Hester gets Junior World Cup Semi-final

Michael Hester has broken new ground for New Zealand referees with an appointment to a semi-final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria.

Hester, along with his assistants Jan Hintz (New Zealand) and Tevita Makasina (Tonga), will officiate the match between Switzerland and Colombia on Saturday morning (NZT) in Lagos.

It marks the first time a kiwi official has refereed a fixture in the last four at a FIFA World Cup, although New Zealanders match officials have been involved in age-group finals in other roles.

Ken Wallace, now NZF Referee Development Manager, was fourth official at the 1987 FIFA U17 World Cup final in Canada, while Bruce Grimshaw (fourth official) and Paul Smith (assistant referee) were officials at the final of 1999 edition of the U-17 tournament in New Zealand.

After referring three pool games and a second round match, the semi-final appointment is a boost to Hester’s chances of refereeing at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Hester and Waikato-based Peter O’Leary are both on a FIFA shortlist of 38 referees vying for selection to next year’s World Cup.

Defending champions Nigeria, who knocked New Zealand out of the tournament, play Spain in the other semi-final.