Back to Forum

New Zealand Men's U-17s

4460 replies · 1,015,132 views
2 months ago · edited 2 months ago · History
5-1
The switch has been flicked now. 

Clegg assists Reuben Lee Sang with a driven cross that finds its way to the back post. Nice finish.
Permalink Permalink
Endorsed by
PK
2 months ago · edited 2 months ago · History
This ref certainly not afraid to show a yellow card. Must be about the fourth or fifth one he's dished out to us.

Followed by another yellow card a minute later - That's the sixth. Very soft...
Permalink Permalink
Endorsed by
PK
2 months ago
YoungHeartHM wrote:
Deserved goal for Trenberth, although not too sure what the keeper was doing there. 🤔

Wouldn't mind taking the kid on as a scholarship player at the Nix tbh. Take the LBS route son!
By my count he’s made 10 appearances for the Ressies this CL season (including nine starts) - not sure about last season but Greenie will certainly have the measure of him.
Permalink Permalink
Endorsed by
PK
2 months ago
Pitch looks very hard and bouncy.
Permalink Permalink
about 2 months ago · edited about 2 months ago · History
Kastrinakis with a rainbow flick in the corner after four minutes. Bullock will be screaming

Shot from a tight angle with multiple open in the box too - looks very talented, but these are the kind of things ironed out with age
Permalink Permalink
Endorsed by
YoungHeartHM
about 2 months ago
Only watched 5 mins, enough to see the 2nd goal. Main takeaway is the pitch is awful.

FIFA/OFC have got to improve the pitch standards in the Islands, to see any real progress in bettering technical football skills in the region.
Permalink Permalink
about 2 months ago · edited about 2 months ago · History
6-1n win over Tahiti. Into the semis.

Bullock called it a mixed performance. Vanuatu then the semi.
Permalink Permalink
about 2 months ago
15' | NZ 3 - 0 Vanuatu
Going to get really ugly for Vanuatu if this keeps up. 

First was from a lovely cross from the right hand side (Reuben Lee Sang) and flicked in neatly by Cashmore. 

2nd - From a long ball over the top, not dealt with by Vanuatu and Cashmore gets a toe to it.

3rd - Another long ball. Missed header at the back and Cashmore latches onto it for a 10 minute hattrick.

Permalink Permalink
Endorsed by
PK
about 2 months ago
4-0 - Goalkeeping error, drops a cross from the right hand flank and it falls at the feet of Cashmore who has all four.

Permalink Permalink
Endorsed by
PK
about 2 months ago
Ben Trenberth on next. End score 7:0.
Permalink Permalink
about 2 months ago
NZ to play PNG in the semis. Win that and their place at next year's annual U17 WC is locked in.
Permalink Permalink
Endorsed by
PK
about 2 months ago
0-0 approaching H/T.

We seem to be in too much of a rush to try and get forward and it just looks like we're trying to crack them open at every opportunity, when it might be a better option to just slow things down and control the ball a bit better.

PNG scrambling well, but the way both teams are playing definitely suits PNG more than it does us.


Permalink Permalink
about 2 months ago · edited about 2 months ago · History
Tuning in late at 85 mins. 
NZ only 2-0 up, so obviously alot tougher than their pool games.
0-0 until 50 mins

At least PNG will get a crack at OFC's 3rd spot at the U17 WC when they play the Solomons in 3rd/4th playoff.

NZ will play Fiji in the final. Fiji edging SI on pens (0-0 in NT) in their semi.

Edit - last kick of the game Cruz Pietersen sneaks in to score, and 3-0. He got a hat trick to be the star 

Edit 2 - last one maybe an oggie??

Qualify for 2027 U17 WC. Aaron Clapham on the coaching staff.

Coach Bullock saying they had to modify the game plan because the Port Moresby pitch has deteriorated further. Fair enough, it does look bad. Again OFC need to work to improve the pitches.
Permalink Permalink
Endorsed by
PK
about 2 months ago
Ref has been honking, the amount of clear fouls he is letting go!

