FIFA U17 Women World Cup: New Zealand Targets Second Round Ticket At The Expense of Flamingoes

The head coach of the New Zealand U17 Women's team Ferns, Leon Birnie has underlined their objective going into the World Cup in India, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The coach released the final list on Thursday and the team are on their way to India to continue its readiness for the tournament.

"We’re pleased with the squad we’ve assembled for this World Cup,” says Birnie.

“This is a talented squad with good depth across all positions, and we’re excited to see them make their mark on the world stage.”

“Our purpose with this age group is to develop players and enable them to get experience against some of the best in the world in their age group,” he says. “This will help them to develop so that in future they can make that step up to the U-20s and Ford Football Ferns.

“The second goal, that the players have identified for themselves, is to get out of the group and be the second ever New Zealand team to progress beyond the group stage at this tournament", the Federation media stated.

They will face Nigeria's Flamingoes in the second group game on October 14th at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.