WeeNix
880
·
960
·
about 7 years

ClubOranje wrote:

...

Edit: Oh, and the example of an under-20 women's team, where an Auckland club picks up non-Aucklander adults moving to the city where the U-20 national team is trying to put a regular training programme together, is incomparable. Not that there are any "sensationalistic bollocks" anywhere here, but that's why there was no outrage about that.

That is EXACTLY comparable, because that is EXACTLY what is happening with the boys, (with the semantic exception that it's not about putting a NZ age group team together it's about player development) just at a younger age, because:

a) there are the facilities for the boys to go at a younger age and 

b) parents are less reluctant about sending boys off at a younger age.

That's not a semantic exception – it is literally an acknowledgment that the two types of moves were for entirely different purposes (not to mention among two different age-groups and genders).

In 2014, we have players identified by NZF moving to Auckland for the age-group programme, then joining a strong local club to play for besides.

In 2019, we have players identified by the Phoenix moving to Wellington to join its academy. Then the age-group programme takes place on top of that – with the academy head as an assistant coach.

2002-born players recruited by WPFA obviously had a certain level of talent to be identified and recruited. For players based in places like New Plymouth, it's a no-brainer. WPFA is indeed absolutely hoovering up non-Auckland players.

But they are not the only good 2002-born players in New Zealand, nor necessarily the best.

Looking at how and where players were playing in 2019, there was therefore plenty of skepticism about the final makeup of the World Cup squad. 

There were players standing out in Northern League and Central League action who missed out to WPFA players who barely played Central League. 

We're talking about 2 or 3 instances here, maybe 4. Some of this is in the eye of the beholder. Throw in the unprecedented situation of taking a next-cycle keeper, and you end up with a 10-strong Phoenix contingent when 6 or 7 might have been a more accurate reflection of performances and talent to date.

So let's see if I understand what you are saying..

1: "NZF" identified a number of female players and invited them to join the FFDP to further their development.

2: "NZF" identified a number of male players and invited them to join the AWDP, which they don't have, so others invited those players to join an academy to further their development.

That is somehow different? Riiiiight.

Not convinced the ones at FFDP are always the "only good players nor necessarily the best". Then like you say, eye of the beholder. Some beholders would say other organisations were over-represented by as much as 50%

Starting XI
2.5K
·
2.4K
·
over 8 years

Unless you have the same information the selectors made their decisions based on and are able to point to exactly which players you'd have included and left out compared to the actual selection, its pretty much impossible to say who was over/under represented in any of these situations.

Getting paid to be here
700
·
970
·
over 6 years

ClubOranje wrote:

ClubOranje wrote:

...

Edit: Oh, and the example of an under-20 women's team, where an Auckland club picks up non-Aucklander adults moving to the city where the U-20 national team is trying to put a regular training programme together, is incomparable. Not that there are any "sensationalistic bollocks" anywhere here, but that's why there was no outrage about that.

That is EXACTLY comparable, because that is EXACTLY what is happening with the boys, (with the semantic exception that it's not about putting a NZ age group team together it's about player development) just at a younger age, because:

a) there are the facilities for the boys to go at a younger age and 

b) parents are less reluctant about sending boys off at a younger age.

That's not a semantic exception – it is literally an acknowledgment that the two types of moves were for entirely different purposes (not to mention among two different age-groups and genders).

In 2014, we have players identified by NZF moving to Auckland for the age-group programme, then joining a strong local club to play for besides.

In 2019, we have players identified by the Phoenix moving to Wellington to join its academy. Then the age-group programme takes place on top of that – with the academy head as an assistant coach.

2002-born players recruited by WPFA obviously had a certain level of talent to be identified and recruited. For players based in places like New Plymouth, it's a no-brainer. WPFA is indeed absolutely hoovering up non-Auckland players.

But they are not the only good 2002-born players in New Zealand, nor necessarily the best.

Looking at how and where players were playing in 2019, there was therefore plenty of skepticism about the final makeup of the World Cup squad. 

There were players standing out in Northern League and Central League action who missed out to WPFA players who barely played Central League. 

We're talking about 2 or 3 instances here, maybe 4. Some of this is in the eye of the beholder. Throw in the unprecedented situation of taking a next-cycle keeper, and you end up with a 10-strong Phoenix contingent when 6 or 7 might have been a more accurate reflection of performances and talent to date.