NZ guilty of some, but PNG have gotten away with almost everything.
Permalink Permalink
about 2 months ago · edited about 2 months ago · History
A Cruz Pietersen hattrick sends New Zealand to the 2027 U17 World Cup!


Permalink Permalink
Endorsed by
PK
about 2 months ago
Solomons beat PNG on pens to finish 3rd and join NZ & Fiji at next years U17 WC.

Tough on PNG who easily gave NZ their toughest game.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2026/07/26/solomon-islands-to-join-new-zealand-and-fiji-at-fifa-u-17-mens-world-cup/

Play-off for 3rd
Solomon Islands 1 (Andrew Kabolo 84′)
Papua New Guinea 1 (Matthew Sopo 66′)
*Solomon Islands win 4-1 on penalties

Final
Fiji 0
New Zealand 5 (Zach Cashmore 2′, Davi Valles Dos Santos 36′, 81′, own goal 45+1′, Jack Clegg 76′)
Permalink Permalink
about 2 months ago
Their captain Ben Trenberth, from the Phoenix Academy got the golden ball award for the tournament. 
Sign him to the A League Chris Greenacre. If not now, then next year.
He's listed as central midfield as with Anaru Cassidy but they should bring him in because he's showing promise already at a younger age than Anaru.
Maybe give him a deal for 4 seasons to develop.
Debut from the bench, train with the 1st team. Then get more regular minutes from season 2.

Permalink Permalink
Endorsed by
Simon B
about 2 months ago · edited about 2 months ago · History
20 yr old Cassidy has a bit a size about him, and so I think alot more ready to handle the physical demands of the ALM.

But for sure Trenberth and Clegg are ones to watch. They are only 15 ain't they?
Have they played much senior football in Central League?
See whether South Island United can take them on loan for the OFC Pro League, from early 2027?
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1577701754386633&set=pcb.1577701814386627

12 months ago Ethan Dyer won last year's OFC U16 tourney Golden Ball. He has just debuted for Sydney FC in the Australia Cup.
Permalink Permalink
Endorsed by
PK
about 2 months ago · edited about 2 months ago · History
2 goals each at Central League for Clegg & Trenberth, think they've just made the step up this year. Nathan Walker (3) the only Nix player with more this season.

Ben Trenberth - 9 starts + 1 bench
Jack Clegg - 3 starts + 2 bench
Permalink Permalink
Endorsed by
PK
about 2 months ago
coochiee wrote:
20 yr old Cassidy has a bit a size about him, and so I think alot more ready to handle the physical demands of the ALM.

But for sure Trenberth and Clegg are ones to watch. They are only 15 ain't they?
Have they played much senior football in Central League?
See whether South Island United can take them on loan for the OFC Pro League, from early 2027?
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1577701754386633&set=pcb.1577701814386627

12 months ago Ethan Dyer won last year's OFC U16 tourney Golden Ball. He has just debuted for Sydney FC in the Australia Cup.
Yes, he could think about OFC Pro League for 1 season. That would guarantee him game time.
Permalink Permalink
about 2 months ago
I like the look of this Valle dos Santos kid. Do we think he'll get some time with Macarthur's A-League team?



Permalink Permalink
Endorsed by
PK
about 2 months ago
Wibblebutt wrote:
I like the look of this Valle dos Santos kid. Do we think he'll get some time with Macarthur's A-League team?
Yes, I hope so. 
Permalink Permalink
about 2 months ago · edited about 2 months ago · History
Big wraps from those in and around the club for Trenberth (16), Clegg (16) and Pietersen (15) who are also students at the New Zealand Performance Academy Aotearoa - Or the Wellington Phoenix charter school (alongside Bancroft and Amyes).

Those three were easily the prominent performers across the OFC Championship (Kumar, Lee Sang, and Cashmore looked decent too imho) and hey, it looks like we're about to sell a guy we brought in at 16 years old and we're seemingly going to sell him for several hundred thousand $$$ to Portsmouth over in England, so why not try and find the next one?

