Weather adds challenge for new boys

Myanmar football players Yan Naing Oo (left), Nan Wai Min, Wai Lin Aung, Kyaw Min Oo and Than Paing will be keeping their warm jackets close by while in Whangarei. Photo / John Stone

The Myanmar football team have just five days to get used to one of their biggest challenges - the cold Northland weather.

They are hoping they can adapt before their inaugural Fifa Under-20 Football World Cup match in Whangarei.

Their first game, against USA on Saturday, will be in temperatures 20 degrees below their home country's current conditions.

"I hope the cold weather we can get used to," Myanmar Football Federation director Soe Moe Kyaw said. "This is a problem for us."

Back in Myanmar the average temperatures are in the mid-30Cs, though humidity during the current monsoon season often makes it feel even warmer.

The first training in Whangarei yesterday, after arriving at 9pm on Sunday, was a shock. They were greeted with a temperature of about 13C, not to mention a 40-knot southerly.

They were hoping the weather would improve before Saturday.

"Of course, this is the very first time for us," he said. "We want to try more for our country and for them to be happy."

The team were aware the matches would be tough in their first appearance in the U-20 world cup, as their players were comparatively small, but they remained positive, Mr Kyaw said. "We will try our best."

In Myanmar, football was the first, second and third most popular sport, Mr Kyaw said. Fifa U-20 competition co-ordinator Eric Wu said it was a great opportunity to show off Whangarei on an international stage.

"As long as Saturday is good weather, hopefully people get around to the games and get amongst the action," he said.

Whangarei District Council economic development manager Pete Gleeson said the games in Whangarei could be broadcast to millions across the world.

Fifa U-20 regional events and marketing manager Mel Miller said the 8000 seats at Toll Stadium were about half sold ahead of the three pool matches. About three-quarters were sold ahead of the round of 16 game on June 11.

The USA team were expected to arrive this morning, while the other teams - Ukraine, Fiji and Uzbekistan - would arrive a couple of days before their matches.

According to MetService, rain would continue on-and-off until Saturday, with a high of 18C expected for the big game.