NEWS RELEASE
22 October 2008

FIFA U17 teams to get full-on Welli welcome

Brazil, England, Korea Republic and Nigeria are the four teams that’ll be based in Wellington during the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup – and next Tuesday 28 October they’ll get a full-on official welcome to the Capital.

Local fans of the beautiful game are encouraged to gather under the sails on Queens Wharf at 5pm on Tuesday 28 October to cheer the four top-ranked sides.

“It’ll be tremendous if a great crowd of football fans turn out to make the players feel at home,” says Wellington’s Deputy Mayor, Ian McKinnon, who’ll lead the official welcome.

Councillor McKinnon says Wellington will be honoured to host the sides – and he’s hoping there’ll also be a big crowd when Wellington’s first tournament match – Brazil vs England – is played at the Westpac Stadium at 12 noon on Thursday 30 October.

“We are all aware of the legendary history of rivalry between these two great footballing nations so it’s a pleasure to have the teams in town, along with Nigeria and Korea Republic.”

Sixteen teams – including a New Zealand side – are to take part in the first-ever U17 Women’s World Cup. FIFA estimates more than 100 million people around the world will watch the fully-televised event

Matches in Wellington:
• Thurs 30 October – 12 noon Brazil vs England; 3pm Korea Republic vs Nigeria
• Sun 2 November – 1pm Nigeria vs England; 4pm Brazil vs Korea Republic
• Tues 4 November – 4pm Ghana vs Costa Rica; 7pm New Zealand vs Colombia
• Sat 8 November – 1pm quarter-final 1; 4pm quarter-final 2.

For tickets visit www.fifa.com/newzealand2008

ENDS

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