VSP stages first ever FIFA international match
Valentine Sports Park hosted its first ever FIFA international match, albeit a friendly in front of over 150 spectators, since its redevelopment as Fiji took on Mexico in an U-20s trial match as part of their preparations for the 2015 U-20s FIFA World Cup to be held in New Zealand.
It was a landmark day for Football NSW’s new facility as the hosting of this clash came a week after the Westfield Matildas also held its World Cup preparations at Valentine Sports Park as part of their training schedule for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.
The Fijian squad led by a familiar face known to many Australians is former Socceroos boss Frank Farina has been busily preparing his troops for the 2015 U-20s World Cup.
The match ended in the Mexicans favour 3-0 thanks to goals from Guillermo Ayala Martinez, captain Alfonso Guzman and a penalty from Alberto Diego Garcia, as the CONCACAF U-20 champions have been hotly tipped to progress to the latter stages of the tournament boosting a number of high quality players.
It will be a memorable moment for the country of Fiji as their proud U-20s squad will be the first ever team to represent the nation at any FIFA World Cup in its football history.
The Fijians have been busily preparing for their first World Cup match against powerhouse nation Germany on the 1st of June in Christchurch during their week-long stay at Football NSW’s headquarters.
South American giants Colombia will be the next nation Fiji will face in their second friendly match at Valentine Sports Park on Monday 18th of May (3pm) with tickets still available and are able to be purchased here (Fiji v Colombia Ticket Purchase)
Asian Champions League and Chinese super club Guanghzhou Evergrande also graced the football pitches at Glenwood as they used the venue as a training site prior to their round 1 Asian Champions League clash against the Western Sydney Wanderers as did Japanese J-League giants Kashima Antlers.
