Might end up top of the group!
I hope so..
This was taken pre Norway game so they'll be upping the "cash out" to tempt me. We'll see ....Deal or No Deal !
I'll be tempted to lay NZ v Uruguay just in case but from what I've seen NZ have a good chance against them.
EDIT 30/05/19:
- Have done the "sensible" thing & backed Uruguay so have some profit locked in whatever the result. Skewed with more profit to the NZ side as I still fancy NZ to win/draw tomorrow.
Dominating the match, had the best chances for sure. Cacace with an insane run beating 4 or 5 defenders before his shot is very well saved, best chance of the game. Singh a standout too, defense doing very well
I honestly can't remember such a long, dribbling run from a midfielder from either the AW's or FF's. It was so refreshing and exciting at the same time. Great football by the team.
While just a small cog in it, remember at the time of the National League final, thinking that Eastern Suburbs played in a way that was different to almost everything in NZ. That sort of talent and skill is now being seen worldwide
The game was pretty cagey to be fair in the first half with both sides pressing hard and jumping on any poor touches. But as the game wore on we became more and more dominant.
We just beat a team which in recent history has beaten Spain, Italy and England. Their giant stirker got a hattrick against Spain, but looked frustrated against us.
Our midfield and attack have been lauded, but our two CB's are unsung heroes in my book. Woud has barely had a thing to do, and thats because Stranger and Pinjanker have dominated their space, avoided silly errors and played confidently from the back.
Carcace was MOM - surely on his way to Italy or beyond, especially since he can get a Euro passport through his father.
The game was pretty cagey to be fair in the first half with both sides pressing hard and jumping on any poor touches. But as the game wore on we became more and more dominant.
We just beat a team which in recent history has beaten Spain, Italy and England. Their giant stirker got a hattrick against Spain, but looked frustrated against us.
Our midfield and attack have been lauded, but our two CB's are unsung heroes in my book. Woud has barely had a thing to do, and thats because Stranger and Pinjanker have dominated their space, avoided silly errors and played confidently from the back.
Carcace was MOM - surely on his way to Italy or beyond, especially since he can get a Euro passport through his father.
Contracted here for while isn't he..
only if contracts really mean anything.
Two games now against teams we would normally be considered the lesser where we have been the better team with the better quality of players.
And there you have the problem. High School Football, don't get me started.
It's weird because High School rugby seems like a vanity project for all of NZ secondary schools yet they manage to produce good players for the next level. My mate said in the UK the pubic public schools didn't have any sports teams and they focused on classroom learning which kind of explains the lack of exposure he got to anything outside of football.
It's weird because High School rugby seems like a vanity project for all of NZ secondary schools yet they manage to produce good players for the next level. My mate said in the UK the pubic schools didn't have any sports teams and they focused on classroom learning which kind of explains the lack of exposure he got to anything outside of football.
It's weird because High School rugby seems like a vanity project for all of NZ secondary schools yet they manage to produce good players for the next level. My mate said in the UK the pubic schools didn't have any sports teams and they focused on classroom learning which kind of explains the lack of exposure he got to anything outside of football.
Despite the image we as football fans tend to hope to paint of Rugby it is in NZ pretty forward thinking with respect to coaching systems and philosophies and especially at the top level. NZRU was using player centered coaching models and TGFU long before we started to do it in football.
The battle for football is that football for boys at school clashes with football for boys at clubs and sadly a small minority of schools hold the power as to when football should be played for schools. On the flip side girls school football is played on Wednesday afternoon and there is less of a clashe for the girls with club football commitments. Wish we could see boys football at schools played on Wed afternoon as well.
Also many of the coaches at schools also are involved with club football so with respect to ideas and coaching methods its often quite similar. Its the difficulty of over loading the training schedules for the kids who play club, school, academy and federation. Not easy to sort out.
Two games now against teams we would normally be considered the lesser where we have been the better team with the better quality of players.
Well thats the trendy position, its not at all politically correct to acknowledge NZF's part in this because sometimes the NZF admin flaws get confused with the direction of the type of coaching it undertook with the WoF plan. Methods, philosophies and processes which have filtered through all levels of coaching via courses, coach interactions and osmosis.
