New Zealand Men's U-17s

lthomas20

Not gonna lie, am a little worried about the Fiji game and prospective final. Yes we annihilated American Samoa but both our games against reasonable opposition (New Caledonia and Vanuatu) were actually pretty close. Really given the players, opportunities and resources available we should be streets ahead of them. Who is the coach?

Martin Bullock. Looks like Bazeley's younger brother.

Agree think the semi could be another nail biter. De Villers is a prospect.

What number was De Villers - game was on mute.

#21 on the left had some nice skills. I also thought #17 who came on was good - very quick with ball at feet.

MetalLegNZ

What number was De Villers - game was on mute.

#21 on the left had some nice skills. I also thought #17 who came on was good - very quick with ball at feet.

21 was de Villiers :)

17 was Gabriel Sloane Rodrigues - generally regarded as one of our better domestic prospects for a while now, since he was about 13 or so. Extremely talented

Shame for Leuluai

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/new-zealand-pip-vanuatu-with-last-minute-winner/

New Zealand were on the backfoot before a ball had been kicked, with Manchester City defender and captain Marley Leuluai ruled out of the tournament with a shoulder injury picked up at training. However, they welcomed back Luka Coveny from injury and Nicholas Murphy took the captain’s armband.

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/preview-ofc-u-17-championship-semi-final-fiji-v-new-zealand/

You have to hand it to Fiji: they’ve been the most consistent team in the tournament so far. They’ve beaten all their opponents – Samoa, Tonga and Cook Islands by the same margin of 3-0, with the win over the Tongans coming in torrential rain at HFC Bank Stadium.

Their main worry though has been discipline, they’ve picked up five yellow cards and a red in their last two games, so they will need to be wary of that against a New Zealand team that has been defensively solid.

coochiee

Shame for Leuluai

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/new-zealand-pip-vanuatu-with-last-minute-winner/

New Zealand were on the backfoot before a ball had been kicked, with Manchester City defender and captain Marley Leuluai ruled out of the tournament with a shoulder injury picked up at training. However, they welcomed back Luka Coveny from injury and Nicholas Murphy took the captain’s armband.

Coveny looked a decent footballer. Murphy was terrible and looked out of his depth and was rightly subbed at halftime. I'm sure the coaches will get it right for the semi! We are very good up top we should take it by a couple of goals.

Good up top?

I have watched all 3 games and we have butchered countless opportunities. I do think we have got better in terms of our passing and movement as the tournament has progressed, and there is some quality in the middle of the park, but I have not been impressed with our strikers, or finishing on a whole.

We are due some luck (hitting the post and going in, not out etc) and hopefully do win comfortably, but I am definitely a little nervy for this.

coochiee

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/preview-ofc-u-17-championship-semi-final-fiji-v-new-zealand/

You have to hand it to Fiji: they’ve been the most consistent team in the tournament so far. They’ve beaten all their opponents – Samoa, Tonga and Cook Islands by the same margin of 3-0, with the win over the Tongans coming in torrential rain at HFC Bank Stadium.

Their main worry though has been discipline, they’ve picked up five yellow cards and a red in their last two games, so they will need to be wary of that against a New Zealand team that has been defensively solid.

They've also not faced any good opposition thus far. Tonga and Cook Islands apart from American Samoa worst teams at the tournament, then Samoa the only one to win got smashed 4-0 by New Caledonia. 

We've had closer escapes yes against Vanuatu and particularly New Caledonia, but it's really comparing apples and oranges a little bit because they were better opponents. 

Hopefully it can work in our favour because it'll be a huge step-up for them whereas for us they will be similar quality to New Caledonia and Vanuatu. 

So when are we playing Fiji and where can we watch?

Looks like it's 8pm tonight, but is this being streamed?

newzealandpower

Looks like it's 8pm tonight, but is this being streamed?

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/livestream-ofc-u-17-championship-2022-semi-final-2-tbc-v-tbc/

coochiee

newzealandpower

Looks like it's 8pm tonight, but is this being streamed?

