The Fijians will take on Mexico this afternoon, Friday 15 May, before playing Colombia on Monday 18 May.
The matches will be two real tests for Frank Farina’s side, who have been in camp for some time, as they get ready to kick off their campaign against Germany in Christchurch on 1 June.
“The preparations have been quite long, but good,” the former Socceroos and Sydney FC coach says.
“We’ve just had five to six weeks in camp coming off the back of the Malaysia and Myanmar tour so all the preparations have been as good as they can be.”
Now they’re looking down the barrel of two good quality games, and Farina remains optimistic about how those will play out.
“It’s a gradual progression for the players and this is a completely new level of football that they’re going to at the world cup.
“I think they’ve prepared as best they can and it will be difficult, but we realise that and it’s great experience for these young players,” Farina says.
“We’ll see how they’re going to handle it and the good thing is that we’ve got a good test in Sydney against Mexico and Colombia and that will show them, and show me, where they’re standing at the moment.”
While Fiji will be making their debut in New Zealand, for today’s opponents Mexico it will be their 14th appearance at an U-20 event, with their best result the runners-up medal in 1977.
They finished top of Group B at the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship before going on to beat Panama 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out after finishing additional extra-time at 1-1.
Colombia are another side with an impressive history at youth level, having appeared in eight previous tournaments with a third in 2003 their best finish.
They qualified for New Zealand 2015 after finishing runners-up at the CONMEBOL U-20 Championship in Uruguay.
Fiji were farewelled on Monday by Fiji President Ratu Epei Nailatikau who wished the side well as they go off to represent the nation.
“You are the chosen lot of men who had your trials by fire and are now on the verge of international representation,” he said.
“You have pledged to the President and the people of Fiji that you are prepared to undertake this Herculean task that you have been given. Do the business on the field and make sure you enjoy yourselves with the tasks ahead.
“I’m sure you have prepared for this historic event and will make the country proud. I farewell you with the blessings of the vanua and the people of Fiji.”
For more on the FIFA U-20 World Cup visit FIFA.com

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