These players are a product of NZF, Ole, Wynrs, Phoenix, Federation and a long list on unknown and unheralded coaches around the country. Products of a decent number of small cogs in a bigger wheel.
People need to clearly differentiate between the admin problems of recent years and the work of the technical staff in coaching courses, resources and material being pushed.
If these players are not partly a result of NZF then I guess Buckingham has had no influence at all using your logic.
Its always so easy and lazy to simply bash NZF (and yes they do have their serious flaws.)
In the absence of any South Island based academy, it is interesting to observe that no South Island players have been selected for the current U17 and U20 mens squads whereas in a uniformly delivered NZF coaching system, statistically it would be expected to deliver 20% from the South Island. This suggests that the quoted academies are outputting a far superior product.
My $0.02's worth. I am just revelling in the wonderful football these guys are playing, and all involved should be acknowledged and congratulated, particularly Wynton & Declan and the other academy staff.
Two games now against teams we would normally be considered the lesser where we have been the better team with the better quality of players.
Well thats the trendy position, its not at all politically correct to acknowledge NZF's part in this because sometimes the NZF admin flaws get confused with the direction of the type of coaching it undertook with the WoF plan. Methods, philosophies and processes which have filtered through all levels of coaching via courses, coach interactions and osmosis.
These players are a product of NZF, Ole, Wynrs, Phoenix, Federation and a long list on unknown and unheralded coaches around the country. Products of a decent number of small cogs in a bigger wheel.
People need to clearly differentiate between the admin problems of recent years and the work of the technical staff in coaching courses, resources and material being pushed.
If these players are not partly a result of NZF then I guess Buckingham has had no influence at all using your logic.
Its always so easy and lazy to simply bash NZF (and yes they do have their serious flaws.)
In the absence of any South Island based academy, it is interesting to observe that no South Island players have been selected for the current U17 and U20 mens squads whereas in a uniformly delivered NZF coaching system, statistically it would be expected to deliver 20% from the South Island. This suggests that the quoted academies are outputting a far superior product.
My $0.02's worth. I am just revelling in the wonderful football these guys are playing, and all involved should be acknowledged and congratulated, particularly Wynton & Declan and the other academy staff.
Did Callan Elliot go through Ifill's Nelson based PIFA academy?
Did Callan Elliot go through Ifill's Nelson based PIFA academy?
Maybe started there, but was with Phoenix when selected. Same as Joe Bell when APFA was based at Lincoln, before it shut up shop and moved to the Phoenix
Did Callan Elliot go through Ifill's Nelson based PIFA academy?
Maybe started there, but was with Phoenix when selected. Same as Joe Bell when APFA was based at Lincoln, before it shut up shop and moved to the Phoenix
Prior to APFA Joe learned a lot of football skills in Christchurch. Was a Ferrymead Bays Junior, Mainland FTC player, represented his school and was a Canterbury rep futsal player too. Futsal payed a significant role in his early development.
I coached a junior team in the Christchurch competition that played against Joe Bells Ferrymead team. It was obvious back then that he was a player with enormous talent. Joe had the talent, the parental support and the obvious desire. He was well coached back then and that has been developed on his pathway since. Whist I have enormous respect for the academies that have provided the polish to these kids, I believe that all must have had similar parental support and some very influential coaching in their developmental years. I'd like to think that this is an indication thatl N Z football as a whole is progressing. As a Cantabrian I'm disappointed that there aren't more local boys who meet the standard and we need to up our game. Interesting though that the outstanding under 17 girls bronze medal team had a significant number of players who originated from the South Island.
Most important take out though is that we are making progress on the international stage. Let's enjoy and celebrate that. Most importantly recognize what we're doing right and replicate it.
You Kiwi folk are a grumpy, hard to please mob. You've beaten a European team for the first time and guaranteed yourselves qualification for the last 16 at a major FIFA WC competition. Australia didn't even qualify. You're obviously doing something right.... Crickey, stop being so bloody gloom and doom about everything. Why not enjoy the ride! I'm loving it. Stensness' goal was a cracker.
