Wellington Marist, Halswell United, Eastern Suburbs and Three Kings United have all been handed home advantage in today’s quarterfinal draw for the Women’s Knockout Cup.

A mixture of youthful experience and exciting new faces characterises the Junior Football Ferns squad named today for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Germany from July 13 to August 1.

Nine-time Women’s Knockout Cup champions Lynn Avon United will not add a tenth title this season after the defending champions were ousted 2-1 by Three Kings United on Sunday.

New Zealand referee Mike Hester’s FIFA World Cup adventure will continue into the knockout stages after being appointed as fourth official to today’s Round of 16 clash between USA and Ghana.

All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen paid a heartfelt tribute to the way the New Zealand public had got behind the team and said he felt “gutted” to not be able to pay them back with a place in FIFA World Cup Round of 16.