Ukraine, first to arrive at FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand
Lagos – Ukraine became the first team to arrive at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand.
They were welcomed not only with a taste of home, but by a traditional Kiwi welcome.
According to a FIFA online portal, the team’s on arrival at Auckland International Airport, Coach Oleksandr Petrakov and his team were treated to a performance from Tainui’s Haka Legend group.
It said that they also received a rousing reception from members of the local Ukrainian community, clad in the nation’s traditional blue and yellow colours, who sang the country’s national anthem.
The statement said they presented the team with a traditional gift of sourdough bread and salt.
Ukraine, of course, have the distinction of taking on the hosts in the tournament’s opening match at 1pm (GMT) on May 30.
The portal said that similar scenes would await each of the 22 other teams jetting into New Zealand for the U-20 showpiece over the coming days.
It noted that the Kiwi hopeful would be officially welcomed to the tournament at Auckland’s Aotea Square on May 26.
The portal also said that in welcoming Ukraine to the city, Martin Fairweather of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development Ltd., spoke of the diversity that the tournament was helping to showcase.
“In spite of being a long way from home, the Ukrainian expat community is rallying its support, and we look forward to some spectacular football,” it quotes Fairweather as saying.
It said that each competing nations would receive their own official welcome upon landing at the venue at which they would be based during the group stage.
The portal noted that with Auckland having taken centre stage on May 20, Wellington and Dunedin would be the next of the seven host cities in the spotlight on May 25.
The competition will run from May 30 to June 20. (NAN)
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Categories: Sports