Worth noting here too that Cruz Pietersen was also the winner of the Auckland x AFC Bournemouth experience after last December's Western Springs U17 tournament. But because he was too young to satisfy FIFA rules he wasn't able to attend - He was 14 at the time! They are monitoring his progress to see if they can get him over the future though. Some good people have kept him in Wellington too, because he is an Auckland lad and wanted to move back North... Hopefully this is the catalyst for him to make a name for himself with the Nix at the very least.

Get the scholarship deals lined up for all these kids, get them playing regularly for the ressies and in and around the first team and watch them go to the next level.
Permalink Permalink
Endorsed by
coochieeduNelfoosPK+3
about 2 months ago
All true but LBS physically was way advanced as a 16 yr old

Either genetics (his Dad was a top level British BMX rider) and/or 10 years LBS himself doing elite BMX

Is a photo from behind of LBS about to enter I think a Cambridge FC Northern League game as a 15 yr old, and his torso just looks huge for a kid. The photo was taken for a reason! 

He’s not a bench mark 16 yr old. Most need a few years to adapt to bumping bodies with grown men in the pro ALM (or any pro league)
Permalink Permalink
12 days ago
Under 17 squad named to travel to Japan for an international tournament where they'll play against Niigata, Myanmar and hosts Japan later on this month.
HRF2__WasAEt4O1.jpg 427.53 KB
Good to see these tours happening more regularly given the annual nature of U17 World Cups now.

We visited Japan for pretty much the exact same tour back in 2023. On that occasion playing Niigata, Japan and Venezuela.
Permalink Permalink
Endorsed by
PK
12 days ago
Good idea for exposure. Let's hope this gets these Phoenix juniors a bit more ready for the A League next year. With Luke Brooke Smith, GSR, Supyk gone. Should get a few and Roa Conchie deal ends by next year, so Ben Trenberth.
Permalink Permalink
11 days ago · edited 11 days ago · History
Selection backs YH's theory (for want of a better word) that the Nix could dominate ongoing NZU16/U17 selections.

Due to the Nix having a proper inhouse Academy that brings in young kids.

But then with national team U19/U20s selections it evens out more between AFC & the NIx. 
I mean by U19/U20s of the above list Blackhall, Carter, Nunez & Thomas could all be signed to AFC Reserves (Squires).
Permalink Permalink
Endorsed by
SouthernixYoungHeartHM
11 days ago
coochiee wrote:
Selection backs YH's theory (for want of a better word) that the Nix could dominate ongoing NZU16/U17 selections.

Due to the Nix having a proper inhouse Academy that brings in young kids.

But then with national team U19/U20s selections it evens out more between AFC & the NIx. 
I mean by U19/U20s of the above list Blackhall, Carter, Nunez & Thomas could all be signed to AFC Reserves (Squires).
I believe all 4 have more than one foot in the door with AFC.  

Makes sense that Nix dominate u17 for the reasons outlined.  For u19/20 the pendulum has swung back a long way to AFC given the current selection. 

AFCs model of bringing in 17/18/19 year olds allows them to see what young men they have grown into. Young footballers can change dramatically from 14 to 18 and the AFC model benefits from having that visibility. 

The NIx academy is a wonderful thing and has developed some outstanding footballers.  But now their is competition for talent and they need to adapt to the challenge.  

While it's good to show loyalty to those that have been through the nix system there needs to be, at times, that the promising 14 year old they signed 4 years ago hasn't kicked on to be a dominant 18 year old.  With the current process we are missing out on talented 17/18/19 year olds as they haven't been through the system. 

The only tweak I would make to the academy would be to have a wider pool of selection for the reserves rather than focus on who is coming through. AFC has training camps for young players for a couple of years before they are likely to sign.  Perhaps Nix could adopt something like that as well so come reserve selection we are bringing in the best available rather than the best of what we have worked with. 