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/livestream-ofc-u-17-championship-2022-semi-final-2-tbc-v-tbc/

If you have a compatible device and or want to cast it,
Eleven Sports Global is broadcaster on behalf
All sorts of devices supported
https://support.elevensports.com/hc/en-001/articles/4412501823121-On-which-devices-can-I-watch-ELEVEN-

1-1 with 63 minutes gone in other semi,
New Caledonia just had a pen saved (twice)

And NCL keeper is challenging Andrew Reemayne and Jose Sa for ‘keeper with the biggest beard 

commentary on the stream is class! funny fella.

There's so much talent in the islands. Sad to think how many don't get opportunities. Some unreal players in majority of the teams.

Is a new Academy being setup in the Solomon Islands. Think it will take kids from all the OFC nations. Funded in part by Japanese Govt
https://www.solomontimes.com/news/pm-commissions-siff-football-academy-grounds/11441

So hopefully becomes a pathway for kids from Island teams to get signed overseas. Plus is planned OFC pro club league to start up in 2024?

Bit of a thriller. 1-1 end of NT.

NCL win 4-3 on pens, and book their spot for U17 WC in Peru later this year.
Heartbreak for the Tahiti youngsters, so close to the big stage.

Didn't know it goes straight to pens until I saw that game earlier today. Vanuatu game was a closer shave than I realised. 

Been a lot of fighting talk from the Fijian end of things... first and foremost I hope we win, but if possible, hope we can teach them a real lesson. 

Feels like a proper away game with a partisan crowd and commentator 😂😂

Yessss 1-0!! Great strike Adam Watson!

30 degree heat, but apparently feels hotter. Hopefully cools off as game goes on.

Edit - Adam Watson. Lovely strike

Fiji with an absolute banger

mrsmiis

Fiji with an absolute banger

Slack set piece defending

Isaako definitely not up to it at all over the few games he's played. Poor guy

Isaako got cramp after 11m 27secs....is that an international record? And as i speak hes just white flagged it after 23 mins after chasing the winger. Not good.

Scrappy game so far! 

Jackson Cole at RB looking absolute class. D'Hotman also been great all tournament, him and Gardiner at CB probs our best players so far

Tough game as expected really. 

Not sure we should be playing with only 1 up front, Spuryk (sorry about spelling) often to isolated up top with 2 - 3 defenders on him.

Ended the half well, creating some good opportunities, but lacking any real power on our strikes.

Watson has his brace, wasn't going to miss that 2-1.

Somewhat fortunate goal but earnt it through adventurous attacking play and taking on the shot, time to take control and see this out. 

#13 has come on and made a difference this half.

Having a great spell in the game. Let's put it beyond them with another goal or two. Creating chances for fun, clearly the more skillful team. 

Supyk 3-1! Great breakaway and simple finish. Should be secure now. 

Adam Watson again 4-1! Hat-trick! Fiji all over the place. 

Good advantage by the ref for the 4th goal.

Adam Watson, 3 goals and an a assist.

#14 doing what he did in the last game for NZ - fouling player needlessly.

What's the story with Adam Watson? Kiwi parent I presume. His Northern English  accent as broad as it comes. See he is in the youth system at Stoke City.

Will be one to follow.

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/new-zealand-power-into-u-17-final-through-watson-hat-trick/

WC is not to November, but wouldn't surprise if FIFA find another host. Peru is a right mess at the moment.

Someone laughed when i said we are good up top and should bang in a few against Fiji....well i personally don't think weve seen this much attacking talent before.

Adam Watson is class - he toils all day and makes intelligent decisive runs and he can finish well off both feet. He causes problems. He's going to be a star in years to come.

The other young fella Spuryk? He's not too shabby himself and has some real potential.

They wingers have some flair albiet a bit raw but they are fearless and have moments of real quality.

We are shaky at the back and in midfield we are solid enough.

I think our attacking players will get snapped up at the World Cup.

Adam Watsons old man pretty sure from napier. He played at city rovers early 90s. Dave Watson think he physio at Stoke City... 

Final 8:00 pm Saturday for those interested 
Streamed via Eleven Sports - see post further up