New Zealand Men's U-17s

And some of those relocated to Auckland when in the initial squad, and went those schools. I would do the same if i was in the frame as both coaches well respected and both programmes very good

I was needling : )

I thought the forum needed more angst!

Not anymore. S.Heart came 2nd in Nationals and St Kents 5? I would support the comment that these 2 colleges have the best school footballing programmes in thew country. I would support the comment that Dan and Chris have suggested that if you want to be considered for 'our National Team' you would need to consider moving to our schools. Some better player verse better programme?

I would also suggest that both the above coaches are trying their very best to take over the Nonsense from the sideline' that Fallon held at MAG. 

Disgraceful for National Team Coaches!!!

*wouldn't support the comment that these 2 colleges have the best footballing programme in the country.

Well both Schools were not allowed to take their under 17y players to the nationals, which in St Kents case was 5 and Sacred 3.

Losing half a team makes judgement on that basis a bit harsh,and losing only one game on penalties to eventual winners might be a better perspective. 

which schools have better programmes do you think? 

that comment was never made - "in the country's biggest city" was.

and to the person coming here saying 'they came 2nd and 5th' well, they were still the top 2 auckland schools? and even then, that was a tournament that has a terrible format and where none of these players played. sacred heart bossed it all the way to the penalty shootout by all accounts. and even then, judging a programme on that week is one of the funniest things I've heard. going to give me a smile on my face all day.

who would you put up there with them in Auckland? St Peter's? And nationally? Nelson? Hamilton Boys? Scots?

The evidence of the final squad alone should tell you that "I would support the comment that Dan and Chris have suggested that if you want to be considered for 'our National Team' you would need to consider moving to our schools." is horseshark.

Yes some do, because they see it as a no brainer, and St Kents has scholarships to help get some up there, but it's definitely not done to the extent you conspiracy theorists think it is! There are plenty of talented players at both schools who aren't going to India?

Ben Deeley moved from Timaru to Auckland (and Auckland Grammar, which would seem to be a blow to the conspiracy theory, especially as he's a starter for the U-17s) ... because the environment he'll get in Auckland is well beyond that he'll get in Timaru. Jordan Spain from Chch to St Kents - one you can be a bit hmm about, but at the end of the day, it's about putting talent in the place it's most likely to excel, is it not? Who else are movers in there? Ebbinge to Wellington from somewhere at some stage (to be in the system at the country's only pro club, seems like a pretty good excuse)?

Richards and Mata from MAGS to st Kents, although Mata left and went to Phoenix and returned. Van der Hoven and maybe Sinclair(?) to Sacred via MAGS. Sad to see the exodus from MAGS. Once powerhouse now struggling.

Correct me if I'm wrong (I'm not in Auckland), but these moves would have had as much to do with the change of coach at MAGS as to do with any instructions from the coaches at St Kents and Sacred Heart?

There seemed to be a large exodus post Fallon at MAGS, and lots of internal issues there. This made the moves easier for the boys from what I hear. Seems some players like Currie did not play for AGS either, and the word is same sorts of issues there.

Ben Deeley's father is Timaru Boys' High School First XI football coach and is also involved with the Football South Football Talent Centre

https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/sport/7709139...

More connections

really? bush did 9/11

Ben Deeley's father is Timaru Boys' High School First XI football coach and is also involved with the Football South Football Talent Centre Father pushed in the right directions, had contacts and made sure he was in Auckland to be seen, Ben wasn't always a standout player, clearly the migration to Auckland served him well, he has clearly been working hadd

What days are the warm up games?

Against Brazil and England on 28 September and 1 October respectively. 

So 29 and 2nd here, sometime in the wee hours I guess.

Were these kids actually from Mount Albert themselves or lured to MAGS for football? If the latter is the case then they were likely to move to wherever it was thought best for their football you'd think.

I'm not sure where Mata, van den Hoven or Sinclair live; Richards is a Hamiltonian. They would have all started school when Fallon was there (I think), so I imagine football was a huge factor.

Not many kids playing 1st XI football, 1st XV rugby and other sports like netball are at schools such as MAGS, St Kents etc because it's their local school - they are there to satisfy egos of principals and school boards who think it's really important to win a local school championship

Van der Hoven started playing football when he was 5 at Metro which is MAG's main catchment club.  He played at Metro till about 12 I think. 

the boys lost 2-1 v brazil in warm up match. mata pen. 0-0 half time. under the cosh second half, humidity took its toll. battled well & had chances to score, though keeper clark made some good saves or scoreline would have been worse. lost practice pen shoot out 5-4. 

Pretty happy with that scoreline to be fair... especially if we did create chances.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/fifa-u17-world-cup-2...

Seen a tweet that says they lost 3-2 to England in second friendly after great England comeback. No other details , but another close one and sounds like they competing well

lost 3-2 to England in 2nd warm up. Conroy Spragg probable scorers but some confusion as shirts and numbers mixed up again to thwart spying eyes. lively affair, had our chances. going early and getting acclimatised is looking like a smart move. 

Goal scorers were Oliver Whyte and Elijah Just.

Playing ok in the first half so far... we have had some good chances, but probably still being shaded. Getting caught out wide a little bit.  

With another ref we would of had two penalties in this half... arms aren't out, but certainly struck!

Goal!

Mata looks very good - also our two CB's are doing well.

Poaching a win is not off the cards.

Good result, the 1-1 draw.  Great goal for us from the free kick, a set play? Having Mata sent off could be crucial to whether we advance or not.

I think Hay will be unhappy we didn't get the 3 points tbh, we had our chances.

arguably Turkey is the top side in the group and on the scale of things a draw is a fair result. They missed some good chance too. A lot of their players already at big clubs in Germany etc.

They beat Italy to qualify... so no mugs.

Lost to Mali 3-0 in their second game

NZ goes to half time with a 2-1 lead, couple oggies by their CB after we conceded early.

Paraguay 4-2 NZ

 - we hit crossbar at 3-2 down in 90th minute before their 4th sealed it in stoppage time.

Paraguay wins it 4-2. We sat back the whole second half and paid the price for a couple defensive lapses. We looked good in the first half, so dunno why we went into our shell. Gotta beat Mali now in the final game to progress.

Looked like fitness to me, we just fell asleep at the back, but I am really impressed with Elijah Just, Liberato Cacace and Charles Spragg - Those three look like bright young players coming through. 

E.Just literally ran is legs off box-to-box, Spragg kept causing soo many problems against Paraguay (He forced the first goal), and if I am honest, Cacace looked like the only comfortable player in the back line in my opinion. 

I also thought Van den Hoven, Conroy and Sinclair looked good, but I could tell Sinclair was struggling for fitness. Palmer and Duncan came on, Palmer caused a lot of physical pressure up front, but nothing really major and Duncan was very energetic, but nothing again came from it - Not saying they are bad players, but they came on in a time where they were unable to make an impact. 

Heres hoping Jones starts over Clark next match, Mata will also return.