So let's see if I understand what you are saying..

1: "NZF" identified a number of female players and invited them to join the FFDP to further their development.

2: "NZF" identified a number of male players and invited them to join the AWDP, which they don't have, so others invited those players to join an academy to further their development.

That is somehow different? Riiiiight.

Not convinced the ones at FFDP are always the "only good players nor necessarily the best". Then like you say, eye of the beholder. Some beholders would say other organisations were over-represented by as much as 50%

The fact that you have to contort yourself with "which they don't have, so others..." in that second sentence proves the point that they are different. One is about a governing body wanting players in a city for a national team, one is a club recruiting for its academy. 

Even if certain players had stayed put after coming down during the U-17 cycle, ie Max and Harry, there would still be 3-4 WPFA players whose inclusion was worthy of skepticism, it would just be 3-4 out of 8, not 3-4 out of 10.

Most people are well aware (or should be) that the WPFA is home to players from all over the country. 

The issue here, I repeat, is that "there were players standing out in Northern League and Central League action who missed out to WPFA players who barely played Central League". 

At the end of the day, as NelFoos kind of points out, it's a situation where many interested parties outside of WPFA thinks they had an oversized contribution to the squad of 21, because of that, and many people at or associated with WPFA want to pat themselves on the back. We shall see which players make the cut when the winter season gets going, and the next U-20 cycle fires up, and so on and so on.

WeeNix
880
·
960
·
about 7 years

If you can't see the parallels you are possibly clouded by preconceptive bias.

And I would read Nelfoos' comment as quite the opposite; seems to suggest that unless you know the basis, and are prepared to back that up with names you can't make that sort of assumption. 

Phoenix Academy
44
·
150
·
over 16 years

ClubOranje wrote:

If you can't see the parallels you are possibly clouded by preconceptive bias.

Pot kettle black.

Phoenix Academy
44
·
150
·
over 16 years

ClubOranje wrote:

And I would read Nelfoos' comment as quite the opposite; seems to suggest that unless you know the basis, and are prepared to back that up with names you can't make that sort of assumption. 

I could answer both your statements but this is not the place to be naming names.

Something I would have thought you'd have learned a few months ago.

Phoenix Academy
44
·
150
·
over 16 years

One is about a governing body wanting players in a city for a national team, one is a club recruiting for its academy. 

This.

Getting paid to be here
700
·
970
·
over 6 years

martyyn wrote:

ClubOranje wrote:

And I would read Nelfoos' comment as quite the opposite; seems to suggest that unless you know the basis, and are prepared to back that up with names you can't make that sort of assumption. 

I could answer both your statements but this is not the place to be naming names.

Something I would have thought you'd have learned a few months ago.

I'm not interested in naming names, A, because they're kids; B, because it's not their fault; C, because they're still young and where they were relative to each other in October 2019 isn't where they will be forever. 

Anyway, ClubOranje, you know enough to know who's being referred to when I talk about competitive senior minutes last winter.

Getting paid to be here
700
·
970
·
over 6 years

Nelfoos wrote:

Unless you have the same information the selectors made their decisions based on and are able to point to exactly which players you'd have included and left out compared to the actual selection, its pretty much impossible to say who was over/under represented in any of these situations.

I'd say who was playing senior football last winter – and who was playing senior football well – was a pretty good chunk of information. 

Getting paid to be here
700
·
970
·
over 6 years

ClubOranje wrote:

If you can't see the parallels you are possibly clouded by preconceptive bias.

And I would read Nelfoos' comment as quite the opposite; seems to suggest that unless you know the basis, and are prepared to back that up with names you can't make that sort of assumption. 

Would phrasing it as 'there were a few players whose inclusion had me skeptical and they were all from WPFA' as opposed to 'the WPFA had an oversized presence' make a difference here?

WeeNix
880
·
960
·
about 7 years

martyyn wrote:

ClubOranje wrote:

And I would read Nelfoos' comment as quite the opposite; seems to suggest that unless you know the basis, and are prepared to back that up with names you can't make that sort of assumption. 

I could answer both your statements but this is not the place to be naming names.

Something I would have thought you'd have learned a few months ago.

