Pretty similar story to last game, some decent moments of interplay followed by an awful giveaway and getting pummeled on the counter. Looking much better today though
This is apparently a reserve Japanese side too. Jesus
Yes, the keeper is the only first-team member of this Japanese call-up. That keeper is also not available today. Today's game is an opportunity for the Japanese side to challenge for selection for the World Cup.
Japan has 25 times our population and take their football seriously, Proper academies with quality coaches, challenging the kids to their limits against fit for purpose opponents. As opposed to NZ where outside the elite half the kids are training twice a week for 8 months of the year. And our elite are a lot thinner on the ground so competition is not as Intense. The main method we have of testing our kids is playing them in senior competitions, which is a different ball game altogether. Japan senior side also gave Germany a demonstration this week of how building football from the bottom pays off after time. And while outclassed, they are not ‘totally’ outclassed. It’s not an appalling result for our kids.
Not sure how closer we were to our strongest line up, but we were poor. I watched the full 90, and whilst it got better as the game went on (number 8 added a little etc) we were never at the races.
We seem to be really lacking a creative spark, someone who can drop in between the lines. All of our forwards make the same runs, in behind, no sharp changes of pace or angles to confuse the defenders - just straight runs.
The passing from the backline was poor on multiple occassions - and should have cost us at least 2 goals. The frontline was able to drop inbetween the lines and turn constantly to run at us as no one in the backline ever followed the attacker dropping in.
Japan is a good side - but we were poor and have a lot of ground to make up to be competative. Not forgetting they lost 3 - 2 to Venezuala who are in our u17 pool.
Where are some of the stronger players gone from the NZ qualifying squad in Fiji?Bring them back. Matt D'Hotman, Jesper Edwards, Ryan Lee, Harrison Tisch ??
Tonight's live streaming at 21:15 pm NZ time New Zealand U17 vs Venezuela U17 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k05wMd_eO6w
Thank you for your posts the past couple of days. 👍
Will be interesting to see how we fare in this one. World Cup group stage opponent, so I wonder if we see a bit of a cagey affair with both sides not wanting to give too much away? I would take a much improved performance over the first couple of games for starters. For Niigata we we're pretty bad, did the basics poorly and got punished. Japan, well even their 'B' side had a lot of quality, but I feel we put in a better performance overall. Now with a couple of matches in the legs, I'm hoping we see more of a complete performance against what will be a quality outfit. Possibly the last chance to make a claim for inclusion in the squad to Indonesia, so plenty on the line in that respect as well.
Whatever happens, I've got an early start tomorrow so I won't be able to vent on here too late if it all turns pear shaped. 😅
Tonight's live streaming at 21:15 pm NZ time New Zealand U17 vs Venezuela U17 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k05wMd_eO6w
Thank you for your posts the past couple of days. 👍
Will be interesting to see how we fare in this one. World Cup group stage opponent, so I wonder if we see a bit of a cagey affair with both sides not wanting to give too much away? I would take a much improved performance over the first couple of games for starters. For Niigata we we're pretty bad, did the basics poorly and got punished. Japan, well even their 'B' side had a lot of quality, but I feel we put in a better performance overall. Now with a couple of matches in the legs, I'm hoping we see more of a complete performance against what will be a quality outfit. Possibly the last chance to make a claim for inclusion in the squad to Indonesia, so plenty on the line in that respect as well.
Whatever happens, I've got an early start tomorrow so I won't be able to vent on here too late if it all turns pear shaped. 😅
Good luck to the kids nonetheless.
I was posting here for the first time because there seemed to be little information on the men's U17s in Japan. It was good to be able to leave good information here.
A writer specialising in Japanese youth said that this humidity and heat must be hard for the players coming from New Zealand in the winter. There were a number of leg cramps among the players, and I could see the difference, as the Japanese players are used to this heat in Japan. As someone mentioned, I think they might struggle when they go to Indonesia, but I don't think their performance was bad, just that their movement was slow. There were 21 finalists. Only 18 players were called up this time, but I hope that they will have time to look at other players anew, so that they can make a better selection of players, including those from the past.
I am looking forward to tonight's game against Venezuela, as it will be a game that neither side wants to concede.
Ughh undone by a fast break down the left wing and the CB's lose the only Venezuelan making a run into the box and he slips it in unopposed at the near post.
Summary of the first half so far. Game being played more in the middle ⅓ and up our end. We've done bugger all of note, and when we do get into relatively decent areas we just turn it over with a poor pass or hit the first man on a cross.
Venezuela have been the better team and have had the better chances, although apart from the goal nothing else has been particularly clear cut, in the meantime we haven't managed a shot in anger.
Overall, their players seem to have more time and seem to want the ball at their feet, and are happy playing it around. A few of our guys are trying hard, but there is simply not enough support or impetus in the middle of the park, or going forward for the Venezuelans to be worried - a lot of one out attacks, but nothing of substance to write home about I'm afraid.
Passing and ball retention from us has been pretty poor on what looks like a slightly bumpy pitch as well.
Anyway, that's my shift for the night. Looking forward to waking up at 4.30 and seeing a 5-1 comeback win for the lads (😅) - Really build that confidence up before we take them on in Indonesia in a couple of months!
In exactly one month’s time, 24 teams will convene in Indonesia for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023™, the first FIFA competition to take place in the country. ➡️https://t.co/L483pkUhTBpic.twitter.com/lBxfk7xXaP