I coached a junior team in the Christchurch competition that played against Joe Bells Ferrymead team. It was obvious back then that he was a player with enormous talent. Joe had the talent, the parental support and the obvious desire. He was well coached back then and that has been developed on his pathway since. Whist I have enormous respect for the academies that have provided the polish to these kids, I believe that all must have had similar parental support and some very influential coaching in their developmental years. I'd like to think that this is an indication thatl N Z football as a whole is progressing. As a Cantabrian I'm disappointed that there aren't more local boys who meet the standard and we need to up our game. Interesting though that the outstanding under 17 girls bronze medal team had a significant number of players who originated from the South Island.
Most important take out though is that we are making progress on the international stage. Let's enjoy and celebrate that. Most importantly recognize what we're doing right and replicate it.
You Kiwi folk are a grumpy, hard to please mob. You've beaten a European team for the first time and guaranteed yourselves qualification for the last 16 at a major FIFA WC competition. Australia didn't even qualify. You're obviously doing something right.... Crickey, stop being so bloody gloom and doom about everything. Why not enjoy the ride! I'm loving it. Stensness' goal was a cracker.
Why? Unlike football, this is our real national sport.
Did Callan Elliot go through Ifill's Nelson based PIFA academy?
Maybe started there, but was with Phoenix when selected. Same as Joe Bell when APFA was based at Lincoln, before it shut up shop and moved to the Phoenix
Next I saw him as a year 9 or 10 playing for Waimea College's 1st XI and he was quality, although there were a couple of other boys picked for bigger things in that team. He was part of Ifill's academy in Nelson then moved to Wairarapa to go to Rathkeale and play for Rapa and Ifill recommended him to the Nix, who signed him.
Getting back to the game, here are some interesting stats from the match against Norway
https://twitter.com/11tegen11/status/1133385221880...
Almost zero passes from the fullbacks to the wingers. Interesting.
Lots of focus on wingers stretching opposition full backs and allowing space for the likes of Singh to run into.
Lots of focus on wingers stretching opposition full backs and allowing space for the likes of Singh to run into.
It's proper football isn't it. And great to see from a New Zealand side
Picking a few changes for Friday.
Mata will start - going into this tournament he was seen as our number one striker and has also captained the team. The coaching staff will want to see what he is like in combination with Just, McCowatt and Singh moving towards the play offs. Who is the better option him or Waine.
I also expect to see Cacace rested. He is too important to the team to risk a suspension going into the knock out rounds, especially given we have already qualified. Wilkins will slot straight in. I dont think he will provide the same thrust going forward, but given his relationship with Just, I imagine the link play and communication may be better (not that is has been bad)
I also expect to see Zwetsloot start in place of Stensness - to give him a rest with him coming on maybe to replace Bell in the second half. I think its important to keep them both fresh.
Other than that, I don't see too many changes. I think Singh will start, but will come off in the second half to give Van der Hoven a run as well. I also don't think we will see a change in the CB pairing given how well they have played.
Picking a few changes for Friday.
Mata will start - going into this tournament he was seen as our number one striker and has also captained the team. The coaching staff will want to see what he is like in combination with Just, McCowatt and Singh moving towards the play offs. Who is the better option him or Waine.
I also expect to see Cacace rested. He is too important to the team to risk a suspension going into the knock out rounds, especially given we have already qualified. Wilkins will slot straight in. I dont think he will provide the same thrust going forward, but given his relationship with Just, I imagine the link play and communication may be better (not that is has been bad)
I also expect to see Zwetsloot start in place of Stensness - to give him a rest with him coming on maybe to replace Bell in the second half. I think its important to keep them both fresh.
Other than that, I don't see too many changes. I think Singh will start, but will come off in the second half to give Van der Hoven a run as well. I also don't think we will see a change in the CB pairing given how well they have played.
Have you ever seen Dalton play?
Not as much as Cacace TBH.
No matter who plays, I'm excited anyway!!
Almost zero passes from the fullbacks to the wingers. Interesting.
It looks like it is all going through Singh
well worth winning next game, or at least draw.