I'm not interested in naming names, A, because they're kids; B, because it's not their fault; C, because they're still young and where they were relative to each other in October 2019 isn't where they will be forever. 

Anyway, ClubOranje, you know enough to know who's being referred to when I talk about competitive senior minutes last winter.

You seem a bit hung up on competitive minutes. This shows a lack of understanding of basic maths, let alone football development. 

WeeNix
880
·
960
·
about 7 years

ClubOranje wrote:

If you can't see the parallels you are possibly clouded by preconceptive bias.

And I would read Nelfoos' comment as quite the opposite; seems to suggest that unless you know the basis, and are prepared to back that up with names you can't make that sort of assumption. 

Would phrasing it as 'there were a few players whose inclusion had me skeptical and they were all from WPFA' as opposed to 'the WPFA had an oversized presence' make a difference here?

Of course. Football is about opinions, and everyone is entitled to one regardless. Heck, I even know a guy who thinks WestHam is a great team!

Getting paid to be here
700
·
970
·
over 6 years

ClubOranje wrote:

martyyn wrote:

ClubOranje wrote:

And I would read Nelfoos' comment as quite the opposite; seems to suggest that unless you know the basis, and are prepared to back that up with names you can't make that sort of assumption. 

I could answer both your statements but this is not the place to be naming names.

Something I would have thought you'd have learned a few months ago.

I'm not interested in naming names, A, because they're kids; B, because it's not their fault; C, because they're still young and where they were relative to each other in October 2019 isn't where they will be forever. 

Anyway, ClubOranje, you know enough to know who's being referred to when I talk about competitive senior minutes last winter.

You seem a bit hung up on competitive minutes. This shows a lack of understanding of basic maths, let alone football development. 

A fairly rudimentary measure, but playing senior football seems to be a good place to be to try to replicate World Cup conditions, and when there's players who are missing out to players who aren't – you could tell watching – you have to wonder. I'm using the word competitive to differentiate Central League from Cap 1, perhaps there's a better choice.

As for basic maths, am I the one with a lack of understanding, or is that a better description for the academy that has handed them out – in its two top teams (Central League/National League) – to some interesting older players the last couple of years and has recruited more players than it can reallisticaly give playing time to?

For more on that and my understanding (or lack thereof) of football development, well, we might just have to take this to emails... means we can stop boring onlookers here as well.

WeeNix
880
·
960
·
about 7 years

Oh dear! Not for me to bore people in a forum by having an actual discussion, goodness! Sorry, I'll go off and sit in a corner where no ideas can be exchanged.

Marquee
3.7K
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5.4K
·
over 11 years
Starting XI
3K
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3K
·
almost 7 years

Christchurch Camp

Caleb Cottom, Nomads

Calum Murdoch, Selwyn

Corey Reid, Roslyn Wakari

Diego Lavin, Christchurch United

George Campbell, Cashmere Tech

Harry Dufton, Christchurch United

Hugo Debenham, Christchurch United

Hwi Seong Chang, Roslyn Wakari

Isaac Topham, Selwyn United

Jackson Borella, Ferrymead Bays

John Oakman, Nomads

Kian Donkers, Cashmere Tech

Lewis Partridge, Christchurch United

Luke White, Christchurch United

Ngereine Maro, Ferrymead Bays

Noah Platt, Nelson Suburbs

Oliver Cosgrove, Selwyn

Patrick Keys, Richmond Athletic

Petram Hassanian, Nomads

Phoenix Coursey, Christchurch United

Reece Ager, Selwyn United

Thomas Chao, Christchurch United

Will Charles, Ferrymead Bays

Yusuf Mellouk Van Dam, Cashmere Technical

Zac Winter, Waimak United

Wellington Camp

Adam Bell, Western Suburbs

Adam Supyk, Lower Hutt

Alifeleti Peini, Western Suburbs

Akira Itadani, Western Suburbs

Albie Francis Alles, Western Suburbs

Alby Kelly-Heald, North Wellington

Bruce Izumi, Western Suburbs

Bruno Penney, Western Suburbs

Callum Kennett, Lower Hutt

Daniel Makowem, Lower Hutt

Dylan Ball, Western Suburbs

Fergus Gillion, Western Suburbs

Flynn Crocker, North Wellington

Henry Grey, Lower Hutt

Isaac Hughes, Lower Hutt

Jago Godden, Lower Hutt

Jake Powell, Western Suburbs

Jamie Toplis, Western Suburbs

Josh Jones, Western Suburbs

Josh Tollervey, Lower Hutt

Lachlan Candy, Western Suburbs

Lukas Kelly-Heald, North Wellington

Matthew Sheridan, Lower Hutt

Mick Reid, Lower Hutt

Muse Abraha, Western Suburbs

Norman Garbett, Western Suburbs

Oscar Boyce, Wairarapa

Reon Werahiko, Taradale FC (Napier)

