I hear Mata has had a 2 game suspension confirmed for his little indiscretion at the end of the qualifying final.
Misses first 2 group games in Poland.
New Zealand Men's U-20s
So assume you don't take him. Chances are we will only play 3 so I can't see how you use a spot on a player who can only play 1 game.
So assume you don't take him. Chances are we will only play 3 so I can't see how you use a spot on a player who can only play 1 game.
But if after the first two pool games, the 3rd game is a must win to make the second round (I'd put good money down already, that this will be the case for U20's) - and Mata is your best striker - then you need him available.
We have in recent times started to make the second round.... plus this is arguable going to be our strongest u20 side ever.
The 2015 and 2017 U-20 World Cups we have made it out of the group stage then lost the Round of 16, so is possibility of 2 games for Mata but we don't know who we will be up against until the due in March next year. As for strongest squad, that is provided Ole and Nix release players :P
The 2015 and 2017 U-20 World Cups we have made it out of the group stage then lost the Round of 16, so is possibility of 2 games for Mata but we don't know who we will be up against until the due in March next year. As for strongest squad, that is provided Ole and Nix release players :P
Off season for A-League (May/June), and Nix do not have any history of not releasing amateurs (and Cacace Singh were free to go, but chose not to reportedly), so a little unfair really.
The 2015 and 2017 U-20 World Cups we have made it out of the group stage then lost the Round of 16, so is possibility of 2 games for Mata but we don't know who we will be up against until the due in March next year. As for strongest squad, that is provided Ole and Nix release players :P
Off season for A-League (May/June), and Nix do not have any history of not releasing amateurs (and Cacace Singh were free to go, but chose not to reportedly), so a little unfair really.
Hence why the tongue out smiley face.
U-20s camp being held in Auckland from Feb 11-14. No word on players called up except Alex Greive of Northern Kentucky University, who I haven't actually heard of but apparently played for Auckland City youth and went to Sacred Heart. 5 goals and 11 assists in 17 games this season
U-20s camp being held in Auckland from Feb 11-14. No word on players called up except Alex Greive of Northern Kentucky University, who I haven't actually heard of but apparently played for Auckland City youth and went to Sacred Heart. 5 goals and 11 assists in 17 games this season
This camp is for players who didn't go to the OFC qualifiers last year, with another camp to follow before the squad is named, with the lucky 21 in camp then off to Poland in early May.
Full squad for this camp should be made public this week or next.
Greive's most recent run in NZ was with Birkenhead United last winter, an AM who played a key role in them coming from nowhere to challenge for the NRFL Premier Division title and make the Chatham Cup final.
Hamilton Wanderers duo Stafford Dowling and Steffano Riley have also been invited, per their programme v Tasman a week ago. Neither were involved in either camp pre-OFC last year.
I also understand Seth Clark and JJ Richards from Canterbury United have been invited. They were also uninvolved at any stage last year.
The players below were invited to one of the two camps last year.
Those in bold went to the OFC qualifiers.
5 Goalkeepers: Cam Brown, Zac Jones, Aidan Munford, Keegan Smith, Michael Woud.
20 Defenders: Nando Pijnaker, Josh Rogerson, Liberato Cacace, Kelvin Kalua, Boyd Curry, Liam Moore, Jordan Spain, Sam Philip, Dane Ingham, Jacob Masseurs, Emlyn Welsmore, Dalton Wilkins, Jake Williams, Ben Deeley, Troy Tapsell, Dino Botica, Callum McNeil, Robert Tipelu, Jorge Akers, Luke Jorgensen
15 Midfielders: Eli Just, Sarpreet Singh, Dane Schnell, Joe Bell, Lachie McIsaac, Xavier Green, Willem Ebbinge, Oli Whyte, Kingsley Sinclair, Callum McCowatt, Leon van den Hoven, Oliver Duncan, Callan Elliot, Trevor Zwetsloot
8 Forwards: Max Mata, Charles Spragg, Matt Palmer, Jake Mechell, Finn Ballard-McBride, Matt Conroy, Ihaia Delaney, Jack Duncan
Singh and Cacace not released by Phoenix?
Singh and Cacace not released by Phoenix?
Maybe not for the camps but they'd be must-picks for the final squad. Really excited about our strength, probably the best U20 side we've ever assembled.
