Football: Kiwis avoid Cup heavyweights

Host Stephen Mcivor (R) talks with former soccer players (L-R) Danny Hay, Steve Sumner, Wynton Rufer and Ivan Vicelich during the official draw for the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Photo / Dean Purcell.

It wasn't quite a dream World Cup draw for the New Zealand Under-20 football side, but it was pretty close.

New Zealand were grouped with Ukraine, USA and Myanmar in a glitzy ceremony at Sky City's Convention centre last night, and the hosts will fancy their chances of progressing through the group stages when the tournament kicks off in May.

New Zealand were seeded into group play along with Mexico, Argentina, Qatar, Germany and the yet to be known African champions, and managed to avoid footballing heavyweights Argentina, Colombia and Brazil.

New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley was thrilled with the outcome of the draw and is now looking forward to studying his opposition.

"Is it possible to progress from this group? yes of course it's possible," said Bazeley. "Is it going to be hard, yes, but I believe we are good enough to make this happen.

"It would've been nice to play the big countries like Brazil and Argentina but I think realistically we want to do as well as we can in the tournament. And this draw is great. Who's to say that the best player in the tournament isn't from Myanmar or the Ukraine anyway?"

The tournament opener will pit New Zealand against Ukraine in Auckland on May 30, before 52 matches take place across seven cities over three weeks.

The tournament is expected to reach 170 million television viewers across 100 countries and Fifa are hoping for 500,000 fans to pass through the gates over the course of the tournament.

Group D looks to be the toughest with Concacaf champions Mexico, perennial South American powerhouses Uruguay, Serbia and the second ranked African side.

The African qualification tournament starts next month and the draw will be completed on March 22 following the tournament.

Ukraine were one of six teams to qualify through Europe while Myanmar emerged as the surprise package of the Asian qualifiers and the USA are making their 13th appearance in the finals of the U-20 World Cup competition.

"At the moment I still don't think the country knows what's coming," said Bazeley. "It's going to be a massive event. Once we get past the Cricket World Cup I think it will capture the nation's imagination."

Local Organising Committee ceo David Beeche said he was most excited about some big teams heading to some of New Zealand's smaller regions.

"Look at Brazil going to New Plymouth for two games and then to Christchurch. That's an ideal scenario for us. That is one of the gems of the draw. Then you look at Hamilton who have Qatar, Colombia and Portugal and a CAF side."