Riley Manuel, North Wellington

Seb Barton-Ginger, Lower Hutt

Thomas Hooper, Havelock North

Xuan Loke, Western Suburbs

Zander Edwards, Lower Hutt

Auckland Camp

Adama Coulibaly, Western Springs

Addison Stewart, Central United

Aidan Lehan, East Coast Bays

Bailey Stevenson, East Coast Bays

Benji McCarthy, Auckland United

Brooklyn Baker, Eastern Suburbs

Chase Taylor, East Coast Bays

Codey Phoenix, Hibiscus Coast

Finn Caughey, Eastern Suburbs

Hayden Stubbings, Auckland United

Ikjun Cho, Western Springs

James Edgeler, East Coast Bays

Joe Wallis, Western Springs

Joseph Knowles, Melville United

Karthik Kumar, Auckland United

Moh Reynolds, Auckland United

Nathan Pepper, East Coast Bays

Nicholas Gaze, East Coast Bays

Oliver Middleton, Auckland United

Oscar Mason, Central United

Ralph Rutherford, Eastern Suburbs

Sam McIntosh, Birkenhead

Tadgh Collie, Western Springs

Vadym Patkevych, Central United

Will Mendoza, Auckland United

William Holland, Eastern Suburbs

Wilson Souphanthavong, Auckland United

Zachary Chung, Auckland United

would love to hear some opinions on the players selected. Many have already noticed the lack of WaiBOP talent

Marquee
2.7K
·
7.2K
·
almost 17 years

Also Clapham appointed as men's U17 assistant coach I saw in LinkedIn

Marquee
1.2K
·
8.2K
·
over 16 years

mrsmiis wrote:

The best young Kiwi men's talent will be coming together for monthly Regional Training Centres in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland from August.

Read all the details, and the players involved, at ➡️ https://t.co/fVaIjVfI9W ??⚽️

— New Zealand Football (@NZ_Football) July 31, 2020


...

Codey Phoenix, Hibiscus Coast

...

Sign him up
Legend
6.8K
·
14K
·
over 16 years

mrsmiis wrote:

Christchurch Camp

Caleb Cottom, Nomads

Calum Murdoch, Selwyn

Corey Reid, Roslyn Wakari

Diego Lavin, Christchurch United

George Campbell, Cashmere Tech

Harry Dufton, Christchurch United

Hugo Debenham, Christchurch United

Hwi Seong Chang, Roslyn Wakari

Isaac Topham, Selwyn United

Jackson Borella, Ferrymead Bays

John Oakman, Nomads

Kian Donkers, Cashmere Tech

Lewis Partridge, Christchurch United

Luke White, Christchurch United

Ngereine Maro, Ferrymead Bays

Noah Platt, Nelson Suburbs

Oliver Cosgrove, Selwyn

Patrick Keys, Richmond Athletic

Petram Hassanian, Nomads

Phoenix Coursey, Christchurch United

Reece Ager, Selwyn United

Thomas Chao, Christchurch United

Will Charles, Ferrymead Bays

Yusuf Mellouk Van Dam, Cashmere Technical

Zac Winter, Waimak United

Wellington Camp

Adam Bell, Western Suburbs

Adam Supyk, Lower Hutt

Alifeleti Peini, Western Suburbs

Akira Itadani, Western Suburbs

Albie Francis Alles, Western Suburbs

Alby Kelly-Heald, North Wellington

Bruce Izumi, Western Suburbs

Bruno Penney, Western Suburbs

Callum Kennett, Lower Hutt

Daniel Makowem, Lower Hutt

Dylan Ball, Western Suburbs

Fergus Gillion, Western Suburbs

Flynn Crocker, North Wellington

Henry Grey, Lower Hutt

Isaac Hughes, Lower Hutt

Jago Godden, Lower Hutt

Jake Powell, Western Suburbs

Jamie Toplis, Western Suburbs

Josh Jones, Western Suburbs

Josh Tollervey, Lower Hutt

Lachlan Candy, Western Suburbs

Lukas Kelly-Heald, North Wellington

Matthew Sheridan, Lower Hutt

Mick Reid, Lower Hutt

Muse Abraha, Western Suburbs

Norman Garbett, Western Suburbs

Oscar Boyce, Wairarapa

Reon Werahiko, Taradale FC (Napier)

