The New Zealand women's football team's preparation for next year's World Cup has received a further boost.
Football Ferns coach Tom Sermanni. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
New Zealand Football confirmed on Tuesday the Football Ferns will be part of the inaugural Cup of Nations in Australia ahead of the global tournament in France.
Joining world No 6 hosts Australia and 19th-ranked New Zealand in the competition to be played in late February and early March will be world No 14 South Korea and 36th-ranked Argentina.
The announcement of the three matches for the Ferns comes after last week's confirmation they will play three-time world champions the USA in Missouri in May, less than a month before the World Cup begins.
The four-nation tournament will comprise of three double-header match days across three states and cities over seven days.
Football Ferns head coach Tom Sermanni felt the competition would be ideal preparation for his side for the World Cup, where they will meet Canada, the Netherlands and Cameroon in three different cities.
"To be able to play three world-class sides over seven days in three different locations will be great preparation for what we will face in France at the World Cup," said Sermanni, who is a former coach of the Australian women's side.
"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 build-up to the tournament."
The six-match tournament will kick-off at Jubilee Stadium in Sydney on February 28, when New Zealand and Australia will meet for the first time since they played two friendlies in June, 2016.
The 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, New South Wales in 1979.
The other matches will be played in Brisbane on March 3, where New Zealand will play Argentina, and Melbourne on March 6, where the Ferns will face South Korea.
CUP OF NATIONS (NZ times)
Thursday, February 28, Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah (Sydney), New South Wales
Argentina v Korea Republic, 6.35pm
Australia v New Zealand, 9.30pm
Sunday, March 3, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Queensland
Argentina v New Zealand, 6.05pm
Australia v Korea Republic, 9pm
Wednesday, March 6, AAMI Park, Melbourne, Victoria
Korea Republic v New Zealand, 5.05pm
Australia v Argentina, 8pm
