OFC Womens World Cup qualifying venue and draw confirmed

The Belconnen Soccer Centre in Canberra, Australia will host the qualifying for Oceania's womens world cup place for China later in the year.

The tornament runs from April 5 to 13 and the overwhelming favourites are the host nation Australia with New Zealand hot on their trail. Because of this status both nations were seeded one and two for the draw which saw one group of four and one group of three for the seven team tornament.

Australia drew Samoa, Cook Islands and dark horses Fiji, a side that has always looked to be the third best nation in OFC football, despite the rankings possibly showing otherwise. Not surprisingly the match between the two nations is the main match for the opening night of the qualifying.

New Zealand were given the three teamed group with Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu their opponents. New Zealand are expected to top the group easily with the opening pool B game between PNG and Vanuatu possibly being an important decider as to who will face the Pool A winner.



posted 11 March 2003

Please send email to davdster@chek.com if you have any questions.