Burma was drawn into Group A for the Under-20 World Cup football competition this summer, alongside hosts New Zealand, Ukraine and the United States.

The Burmese, who qualified dramatically by beating the United Arab Emirates 1-0 on 17 October, are faced with an exciting first game against the USA, which will take place on the opening day of the tournament – 30 May – in the remote town of Whangarei on the North Island.

Expectations will be high for the Burmese youngsters in the first World Cup tournament that the country has qualified for since 1972.

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Burma, officially known as Myanmar, is scheduled to play its second match against Ukraine on 2 June, again in Whangarei, before tackling the Haka-dancing home favourites, New Zealand, in what is sure to be a packed Wellington stadium on 5 June.

Other Asian hopefuls North Korea will face Brazil among its opponents, while Uzbekistan must confront Germany.