Topping the group gives us a 3rd place team in next round ( from A,B or F) while coming second gives us the runner up from A.
Not that any of those potential opponents strike me as easy, but a third placer is likely to be a shade weaker, and small margins win matches.
well worth winning next game, or at least draw.
Topping the group gives us a 3rd place team in next round ( from A,B or F) while coming second gives us the runner up from A.
Not that any of those potential opponents strike me as easy, but a third placer is likely to be a shade weaker, and small margins win matches.
well worth winning next game, or at least draw.
Topping the group gives us a 3rd place team in next round ( from A,B or F) while coming second gives us the runner up from A.
Not that any of those potential opponents strike me as easy, but a third placer is likely to be a shade weaker, and small margins win matches.
So, if we lose to Uruguay we will get Colombia.. The 4 x best 3rd combo is still up for grabs but my "tea leaves" say we will get Ecuador if we top the group.
Thanks to Voerman
If we win or draw against Uruguay then we will play 3rd place from Group A, Group B or Group F.
If we lose against Uruguay then we will play Colombia who finished second in Group A.
Poland finished third in Group A so is one of the potential opponents, Ecuador finished third in Group B so is another. Mali, Panama and Saudi Arabia are all still in contention to finish third in Group F (Games to be played Saturday NZ time)
Thanks to Voerman
If we win or draw against Uruguay then we will play 3rd place from Group A, Group B or Group F.
If we lose against Uruguay then we will play Colombia who finished second in Group A.
Poland finished third in Group A so is one of the potential opponents, Ecuador finished third in Group B so is another. Mali, Panama and Saudi Arabia are all still in contention to finish third in Group F (Games to be played Saturday NZ time)
I think he's made an error re Group F, that has Argentina, South Korea, Portugal and South Africa in it. 3rd place most likely to be South Korea or Portugal
Thanks to Voerman
If we win or draw against Uruguay then we will play 3rd place from Group A, Group B or Group F.
If we lose against Uruguay then we will play Colombia who finished second in Group A.
Poland finished third in Group A so is one of the potential opponents, Ecuador finished third in Group B so is another. Mali, Panama and Saudi Arabia are all still in contention to finish third in Group F (Games to be played Saturday NZ time)
I think he's made an error re Group F, that has Argentina, South Korea, Portugal and South Africa in it. 3rd place most likely to be South Korea or Portugal
Indeed I did. Early-morning tournaments are a mess.
Portugal are the best squad on paper by a country mile, would hate to draw them if they somehow fall to 3rd. Have several Premier League regulars and full internationals. Feel we can take on most other squads there, would love an Ecuador, Saudi or Panama
Portugal are the best squad on paper by a country mile, would hate to draw them if they somehow fall to 3rd. Have several Premier League regulars and full internationals. Feel we can take on most other squads there, would love an Ecuador, Saudi or Panama
Also if we finish second in the group we play Columbia. They look strong but were actually the last qualifiers out of south america. Ecuador were top qualifier.
Just pointing out its all seems a bit of a lottery really.
Portugal are the best squad on paper by a country mile, would hate to draw them if they somehow fall to 3rd. Have several Premier League regulars and full internationals. Feel we can take on most other squads there, would love an Ecuador, Saudi or Panama
Also if we finish second in the group we play Columbia. They look strong but were actually the last qualifiers out of south america. Ecuador were top qualifier.
Just pointing out its all seems a bit of a lottery really.
I can imagine South American sides just using domestic players for U20 qualifying (unless it was a one off tournament in the Euro club off season), but then stacking their sides with young players at quality European clubs for this tourney.
So not sure pecking order of South American qualifying would mean much.
Looks like 9 changes to starting line up for us & about 8 to Uruguay.
As expected most of the money is on Uruguay (yesterday were at 2.22) - those "mug punters" obviously dont know how good our whole squad is :-)
Great to see the whole squad getting a run.
Zwetsloot. oh no, poor kid. Carried off after 2 minutes. Bell on.
Clearly we don't have the depth that Uruguay have, giving it away very cheaply in the midfield.
