Football: Ferns vs Brazil match 'fantastic' for Taupo

FILE

While most Brazilian football fans will be focused on the Fifa World Cup, the Brazilian women's team will entertain fans in Taupo.

Brazil will play a match against the Football Ferns at Owen Delaney Park in Taupo on Thursday, June 19 at 6.30pm.

Brazil are playing two matches against the Football Ferns in Auckland and in Taupo this month as part of a New Zealand tour.

The tour will mark the first time the Football Ferns have played in New Zealand since June 2012. They have since played 27 games away from home.

Taupo mayor David Trewavas said it was fantastic another international sporting event had been secured for Taupo, following the success of the women's hockey internationals earlier this year.

"Having women's football of this calibre here just shows how high our district rates as an event host," he said.

"We are a strong football location, as exemplified by us being the host of the McCartney Tournament every year, which is the largest football tournament in New Zealand."

The Football Ferns were narrowly defeated by world number three team Japan in Osaka in May. They are currently ranked 20th in the world while Brazil are sixth in the world.

Ferns coach Tony Readings said confirming Brazil for a home tour was a big deal for the country.

"It's exciting that we've been able to secure Brazil for this series and it shows how far we've come in the last few years that we're now able to attract the top teams in the world," Readings said. "We don't often get to play at home and to be doing so against a nation such as Brazil ... it's going to be a real treat for our fans."

Tickets will be available at the gate on the night for the Taupo match and cost $10 for adults and $5 for children 16 and under.