Woud
Ingham Kalua Zwetsloot Cacace
Elliot Bell
McCowatt Singh Just
Mata
That's the starting squad I'd go for. Only concerns for me are CB where we don't have too much quality depth, and striker (Mata's out for the first two games through suspension but still definitely worth taking our best striker - but who to replace him? Waine?). Riley, Dowling and especially Clark I'd be happy to see in the final squad.
Singh and Cacace not released by Phoenix?
I would imagine Singh and Cacace haven't been requested (never mind released) for the February camp - Elliot won't be invited as he went to the OFC qualifiers.
Singh and Cacace will almost certainly be in the World Cup squad - though the fact that the A-League final is four days before the start of the tournament could complicate things. Team is likely to leave NZ before the playoffs even start. Would be a big blow not to have Singh especially.
Will be interesting to see if Elliot attends the next camp (Singh and Cacace almost certainly won't) and indeed makes the final cut. Forced into playing LB at the OFC qualifiers, a position where you'd probably say Cacace and Dalton Wilkins are better options, and there's plenty of competition in attacking midfield where he's more at home.
Singh and Cacace not released by Phoenix?
Maybe not for the camps but they'd be must-picks for the final squad. Really excited about our strength, probably the best U20 side we've ever assembled.
Woud
Ingham Kalua Zwetsloot Cacace
Elliot Bell
McCowatt Singh Just
Mata
That's the starting squad I'd go for. Only concerns for me are CB where we don't have too much quality depth, and striker (Mata's out for the first two games through suspension but still definitely worth taking our best striker - but who to replace him? Waine?). Riley, Dowling and especially Clark I'd be happy to see in the final squad.
Zwetsloot is a DM and Elliot a wide midfielder.
Put Zwetsloot where Elliot is and Nando Pijnaker in at CB perhaps.
Jake Mechell or Alex Connor-McClean, both playing for Waitakere this summer, are probably the closest to a like-for-like replacement for Max Mata. U-17 international Matt Palmer too, who has just gone to Denmark, but I'm not sure where he's at after having surgery (I think on his knee) last year.
Matt Conroy and Charles Spragg, who both went to the OFC qualifiers, and Callum McCowatt others who could play up top.
Hover who is in Holland is another who will probably come in.
Hover who is in Holland is another who will probably come in.
Leon van den Hoven?
Hover who is in Holland is another who will probably come in.
Leon van den Hoven? Will almost certainly be in the World Cup squad.
Very good potential lineup, although the U20s from 2001 weren’t too shabby at the time:
Highfield
Rayner Levick T. Brown Thou
Mulligan Sigmund Christie Young
Killen Smeltz
Very good potential lineup, although the U20s from 2001 weren’t too shabby at the time:
Highfield
Rayner Levick T. Brown Thou
Mulligan Sigmund Christie Young
Killen Smeltz
How many of that side were in the U17s 1997 side beaten 13-0 by Spain?
Bad old days.
Pretty sure Sigmund was.
Very good potential lineup, although the U20s from 2001 weren’t too shabby at the time:
Highfield
Rayner Levick T. Brown Thou
Mulligan Sigmund Christie Young
Killen Smeltz
How many of that side were in the U17s 1997 side beaten 13-0 by Spain?
Bad old days.
Pretty sure Sigmund was.
Luckily for Sigmund he was on the bench that day:
Only Sigmund was in the 1997 U17s.
Rayner, Mulligan and Christie (and Neil Jones) were in the 1999 U17s that beat Poland.
In 2001 when this squad assembled, Killen was at Man City, Christie, Young, and Mulligan were at Barnsley, Rayner was at Newcastle, and Smeltz was playing NSL for Brisbane Strikers (and was only called up late after Leo Bertos turned down his place in the squad).
And of course there were 2 in the squad from Dunedin Tech, which made a huge difference...
Only Sigmund was in the 1997 U17s.
Rayner, Mulligan and Christie (and Neil Jones) were in the 1999 U17s that beat Poland.
In 2001 when this squad assembled, Killen was at Man City, Christie, Young, and Mulligan were at Barnsley, Rayner was at Newcastle, and Smeltz was playing NSL for Brisbane Strikers (and was only called up late after Leo Bertos turned down his place in the squad).
And of course there were 2 in the squad from Dunedin Tech, which made a huge difference...
Different times when only 1 player progresses from the U17s (1997), to the U20s (2001) 4 years later.
I think Sigmund said that U17 side, was a bit lambs to the slaughter. Virtually no support from NZF.