Riley Manuel, North Wellington

Seb Barton-Ginger, Lower Hutt

Thomas Hooper, Havelock North

Xuan Loke, Western Suburbs

Zander Edwards, Lower Hutt

Auckland Camp

Adama Coulibaly, Western Springs

Addison Stewart, Central United

Aidan Lehan, East Coast Bays

Bailey Stevenson, East Coast Bays

Benji McCarthy, Auckland United

Brooklyn Baker, Eastern Suburbs

Chase Taylor, East Coast Bays

Codey Phoenix, Hibiscus Coast

Finn Caughey, Eastern Suburbs

Hayden Stubbings, Auckland United

Ikjun Cho, Western Springs

James Edgeler, East Coast Bays

Joe Wallis, Western Springs

Joseph Knowles, Melville United

Karthik Kumar, Auckland United

Moh Reynolds, Auckland United

Nathan Pepper, East Coast Bays

Nicholas Gaze, East Coast Bays

Oliver Middleton, Auckland United

Oscar Mason, Central United

Ralph Rutherford, Eastern Suburbs

Sam McIntosh, Birkenhead

Tadgh Collie, Western Springs

Vadym Patkevych, Central United

Will Mendoza, Auckland United

William Holland, Eastern Suburbs

Wilson Souphanthavong, Auckland United

Zachary Chung, Auckland United

would love to hear some opinions on the players selected. Many have already noticed the lack of WaiBOP talent

Given my extensive and well known expertise including quoting skills, I think we should encourage more players to be called Coulibaly. Or Barton-Ginger. Two obvious markers of impending greatness.

Trialist
8
·
72
·
over 7 years

3 clubs represented in the Central region?

Cock
2.7K
·
16K
·
over 14 years

If thats the best players, what relevance is what club they belong too?

Starting XI
1.5K
·
4.9K
·
over 15 years

Maybe NZ Football didn't get the fax from FIFA but I'm under the impression that FIFA are cancelling all their men's age group World Cups next year (apart from the Olympic u-23's).

Read this in August World Soccer magazine.

Reasons:

- Qualifiers can't be played in most Confederations due to covid-19

- Crowded calendar in 2021 with Olympic Football, Copa America and Euros.

I just checked the FIFA website and all references to men's age group World Cups have been removed except the Olympics.....

https://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/

Only the Women's u-17 World Cup is still listed.

Starting XI
1.5K
·
4.9K
·
over 15 years

Who is the NZ u-17 coach these days?

Starting XI
3K
·
3K
·
almost 7 years

Big Pete 65 wrote:

Who is the NZ u-17 coach these days?

Martin Bullock

Starting XI
1.5K
·
4.9K
·
over 15 years

mrsmiis wrote:

Big Pete 65 wrote:

Who is the NZ u-17 coach these days?

Martin Bullock

I remember when he played for Barnsley in their only Premier League season in the late nineties.

Was quite an underdog story....

RR
·
Bossi Insider
9.2K
·
33K
·
over 15 years
Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years
Bit tough on the young 15-16 yr old footballers in the Solomons. Especially as two OFC teams qualify for the U17 World Cup

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/draw-for-ofc-u-17-championship-to-be-set-today/

The draw for the OFC U-17 Championship 2023 will take place on Friday, October 28 with the competition to be hosted in Fiji from January 11-28 next year.

Ten teams will compete for the right to be crowned OFC U-17 champions, with games split between two venues in Ba and Suva.  

The two finalists will also earn qualification for next year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup™ in Peru.

Next year’s event marks an exciting return of the competition following the eventual cancellation of the 2020 edition due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, and Vanuatu will all be hoping to prevent reigning champions New Zealand from a ninth title. 

