American-Born School Teacher To Officiate Game Between Nigeria And Sweden

New Zealand referee Matt Conger will officiate the meeting between Nigeria U23s and their Swedish counterparts at the Arena da Amazônia on Sunday night.

Born in Plano, Texas 37 years ago, Conger is teacher at Kairanga School, and has refereed games at the Fifa U20 World Cup, Club World Cup, Indian Super League and A-League.

Other competitions the Fifa-licensed referee has been given assignments include WC Qualifiers Oceania, OFC Champions League, OFC Nations Cup and NZ Football Championship.

Matt Conger is prolific in issuing yellow cards, averaging four per game in the matches he has officiated to date.

He will not have problems communicating with the Nigerian and Swedish players as he is very fluent in English.

Conger is head of PE at Kairanga School and teaches Year 6,7 and 8 Mathematics.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

kairanga.school.nz