World Cup draw: Five key questions

Senior FIFA delegates Rhiannon Martin and Colin Smith (C) with former soccer players Danny Hay, Steve Sumner, Wynton Rufer and Ivan Vicelich during the official draw. Photo / Dean Purcell.

New Zealand Herald football writer Michael Burgess analyses the major talking points from the Under-20 World Cup draw in Auckland last night.

1. How tough is New Zealand's draw?

Ukraine, USA and Myanmar won't be easy but it could have been a lot worse. They could have drawn Portugal or Austria among the Europeans and avoiding a South American team is a huge bonus. They've also managed to miss an African side, who are often very good at this level.

The Junior All Whites can't afford to underestimate Myanmar but on paper they are the weakest of the four Asian sides. Ukraine is a tough opening match on May 30 - the Ukrainians knocked England out of qualifying - and the USA have a great tradition at this level, having featured in the Under-20 World Cup on 12 previous occasions.

2. Which pool looks like the group of death?

Undoubtedly Group D, where there are no weak teams. Dunedin (and one game in Hamilton) will host a spectacular group with the North American champions Mexico, South American giants Uruguay, former Under-20 champions Serbia and an African nation. Mexico, who finished third in 2011, will be favoured to progress but the group will be a lottery.

Others to mention are Group C and E. Group C, based in Hamilton, features Portugal, Colombia, Qatar (who qualified top from Asia) and one of the four African qualifiers. New Plymouth has also hit the jackpot, hosting Group E which features Brazil, North Korea, Hungary and the African champions.

3. What are the matches to look for in the opening round?

The first three days of the tournament has some absolute beauties. New Zealand vs Ukraine and the USA vs Mynamar make for an intruiging first day double header while Qatar taking on Colombia the following day is a great start for Waikato Stadium. And on Monday 1st June the African champions take on Brazil at Stadium Taranaki.

4. What are some of the potential heavyweights clashes later in the tournament?

In a repeat of the 2014 World Cup final, Germany could play Argentina in the quarter final in Christchurch if both teams finish top of their respective groups and then get past their second round opponents. Brazil taking on Colombia (in Hamilton) in the last eight is another potential blockbuster match.

5. What will happen to Fiji against Germany?

It should be a great occasion - with a big build up - but could get ugly once the whistle blows. Some other major nations can stumble or start slowly at tournaments but Germany is a renowned tournament team. They always arrive ready to play, with superb tactics, strategy and conditioning. And their coach is particularly happy with the draw - immediately after the draw he offered to go to Fiji "for a few weeks" to learn about their football.