Following a decision issued by the OFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee in 2019 in relation to the OFC U-16 Championship 2018, the Solomon Islands are excluded from taking part. 

Marquee
3.7K
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5.4K
·
over 11 years
Poor decision - why should these kids be punished for something outside of their own control. 
Find a way to punish their organisation outside of this.
Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years
NC you'd expect to be the toughest pool game, then into quarters, where are 2 wins off (QF & SF) WC qualification.

Fiji in January will be toasty warm. But at least players will be more acclimatised coming from a NZ summer as opposed to winter, like U19s had to deal with.

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/teams-discover-ofc-u-17-championship-2023-opponents/

Four teams will contest Group A, host nation Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea and Tonga.  

Group B consists of reigning champions New Zealand, New Caledonia, and American Samoa. 

In Group C, Tahiti, Vanuatu, and the Cook Islands will battle for a place in the quarter-finals. 

Each team will play each other once in their respective groups. The winners, runners-up and the two highest-ranked 3rd placed teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals on January 21 and 22.
Legend
11K
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21K
·
almost 9 years
No indulging at Christmas for these kids. Tourney kicks off Jan 11th in Fiji.

No favours from OFC. Both pool games (NC & American Samoa) for NZ U17s to kick off at 3pm in the mid arvo sun.

U17 World Cup to be in Peru next year.
First WC for this mens/boys age group since 2019.

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/how-to-watch-ofc-u-17-championship-2023/

Every match of January’s OFC U-17 Championship 2023 will be streamed live and free on oceaniafootbal.com via Eleven Sports.



Phoenix Academy
130
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440
·
over 16 years
Squad out:
Adam Watson (Stoke City FC, England)
Anaru Cassidy (Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand)
Anton Isaako (Sydney FC, Australia)
Bronson Brown (Auckland United FC, New Zealand)
Dylan Gardiner (Hamilton Wanderers FC, New Zealand)
Eamonn McCarron (Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand)
Eric Imachi Sugahara (Cashmere Technical, New Zealand)
Gabriel Sloane Rodrigues (Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand)
Harrison Tisch (Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand)
Harry Huxford (Havelock North Wanderers AFC, New Zealand)
Jackson Cole (Christchurch United FC, New Zealand)
James Ray (Auckland United FC, New Zealand)
Jesper Edwards (Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand)
Joshua Brown (Western Suburbs, New Zealand)
Konstantino Gorgiovski (FK Makedonija G.P., North Macedonia)
Luka Coveny (Western United FC, Australia)
Luke Supyk (Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand)
Marley Leuluai (Manchester City, England)
Matt D'Hotman (Melville United AFC, New Zealand)
Matt Foord (Cashmere Technical, New Zealand)
Nicholas Murphy (Christchurch United FC, New Zealand)
Niko Bruce (Western Suburbs, New Zealand)
Ryan Lee (North Wellington AFC, New Zealand)

I don't follow this age group so no idea of talent, but only 2 from the Auckland region must be a first and so many from overseas.
Marquee
3.7K
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5.4K
·
over 11 years
No one from Birkenhead, our recently crowned U17 champs?!

I have no idea, but is the quality of FK Makedonija G.P better than here? Has the kid come over to trial?
Starting XI
3K
·
3K
·
almost 7 years
MetalLegNZ
No one from Birkenhead, our recently crowned U17 champs?!

I have no idea, but is the quality of FK Makedonija G.P better than here? Has the kid come over to trial?

By a distance, yeah. He moved there in 2019 from NZ. Was offered to join Sabadell in Spain's 3rd tier recently.

No Birko players is definitely really strange
Getting paid to be here
700
·
970
·
over 6 years
MetalLegNZ
No one from Birkenhead, our recently crowned U17 champs?!

I have no idea, but is the quality of FK Makedonija G.P better than here? Has the kid come over to trial?