Didn't a few of those young guys, sadly give up on football after returning from that U17 WC?
Only Sigmund was in the 1997 U17s.
Rayner, Mulligan and Christie (and Neil Jones) were in the 1999 U17s that beat Poland.
In 2001 when this squad assembled, Killen was at Man City, Christie, Young, and Mulligan were at Barnsley, Rayner was at Newcastle, and Smeltz was playing NSL for Brisbane Strikers (and was only called up late after Leo Bertos turned down his place in the squad).
And of course there were 2 in the squad from Dunedin Tech, which made a huge difference...
Different times when only 1 player progresses from the U17s (1997), to the U20s (2001) 4 years later.
I think Sigmund said that U17 side, was a bit lambs to the slaughter. Virtually no support from NZF.
Didn't a few of those young guys, sadly give up on football after returning from that U17 WC?
Was more no clue what they were really doing at the time. We miraculously beat Aussie to qualify and it really was just a bunch of NZ kids sent over to play against young pros. On a brighter note, the 1st leg of the u20 qualifier v Oz in 2001 with the above team was a great match - Killen was immense as was Brown and we went over there 2-1 up. Killen scored first in the 2nd leg but we couldn't hold on and went down 3-1 on the night. Many on these pages will laugh but Mulligan not playing the 2nd game was a huge loss as he was vital to that team
Joe McGrath was the coach - his claim to fame was that he'd worked "with" Jack Charlton, I think the extent of working "with" him was he put the cones out on the field for the Irish team training one day!
I'm not sure if he even went, from memory he left the team to 2 assistants in charge, can't remember who, but don't think they worked in football again after that
Still Spain had Xavi and Casillas on the bench! so were a pretty handy side
Of the NZ side besides Siggy, Mike Wilson went on to play 7 games for the All Whites
pretty sure Rodney Mays, Blair Scadden, Josh Stick, Marc Foote, Shaun Easthope all played National League
as did goalkeeper Jamie Cross who is then went on to be a referee
Only Sigmund was in the 1997 U17s.
Rayner, Mulligan and Christie (and Neil Jones) were in the 1999 U17s that beat Poland.
In 2001 when this squad assembled, Killen was at Man City, Christie, Young, and Mulligan were at Barnsley, Rayner was at Newcastle, and Smeltz was playing NSL for Brisbane Strikers (and was only called up late after Leo Bertos turned down his place in the squad).
And of course there were 2 in the squad from Dunedin Tech, which made a huge difference...
Different times when only 1 player progresses from the U17s (1997), to the U20s (2001) 4 years later.
I think Sigmund said that U17 side, was a bit lambs to the slaughter. Virtually no support from NZF.
Didn't a few of those young guys, sadly give up on football after returning from that U17 WC?
Was more no clue what they were really doing at the time. We miraculously beat Aussie to qualify and it really was just a bunch of NZ kids sent over to play against young pros. On a brighter note, the 1st leg of the u20 qualifier v Oz in 2001 with the above team was a great match - Killen was immense as was Brown and we went over there 2-1 up. Killen scored first in the 2nd leg but we couldn't hold on and went down 3-1 on the night. Many on these pages will laugh but Mulligan not playing the 2nd game was a huge loss as he was vital to that team
Mulligan was very good... until he came home. That Spainish U17 team was so good they were able to keep Hernandez and Casillas on the bench!
Joe McGrath was the coach - his claim to fame was that he'd worked "with" Jack Charlton, I think the extent of working "with" him was he put the cones out on the field for the Irish team training one day!
I'm not sure if he even went, from memory he left the team to 2 assistants in charge, can't remember who, but don't think they worked in football again after that
Still Spain had Xavi and Casillas on the bench! so were a pretty handy side
Of the NZ side besides Siggy, Mike Wilson went on to play 7 games for the All Whites
pretty sure Rodney Mays, Blair Scadden, Josh Stick, Marc Foote, Shaun Easthope all played National League
as did goalkeeper Jamie Cross who is then went on to be a referee
Blair Scadden played for Canterbury United for a good few seasons. Then left to go to England for work.
I think he scored the winner at QEII against Australia to qualify. I was at the game, if I remember correctly it blowing a gale and pouring down. I think Mark Bresciano was in the Australian team.
So, Luca Scimia is being looked at over the next few weeks, but anyone know what happened to that kid from the UK? Keaton August?
