Soccer: Youngster off to see World Cup opener

Cameron White, a 10-year-old West Auckland soccer fanatic, has won a nationwide draw enabling him to attend the opening game of the World Cup between France and Senegal in Seoul.

He will be accompanied by his father, Adrian, who coaches Cameron's Waitakere City under-10 team.

On registering to play soccer this winter, all players between 6 and 10 became eligible for the draw.

White, big on scoring goals for his Waitakere City under-10 team but short on words, said Manchester United were his favourite team and David Beckham - no surprise - his favourite player.

He said he had had a quick look at the map to see where Seoul was when he was told he was one of eight finalists in the Fifa/McDonald's-sponsored player escort programme.

White was drawn as his club's representative and then beat players from 52 other clubs in the United One federation to reach the national draw.

"Cameron is really lucky," his father said. "It will be a big trip for him - and me."

Only one parent gets the chance to travel, and Cameron's mother, Carleen, will stay home with his 8-year-old sister, Stephanie.

"It's a boy's thing, really," Carleen White said.

"If I went I would want to go shopping, but they will love the football."

Twenty-two youngsters from around the world will walk on to the pitch at the Seoul World Cup Stadium alongside the 22 players who will kick off the month-long championship.

They will be watched by a capacity crowd and billions on television.