Only two members of the Birkenhead squad that won last weekend were eligible for this team
and 1 other
WeeNix
1.6K
·
980
·
about 3 years
Enough said
Squad out:
Adam Watson (Stoke City FC, England)
Anaru Cassidy (Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand)
Anton Isaako (Sydney FC, Australia)
Bronson Brown (Auckland United FC, New Zealand)
Dylan Gardiner (Hamilton Wanderers FC, New Zealand)
Eamonn McCarron (Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand)
Eric Imachi Sugahara (Cashmere Technical, New Zealand)
Gabriel Sloane Rodrigues (Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand)
Harrison Tisch (Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand)
Harry Huxford (Havelock North Wanderers AFC, New Zealand)
Jackson Cole (Christchurch United FC, New Zealand)
James Ray (Auckland United FC, New Zealand)
Jesper Edwards (Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand)
Joshua Brown (Western Suburbs, New Zealand)
Konstantino Gorgiovski (FK Makedonija G.P., North Macedonia)
Luka Coveny (Western United FC, Australia)
Luke Supyk (Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand)
Marley Leuluai (Manchester City, England)
Matt D'Hotman (Melville United AFC, New Zealand)
Matt Foord (Cashmere Technical, New Zealand)
Nicholas Murphy (Christchurch United FC, New Zealand)
Niko Bruce (Western Suburbs, New Zealand)
Ryan Lee (North Wellington AFC, New Zealand)

I don't follow this age group so no idea of talent, but only 2 from the Auckland region must be a first and so many from overseas.
Apparently Gabriel Sloane Rodrigues ('07) went to Westlake Boys', so he's originally from the North Shore prior to moving to the Phoenix, but it is a bit damning on Auckland that the city that is considerably the largest contributes only a couple players. Also of the Phoenix contingent; Supyk is from Canterbury I believe, Tisch is apparently from Tauranga. 

Luka Coveny featured for Australia's U16s in August when they finished bottom of their group in the AFF (note not AFC) U16 Championship, and he even scored in the defeat against Myanmar. His father is, of course, Vaughan, who was the All Whites' leading goalscorer until March this year, though he's been Melbourne based for decades now. I think he's a defender unlike his old man though.

Aussie Scout on Twitter says that Isaako is 2007-born, so a year younger than his peers. Can't say much about him past that, but playing up a year at U17s is not super common; last World Cup cohort had only one player not 2002-born, the third keeper who would've been eligible for the next U17s. That being said, calling up Australian-based players is slightly risky, given the chance they'll opt to return to Australia if careers permit (Aussie Scout has already suggested they should reel in Jelacic who was in that previous U17 WC squad).

Dylan Gardiner played a couple times for Wanderers' first team in Northern League this season, though only 20 minutes. I think he's the only one to play Northern League. Of others to play first tier football this year, it looks like Ryan Lee played 502 minutes in Central League, Niko Bruce 41 minutes and Harry Huxford 20. Jackson Cole played 236 minutes across Southern and National League and Nicholas Murphy 16 minutes.
Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years
2 players from Western Suburbs. Is it just me or is their less talent it seems coming out of Ole, last few years?

Any correlation with Declan leaving for Sweden?

Kids now more likely to choose the Nix Academy over Ole, compared to before?
Trialist
1
·
2
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over 1 year
Does seem to be the case! Be interesting to see how the new technical director suburbs have brought in impacts things, he has some pedigree. Competition between the academy's can only be a good thing I would've thought.
coochiee
2 players from Western Suburbs. Is it just me or is their less talent it seems coming out of Ole, last few years?

Any correlation with Declan leaving for Sweden?

Kids now more likely to choose the Nix Academy over Ole, compared to before?
Legend
2.1K
·
16K
·
about 17 years
coochiee
2 players from Western Suburbs. Is it just me or is their less talent it seems coming out of Ole, last few years?

Any correlation with Declan leaving for Sweden?

Kids now more likely to choose the Nix Academy over Ole, compared to before?

I think heaps are jumping ship including Cassidy who was at Wests 
Trialist
47
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76
·
almost 6 years
Jesper Edwards and Eamonn McCarron were also previously at Wests. A bunch of players switched after Ben Sippola left a year ago.
Trialist
0
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1
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almost 2 years
The youth national league was dominated by teams outside Wellington. But phoenix play the style of play NZ wants, Birkenhead are more direct.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2022/10/16/auckland-united-take-out-inaugural-u-17-boys-youth-national-league-title/



andrewvoerman
MetalLegNZ
No one from Birkenhead, our recently crowned U17 champs?!

I have no idea, but is the quality of FK Makedonija G.P better than here? Has the kid come over to trial?

Only two members of the Birkenhead squad that won last weekend were eligible for this team

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