(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Kiwi football fans showed up in force on the opening weekend of the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2015, with over 71,000 fans pouring into the seven stadiums across the country to witness a record number of goals and sensational footballing talent.
A sell-out opening match between New Zealand and Ukraine at North Harbour Stadium, which saw the hosts grab a point, set the tone for a fantastic opening weekend of matches.
Whangarei's Northland Events Centre was over 70 percent sold for its first match between USA and Myanmar, Hamilton hit double figures with over 10,000 turning out to see a sensational double-header while in New Plymouth almost 2,000 fans turned up on the day swelling numbers to nearly 9,000 for arguably the best match of the tournament to date between Brazil and Nigeria.
The fans support was well rewarded with 44 goals scored in the opening weekend and a record number, 28, in one day on Queen's Birthday Monday.
Local Organising Committee CEO Dave Beeche was delighted with the first weekend of action and applauded fans for their passion and enthusiasm at each venue.
"We said we wanted to fill the stadiums with all the noise, colour and passion associated with world football and we certainly saw this all over the country," Beeche said.
"We had Colombians partying in Hamilton, Nigerians drumming their support in New Plymouth, Argentinians dancing in the stands in Wellington and Ukrainians singing their national songs in Auckland. It was a fantastic spectacle and a great advertisement for the game."
Beeche was also confident that the second round of matches would continue to pull the crowds.
"It's always going to be a little more challenging to sell midweek matches but we already have some good early sales at a number of venues across the country," he said.
"Obviously the New Zealand match will draw another good crowd this
evening at North Harbour and fans will clearly not want to miss two former champions, Ghana and Argentina, going head-to-head in Wellington tonight.
"We're confident that after a weekend of sensational football, sports fans will now be more engaged than ever and will want to ensure that they are there to see the sublime skill which is on display."
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