New Zealand coach Leon Birnie says his side has prepared well for Thursday’s opening game at the OFC U-19 Women’s Championship but the hot conditions in Fiji will test his players.
“It’s going to be a big challenge for the girls — all we can do is go out and perform the best we can and see how that transpires on the day,” Birnie told OFC Media ahead of the match against hosts Fiji.
“Preparation has been good. I’m really happy with the squad that we’ve brought over.
“Training’s been good and we’ve been well looked after.”
The national U-19 women’s team play hosts Fiji in their first group game at the OFC U-19 Women’s Championship which is being held from June 21 till July 8.
Winning the tournament provides automatic qualification to the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup which will be expanded from 16 to 24 teams next year.
Watch Leon Birnie’s interview
STREAM: How to watch all 20 games at the OFC U-19 Women’s Championship >>>>
New Zealand have named an 18-player squad for the tournament.
New Zealand squad
Zoe Benson Eastern Suburbs, New Zealand
Kiara Bercelli U.C. Sampdoria, Italy
Danielle Canham Auckland United, New Zealand
Lara Colpi Western Springs, New Zealand
Alexis Cook Auckland United, New Zealand
Aimee Danieli Wellington Phoenix Academy, New Zealand
Charlotte Eagle Wellington Phoenix Academy, New Zealand
Manaia Elliott Wellington Phoenix Academy, New Zealand
Helena Errington Wellington Phoenix Academy, New Zealand
Marie Green Wellington Phoenix Academy, New Zealand
Suya Haering Auckland United, New Zealand
Ella McCann Wellington Phoenix Academy, New Zealand
Zoe McMeeken Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Ella McMillan Wellington Phoenix Academy, New Zealand
Charlotte Mortlock Cashmere Technical, New Zealand
Ruby Nathan Auckland United, New Zealand
Emma Pijnenburg Feyenoord Beloften Vrouwen, Netherlands
Rebekah Trewhitt Wellington Phoenix Academy, New Zealand
Fixtures
Game to be played on Thursday June 22, 2023
New Zealand v Fiji
HFC Stadium, Suva, 4pm (NZT)
Game to be played on Sunday June 25, 2023
New Zealand v Papua New Guinea
HFC Stadium, Suva, 4pm (NZT)
Results
Games played on Wednesday June 21, 2023
Group A
New Caledonia 1 (Adran Pawawi 56′)
Samoa 0
Vanuatu 5 (Elina Aruvuha 11′, 14′, Angelina Poida 34′, Rebina Woka 45+2′, Onica Kaltak ’67)
Samoa 0
Standings
Group A
Group B
Group C
Fixtures
Games to be played on Thursday June 22, 2023
New Zealand v Fiji
HFC Stadium, Suva, 4pm (NZT)
Click here for live stream >>>>
Tahiti v Solomon Islands
HFC Stadium, Suva, 7pm (NZT
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Games to be played on Saturday June 24, 2023
New Caledonia v Vanuatu
Churchill Park, Lautoka, 12pm (NZT)
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Tonga v Samo
Churchill Park, Lautoka, 3pm (NZT)
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Games to be played on Sunday June 25, 2023
New Zealand v Papua New Guinea
HFC Stadium, Suva, 4pm (NZT)
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Tahiti v Cook Islands
HFC Stadium, Suva, 7pm (NZT
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Games to be played on Tuesday June 27, 2023
Tonga v New Caledonia
Churchill Park, Lautoka, 12pm (NZT)
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Samoa v Vanuatu
Churchill Park, Lautoka, 3pm (NZT)
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Games to be played on Wednesday June 28, 2023
Fiji v Papua New Guinea
HFC Stadium, Suva, 4pm (NZT)
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Solomon Islands v Cook Islands
HFC Stadium, Suva, 7pm (NZT
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Quarter-finals
Games to be played on Saturday July 1, 2023
Quarter-final 1 (Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up)
HFC Stadium, Suva, 3pm (NZT)
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Quarter-final 2 (Group B Winner v Group C Runner-up)
HFC Stadium, Suva, 7pm (NZT)
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Games to be played on Sunday July 2, 2023
Quarter-final 3 (Group C Winner v Group A/C Runner-up)
HFC Stadium, Suva, 3pm (NZT)
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Quarter-final 4 (Group A Runner-up v Group B/C Runner-up)
HFC Stadium, Suva, 7pm (NZT)
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Semi-finals
Games to be played on Wednesday July 5, 2023
Semi-final 1 (Winner Quarter-Final 1 v Winner Quarter-Final 2)
HFC Stadium, Suva, 3pm (NZT)
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Semi-final 2 (Winner Quarter-Final 3 v Winner Quarter-Final 4)
HFC Stadium, Suva, 7pm (NZT)
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Finals
Games to be played on Saturday July 8, 2023
Play-off for third place
HFC Stadium, Suva, 3pm (NZT)
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Final
HFC Stadium, Suva, 7pm (NZT)
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