Ninety students from Poolburn and Omakau Schools travelled to Dunedin to watch Argentina play South Africa in the FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC) 2023 on Friday July 28. 

Omakau principal Adelle Banks said it was wonderful that New Zealand has been able to host such a huge international tournament.

“The opportunity for our [40] students to be able to attend a game, to see wonderful sporting role models from different countries and see first hand the values of determination, teamwork and sportsmanship has been incredible.

“Even going to the stadium is an experience many of them have never had before. Something they will always remember.”

Omakau students said “it was a long ride but definitely worth it”, “the atmosphere in the stadium was great”, and that “when Argentina started scoring goals and made a comeback was so exciting”.

Another student added that having the world cup [held here] made them more excited about playing the game.

Poolburn School principal Melissa Gare in a social media post said it was an amazing, action packed and nail biting match. 

“I’m still smiling [at] how awesome [the day] was.”

Read FIFA's story about the school’s adventure to the game here.

Poolburn students show their support for Argentina. PHOTO: Supplied 

The schools were grateful to receive funding from Southern Football to cover the costs of the transport to and from the game, and also thanked the parents who accompanied the groups.

The game was a two-all draw, meaning both Argentina and South Africa finished at tied bottom of Pool G with one point a piece from the round robin play, missing out on the next round. Sweden finished at the top of pool G (six points) and Italy came second (three points).  

The knockout fixtures take place from August 5 - August 20.

The final FIFA WWC game in Dunedin (Ōtepoti) is Vietnam versus Netherlands today (August 1) at 7pm. 

There have been five other group matches held during the tournament in the only covered stadium in the Southern hemisphere. 

New Zealand fans were disappointed the Football Ferns did not qualify for the knock out, drawing nil all against Switzerland on Sunday night in Dunedin. 

The FIFA WWC 2023 runs from July 20 to August 20, 2023, with a total of 64 matches being held over 32 days in ten venues.

This is the ninth edition of the tournament with only four nations having lifted the trophy since 1991 and the first to be hosted across two nations.

Inside the stadium for Friday’s midday game. PHOTO: Omakau School