So, Luca Scimia is being looked at over the next few weeks, but anyone know what happened to that kid from the UK? Keaton August?
He's playing for Chalfont St Peter, 8th Tier of English football.
So, Luca Scimia is being looked at over the next few weeks, but anyone know what happened to that kid from the UK? Keaton August?
He's playing for Chalfont St Peter, 8th Tier of English football.
Higher than before which is good, but got to wonder why a bigger club didn't pick him up as a youth player. Any idea how Hugo Sobte is connected to NZ by the way? See the Overseas account tweeting about him a lot
Higher than before which is good, but got to wonder why a bigger club didn't pick him up as a youth player. Any idea how Hugo Sobte is connected to NZ by the way? See the Overseas account tweeting about him a lot
His mum is from NZ
https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/72949
New Zealand U-20 Identification Camp (players, club/college, NZ unless noted)
Ellis Hare-Reid, Ayr United (Scotland)
Nick Milner, Eastern Suburbs
Nando Pijnaker, Eastern Suburbs
Dalton Wilkins, Eastern Suburbs
Joshua Jones, Auckland City
Kelvin Kalua, Eastern Suburbs
Luke Jorgensen, Waitakere United
Jacob Richards, Canterbury United
Alex Clayton, Eastern Suburbs
Ronan Wynne, Wellington Phoenix Academy
Harrison Taylor, Adelaide Blue Eagles (Australia)
Lachlan McIsaac, Waitakere United
Gianni Stensness, Wellington Phoenix Academy
Dominic Wooldridge, Eastern Suburbs
Callum McCowatt, Eastern Suburbs
Alex Greive, Northern Kentucky University (USA)
Josh Wilson, Brisbane Strikers (Australia)
Steffano Riley, Hamilton Wanderers
Tacettin Kumsuz, Wellington Phoenix Academy
Nik Bugarcic, Louletano DC (Portugal)
Elijah Just, Eastern Suburbs
Karan Mandair, Hawke's Bay United
Oscar Browne, Waitakere United
Thomas Raimbault, Vancouver Whitecaps (Canada)
Sam Sutton, Wellington Phoenix Academy
Luca Scimia, Alma Juventus Fano (Italy)
Justin Bailey, Auckland City
Jake Mechell, Waitakere United
Stafford Dowling, Hamilton Wanderers
Drew Farnsworth, Western Washington University (USA)
Seth Clark, Canterbury United
Thomas Drillien, Auckland City
Ben Waine, Wellington Phoenix Academy
Chuck in these two lists and that is one hell of a pool to choose from:
Did anyone at Eastern Suburbs not get an invite?
Did anyone at Eastern Suburbs not get an invite?
Eastern Suburbs have 12 players born 1999 or later who have played national league this year. Eight were invited. One (Kingsley Sinclair) went to the OFC U-19 champs, one (Jack Duncan) was involved in the camp prior to that tournament, two (Matthew Garbett and Campbell Strong) are currently in the U-17 setup.
Good on ES/Ole for giving a host of NZ's best young players, exposure to national league football.
Living up to NZF's motto for the Handa Prem, of 'where All Whites are made'.
Now if only most of those young kids could be persuaded to consider the Nix, for the start of their pro careers.
That Stensness kid should be a good chance. He has been bossing the Nix reserves midfield. A big strong lad, with plenty of technique in the tool kit. It is surprising Rudan hasn't put him up to the first team. In my view far better than some of the recent Nix signings. It will be interesting to see how he goes.
I've watched four or five Weenix games this year and while Stensness has been one of the better players, I would find it hard to pick just about any of those players over other U20 options.
hondorus, Norway and Uruguay in our pool. Not the worst draw.
England not there... I thought previous winners automatically qualify.
hondorus, Norway and Uruguay in our pool. Not the worst draw.
England not there... I thought previous winners automatically qualify.
not in age groups cups, actually not even in the main WC anymore - only automatic qualifier are the hosts
hondorus, Norway and Uruguay in our pool. Not the worst draw.
England not there... I thought previous winners automatically qualify.
Beat Honduras 3-1 last world cup, and the goal we conceded was utterly terrible. They also lost 3-0 to Fiji of all teams in the 2015 edition. They're definitely beatable, we have a shot of a win against Norway, and Uruguay is the big gun of the group so a point would be very good. All in all a very good chance of R16 if we don't absolutely bottle it
Pretty compeditive camp squad annouced