits, Dunedin enjoys the magnificent natural environment of the Otago Peninsula, inhabited by incredible wildlife.
More information: dunedinnz.com
From magnificent parks and gardens to a thriving cultural precinct, Hamilton offers a combination of fine dining and nightlife options as well as an eclectic mix of leisure, lifestyle and activity choices.
Hamilton is New Zealand’s largest inland city situated on the banks of the mighty Waikato River. With champion teams from various sporting codes hailing from the region such as the Chiefs and the Magic, passionate ‘sports-mad’ locals (both on and off the field), high performance organisations including NZ Rowing, Bike NZ, TriNZ and Canoe NZ basing themselves in the region as well as the new national velodrome, the area is fast becoming New Zealand’s sporting mecca.
STADIUM NAME WAIKATO STADIUM
During the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2015 tournament the Waikato Museum will feature a FIFA-themed exhibition — The Beautiful Game, The Wonderful World of Football.
The region is well-known for Middle-Earth movie magic, with Hobbiton™ Movie Set in nearby Matamata playing home to The Shire™ from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movie trilogies. Just a 45-minute drive from Hamilton, visitors can gain first-hand insights into the details that went into creating the set and the movies.
South of Hamilton lies one of New Zealand’s ‘must-visit’ destinations — Waitomo Caves. Other options if you’re into the outdoors include Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, a wildlife haven south of the city, or a bike ride along the Waikato River Trails.
More information: hamiltonwaikato.com
Taranaki offers visitors a unique blend of adventure, culture and urban sophistication, all with a stunning natural backdrop.
New Plymouth is the main city of the Taranaki region. With a landscape dominated by its mountain and coastline, it is one of the few cities in the world where you can ski and surf in the same morning. New Plymouth’s award-winning Coastal Walkway is positioned to take best advantage of both. It trails the coast for 13 kms to either edge of the city across the stunning Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, where you can see Mount Taranaki through its whale-bone-like structure, and offers access to some of New Zealand’s best surf spots.
At the region’s heart, both geographically and spiritually, stands picture-perfect Mount Taranaki, an icon for the
region. Beneath the mountain, the lush bush of Egmont National Park gives way to a vivid green landscape fringed with black-sand beaches and wild surf to the west and rugged hills hidden by dense bush to the east.
Between these geographic dividers to the rest of New Zealand sits a vibrant and thriving region. Taranaki boasts many major events from cultural festivals like WOMAD to huge concerts and international sporting events such as the world’s best female surfers in the annual ASP Dream Tour event.
The region is also the proud home of many renowned museums and art galleries, including Puke Ariki, the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and upcoming Len Lye Centre and Tawhiti Museum, widely regarded as New Zealand’s best private museum.
More information: taranaki.info
STADIUM NAME: STADIUM TARANAKI
STADIUM NAME: WELLINGTON REGIONAL STADIUM
Lonely Planet has referred to Wellington as the “coolest little capital in the world” and the city is home to a powerful mix of culture, nature, history and cuisine.
Wellington’s a place where having fun is easy. A compact central city means everything you need is within walking distance. Paddle on the harbour in the morning and mountain bike in the afternoon. Discover our stories at Te Papa museum, famous for its interactive exhibition designs.
Enjoy the street culture, boutique shopping and some of the best coffee in town on Cuba Street. Get a behind-the-scenes look at movie-making magic at the Weta Cave. Taste the flavours of the culinary capital at some of the country’s finest restaurants, cocktail lounges
and craft beer bars, and you’ll soon discover why Vogue described Wellington as “a locavore’s dream”.
Wellington is New Zealand’s home of football. With clubs dating back to the late 1800s and a traditionally diverse community bringing a variety of styles to our game, football is enjoyed by players and fans of all ages throughout the capital.
We’ve played host to some of New Zealand’s great football moments, including the visit of David Beckham’s LA Galaxy, and the historic 1– 0 win over Bahrain that sent the national side, the All Whites, to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ finals. Wellington is also home to New Zealand’s only professional football franchise, Wellington Phoenix FC, which competes in the Australian A-League.
More information: wellingtonnz.com
Whangarei is New Zealand’s northern-most city and boasts a subtropical climate with warm summers, mild winters and beautiful beaches while the surrounding region is a holiday paradise.
The waters of the Whangarei Harbour lap into the Town Basin Marina, a haven for international yachties, uniquely positioned in the heart of the city. Enjoy restaurants and cafés, specialty shops, art and museums along with the 4.2 km loop walkway which includes a Sculpture and Heritage Trail.
From Whangarei you can explore outstanding coastal areas including the Tutukaka Coast while enjoying waterbased activities such as surfing, swimming and kayaking. Offshore, the Poor Knights Islands sit in the
pristine waters of a marine reserve that offers world-class scuba diving and snorkelling.
The beautiful Bay of Islands on the eastern coast — a one-hour drive from Whangarei — is a world famous aquatic playground with sheltered waters, many offshore islands, and a favourite holiday destination for boating, fishing, wildlife-spotting and swimming enthusiasts. Some of New Zealand’s most famous icons and historic sites are found in Northland and a visit here would not be complete without some understanding of the history and heritage of this nation. On the mainland shores of the Bay of Islands, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds are recognised as the birthplace of modern New Zealand. Learn about the rich cultural heritage of this land and gain an insight into the coming together of two peoples at Waitangi, where Ma - ori and European joined in signing the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.
More information: whangareinz.com and northlandnz.com
AUTOGRAPHS
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