Major boost for Ferns

THE Football Ferns could have an unprecedented buildup for next year Women’s World Cup, after confirmation they will compete in the inaugural Cup of Nations in Australia next year.

The New Zealand side already has a preWorld Cup fixture against the United States locked in for 2019 and the tournament across the Tasman will offer three more highly competitive fixtures.

The Ferns will take on Australia, Argentina and Korea Republic from February 28 to March 6, in three matches spread across three cities and seven days.

Ferns coach Tom Sermanni sees the event as ideal preparation for the World Cup in France, where the side will face Canada, the Netherlands and Cameroon.

‘‘We are really looking forward to this tournament,’’ Sermanni said.

‘‘To be able to play three worldclass sides over seven days in three different locations will be great preparation for what we will face in France at the World Cup.

‘‘We only have six months until the tournament begins so to have secured quality opposition, along with playing the USA in May, we are happy with our buildup to the tournament.’’

World No 6 Australia will go into the Cup of Nations as favourite, ahead of the Korea

Republic (World No 14), New Zealand (19) and Argentina (36).

The sixmatch tournament will kick off at Jubilee Stadium in Kogarah on Thursday, February 28, when Argentina plays Korea Republic, followed by the Matildas against the Football Ferns.

The New Zealand match will take on extra significance as 2019 marks 40 years since the Matildas played their first ‘‘A’’ international, which was against the Football Ferns, at Sutherland in 1979.

Three days later, New Zealand plays Argentina in Brisbane, before Australia takes on Korea Republic in their second match of the tournament.

In the final round, in Melbourne, the Ferns play Korea Republic, followed by Australia against Argentina. — NZME