The A league reserves derby in the National league this year is going to an interesting barometer of the two relevant approaches.
Permalink Permalink
11 days ago · edited 11 days ago · History
I remember post the U17 WC  a few years back (pre AFC) the Nix Academy brought in Matt Foord, Gardiner, Walker and one other from that U17 NZ team

LBS was also recruited from outside the Academy after being recommended by Ricki H

But the presence of AFC now makes that so much harder. Especially for any kids based say Taupo north

The Bidois boys are from Tauranga. Riley came to the Nix as a teenager. But AFC started up and so younger sibling Jonty went there

But yeah maybe each summer the Nix Academy could play a few U17 type games in the Sth Island as a scouting exercise. See ChCh United got 2 guys in NZU19s. You’d hope the Nix are looking at both of them
Permalink Permalink
Endorsed by
Brdu
11 days ago
coochiee wrote:
I remember post the U17 WC  a few years back (pre AFC) the Nix Academy brought in Matt Foord, Gardiner, Walker and one other from that U17 NZ team

LBS was also recruited from outside the Academy after being recommended by Ricki H

But the presence of AFC now makes that so much harder. Especially for any kids based say Taupo north

The Bidois boys are from Tauranga. Riley came to the Nix as a teenager. But AFC started up and so younger sibling Jonty went there

But yeah maybe each summer the Nix Academy could play a few U17 type games in the Sth Island as a scouting exercise. See ChCh United got 2 guys in NZU19s. You’d hope the Nix are looking at both of them
Good idea re some U17 games in south island.  I'd also extend it to Taupo and waikato/bop as prob a bit harder for players there to get in front of AFC compared to the Auckland based players who regularly attend AFC session.  We certainly need to cast the net a bit wider. 

RE Walker in today's environment he would probably have gone to AFC as he was Auckland based. The game had changed and we need to change with it. 

And full credit to the academy for developing the boarding house and the charter school to get young players there earlier.  They are clearly working to make it possible for more young players to be able to come. 
Permalink Permalink
Endorsed by
PK
11 days ago
Ricki’s Academy is based at Cambridge. He obviously let’s the Nix know about talent in the Waikato

Permalink Permalink
Endorsed by
PKSouthernix
11 days ago · edited 11 days ago · History
coochiee wrote:
Ricki’s Academy is based at Cambridge. He obviously let’s the Nix know about talent in the Waikato

 
One of his players will join Western Sydney Wanderers academy this year. Credence Rihari Ryan.
Permalink Permalink
Endorsed by
Brcoochiee
11 days ago · edited 10 days ago · History
coochiee wrote:
Ricki’s Academy is based at Cambridge. He obviously let’s the Nix know about talent in the Waikato

 
Ricki's academy has grown for sure and has a portion of the waikato talent.  Tauranga in particular is a bit more off the radar from the Ricki coverage.  A talent like Van Fitzharris maybe should have been on the Nix radar if we are relying on Ricki's academy in the region we will miss plenty of young talent.

The rest of central north island also doesn't seem to have an obvious pathway so perhaps AFC's model of U17/18 camps would be something Nix could pick up.  Not saying we have to copy everything AFC do but if there is a gap in our talent aquisition then this could be an obvious fix.
Permalink Permalink
10 days ago
PKB wrote:
 coochiee wrote:
Ricki’s Academy is based at Cambridge. He obviously let’s the Nix know about talent in the Waikato

 
One of his players will join Western Sydney Wanderers academy this year. Credence Rihari Ryan.
Credence is an outragous talent that has already played 1st team Football for Cambridge.  Missed out on NZ U16s so was a bit miffed with NZ Football hence the decision to head to Western Sydney.  Believe the family has spent some time in Australia.

Could be one that got away.  Having said that, he could make NZ16s next year as well so hopefully they get him in.
Permalink Permalink
10 days ago
Hoping for a Credence Commbank Revival then

Valley FC til I die?

Permalink Permalink
Endorsed by
duscribblerSimon BSouthernix
Back to All Whites, Ferns, and other international teams Forum Home Back to top