New Zealand Men's U-17s

I think one of the major differences was that Italy hardly pressed us compared to Uruguay so that and the overall game tempo suited us much better.  I expect Côte d'Ivoire will be closer in style to Uruguay with a higher-tempo pressing game.

This is silly though, as our past U20 right backs have been decent too but none ever end up at the Phoenix. Adam Thomas at the U23s, plus Bill Tuiloma and Storm Roux were decent.

Kelliher is a good wee player. Hope he sticks to that position. Good FSE member IMO as is Brown (LB).

Uruguay just sneaked drawing with Cote d' by scoring a last minute goal. So another huge test of our kids coming up. But they'll be up for this one too, surely, and hopefully there'll be no repeat blowout 0-7 (or NZ 0 Japan 6 like the final match in '11!)

Watching the Italy match again this a.m. it could quite easily have finished a 2-2/3-3 draw. Patterson, Holthusen and Baker all went incredibly close - and of course Italy hit the post (twice?).

Think you got an answer on this one. IMO the players kinda lost their heads having to play catch-up.

Top result. Have not seen the game, but saw the goal we conceded. Poor goalkeeping I thought.

we played well, think the keeper was unkucky with the goal, he did well to stop the shot but the deflection essentially landed in the best possible place for a stiker.

Good initial save I thought, striker was close to goal, so he had to get down quickly which he did, just an unfortunate rebound.

Does anyone else think Zac Speedy looks like Yahoo Serious?

Few more inches on top he could be Sideshow bob.

Much better performance from the team. Using 4-2-3-1 seems to give them a lot more defensively in midfield, and when they did win the ball broke quickly and with intent. Reckon they probably had 4 of the best 6 chances in the game. Bit more clinical up front and we could have got something out of that.

Pretty disappointing goal to concede. Forrester got too tight, Kelliher missed the tackle, and Speedy spilled it. Apart from that, Forrester looked immense.

Based on previous WC, a win in our last game and we could still go through as one of the 4th best, 3rd placed teams.

Good performance I thought. A bit to direct for my liking but worked quite well against the Italians. Forrester immense?  Didn't look great in my opinion. Left back looked very strong Brown?

The lads take on Côte d’Ivoire tonight. Coverage starts from 1.48am on Sky Sport 4.

He was sound defensively... However, positioning wise looked poor.  Think there will be any changes to the line up against Ivory Coast? 

Down a goal and Forrester off for 2 yellows in under 35 mins...

Both were fair I thought.

Gave it first half ivory coast just far too quick on the ball. Once again its hoofball from us. Holthusen deserves a goal this tourny tho
Guessing forresters sending off means another hammering! Sigh

Agreed both bookings were fair. Very hoofballish

The first one, the IC player split the two defenders with his diagonal run and the other CB never tracked or communicated the runner and he kinda had to clean up cause they were split. The second was poor timing in that he followed through on an attempted kick. Missed the ball and hit the other guy flush. Certainly no cause for complaint. He was upset but I hope he uses it as a learning point because I am sure he wont want that kind of feeling again.

Would've put money on Forrester getting sent off after his first yellow. Looked so clumsy.
And Goal Ivory Coast.

Rufer booked now too.

So whats that, 3 played, 3 losses, 11 goals conceded, none for.

But i guess its another 'transition period' so all is fair. Tough luck lads, you showed heart and thats all that counts .. ka pai

FIFA.com match report

Finished 0-3 after Forrester sent in first half.

Can't be too hard on the kids, they gave their all and showed good spirit after a tough first game.

Still think we are heading in the right direction and nice to see an NZ team trying to play football - even when down to 10 men and under the cosh against a very decent African side.

Lots of potential in that side heading towards 2015.

Respect.

http://www.fifa.com/u17worldcup/news/newsid=2203802/index.html

Bazeley trying to be positive. Understandably. Holthusen perhaps getting carried away - there are a lot of good 1995 players to come into the reckoning for the U20s...

' Holthusen, who wears the No14 shirt for his country, is currently on the books of domestic outfit Onehunga Sports: “We’ve only got two professional footballers in the side at the moment, and I think that the rest of us played really well and should get some offers. Putting on a good show at a World Cup is a great way to get noticed.” '

Clearly he's been drinking the Wynrs 'kool aid' ...

Did Palezovich get a run at all? 

Of the 270 minutes, I saw about 120 so my view on what happened could be skewed of how little I only saw.

I was thoroughly disappointed in the display of Rufer. I accept that when you are getting humped, and you are a minnow, you are not going to see much go forward ball but there was times when I just saw him give up tracking back, tucking in... just showing any graft off the ball when we never had it. It was like he lacked effort or heart or something. Just no 'I'm not giving up' attitude.

I think he has talent and he has a great future but I think he also needs to be aware, he has only just started and has not 'made' it yet. Go ask Brockie how that can all go pear shaped for you.

I thought the young lad up front Holthusen was the best on display. Judd Baker should stick to the gym and Ridenton did not do much for me either (again no go forward ball). De Jong the Younger showed some nice bits with what he got.

No.

I tend to agree about Holthusen , but found it frustrating how he did tend to do too much with the ball. I'm not sure if he lacked awareness of when there were other players around him in better positions or if he just chose not to release the ball to them, but after watching the same pattern of play from him for three games I'd like to see that element of his game change.

Would have liked to have seen Neblett get a chance to play in his more preferred striking role that he has been very effective in for club in the local Prem competition.

After the Italy game one had hopes.... but these kids are woefully inconsistent in nearly all they do. It will be interesting to see if two seasons playing together week in week out in the ASB rectifies things before the Under-20's. No Rufer or Ridenton  won't make a huge diff IMO. Anyway, it's up to Bazely & Co. to uncover more talent and hopefully raise the bar.

Is anyone else concerned that after much more successful tournaments under Caine and Mcfarlane, this campaign was a but of a disaster yet the coaching staff have already been appointed to the U 20's for 2015.

Is there not any accountability?

2015 U17s not appointed yet? Time for change?

Hasn't Bazeley got a UEFA 'A' coaching licence?