New Zealand Men's U-20s

Austraia apparently running trials for an U18 tour and U20's.

Will be interesting to hear how many Aussie based kiwis are invited to trial. With both teams having qualified for the WC our pull may not as be as strong as it would had been otherwise??

7 Nix players. AKH would make it 8 if fit.
Auckland with 5.

Promising news that Henry Gray is available, hopefully a good sign he'll also be released by Ipswich for the World Cup.

James Mitchell is a CM.
https://theniche-cache.com/football/2025/2/20/auckland-fc-have-unveiled-their-very-first-mens-reserves-squad

Eastern Suburbs got a bit confusing last season because they already had James Mitchell with them as a homegrown talent, then they added Luke Mitchell as an U20s loanee from Hamilton Wanderers (no relation). But it’s James Mitchell that’s signed with Auckland. JM is listed here as a midfielder but of his six starts for the Lilywhites during the 2024 National League, five were as a central defender. Where, by the way, he was fantastic. Reads the game really well. Good defensive instincts. He did get to play the last game of the campaign in midfield so perhaps that’s his favoured position and he was simply getting in where he fitted in. Either way, that’s good versatility.

Henry Casci is also a midfielder and plays for Western United's U23 team
https://wufc.com.au/news/western-united-academy-stars-recognised-on-presentation-night/

https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/153591?newsfeedId=1275608

coochiee

7 Nix players. AKH would make it 8 if fit.

Promising news that Henry Gray is unavailble, hopefully a good sign he'll also be relaesed by Ipswich for the World Cup.

is Nathan Walker to old for this cohort?

19 yr old Walker must be injured. He did come off are being clattered in the Darwin match.

Other Nix guys to miss out include Dylan Gardiner,  Lachlan Candy, Daniel Makowem and Anaru Cassidy. The last 3 having been in & around the first team from memory.

Interesting that midfielder Fergus Gillion (Liam's little bro) has been picked, when I don't think he has as yet been near the Nix first team. But maybe that's a sign that this U20 team is a bit light in midfield.


Edit - by my maths only 5 players are there from the U17 team at their WC in 2023.
Coveny, Dupont, GSR, Ukich and Supyk.  Walker was also at that World Cup

Edit 2 - oh and as AV pointed out recently Bindon would actually be eligible for this WC. But you can't see Forest releasing him, and fair enough.

Happy just to see Ipswich release Gray for these Chile games.

Optimstic this U20 team will do better than the side that went to Argentina in 2023. A side who's age cohort had their development & buildup disrupted by the Covid years

Hey look! We’ve signed Gillion!!!

Dupont's signing is interesting. Has just signed a pro contract (but what does that actually look like), as he is still maily playing underage footy when you have Ruben & Max Argent (Perth) Gardiner (NIX Reserves) Fransen (WSW Reserves) all playing in senior men competitions.

I'd rate the above leagues over u18 footy and u21 footy.

With Dupont and Smith we would potentially have the youngest CB pairing at the u20 WC by quite a margin, if they were to be the top two picks.

Dupont sounds very promising. He's only yes 17 (18 in October), but he might be closer to the West Brom first team than we know. It's a proper 2 year senior pro deal he's been signed on. Played against a few National League sides (English 5th tier) for the WBA U21s

Greenacre would have done his research.

From what I can see James Bulkeley (20) and utility Adama Coulibaly (20) are the other 2 CBs named in this 21 player squad for Chile. They could well be the starting pair. You also have LKH, plus James Mitchell was apparently playing as a CB for Eastern Suburbs in the NRL last year. Now more a DM at Auckland FC reserves?

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/04/29/age-group-international-noah-dupont-signs-pro-deal-with-english-club/#:~:text=New%20Zealand%20age%20group%20international,club%20since%20he%20was%20six.

Of DuPont, Stevens (WBA Academy Manager) said: “As a centre-half, you need certain qualities, and Noah has those. He’s strong, competitive, has a good frame, which will make him a really good, modern-day defender, and he’s shown he can cope against the levels above his age group.

“Training with the first team when they’ve needed players, playing for the 21s and particularly when they’ve competed in the National League Cup, he’s shown he can play against men and stand up to those challenges.

coochiee

Dupont sounds very promising. He's only yes 17 (18 in October), but he might be closer to the West Brom first team than we know. It's a proper 2 year senior pro deal he's been signed on. Played against a few National League sides (English 5th tier) for the WBA U21s

Greenacre would have done his research.

From what I can see James Bulkeley (20) and utility Adama Coulibaly (20) are the other 2 CBs named in this 21 player squad for Chile. They could well be the starting pair. You also have LKH, plus James Mitchell was apparently playing as a CB for Eastern Suburbs in the NRL last year. Now more a DM at Auckland FC reserves?

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/04/29/age-group-international-noah-dupont-signs-pro-deal-with-english-club/#:~:text=New%20Zealand%20age%20group%20international,club%20since%20he%20was%20six.

Of DuPont, Stevens (WBA Academy Manager) said: “As a centre-half, you need certain qualities, and Noah has those. He’s strong, competitive, has a good frame, which will make him a really good, modern-day defender, and he’s shown he can cope against the levels above his age group.

“Training with the first team when they’ve needed players, playing for the 21s and particularly when they’ve competed in the National League Cup, he’s shown he can play against men and stand up to those challenges.

I saw that press release as well - looking forward to seeing how they all go. Definately a better cohort of players than our last u20 lot IMO.

coochiee

Dupont sounds very promising. He's only yes 17 (18 in October), but he might be closer to the West Brom first team than we know. It's a proper 2 year senior pro deal he's been signed on. Played against a few National League sides (English 5th tier) for the WBA U21s

Greenacre would have done his research.

From what I can see James Bulkeley (20) and utility Adama Coulibaly (20) are the other 2 CBs named in this 21 player squad for Chile. They could well be the starting pair. You also have LKH, plus James Mitchell was apparently playing as a CB for Eastern Suburbs in the NRL last year. Now more a DM at Auckland FC reserves?

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/04/29/age-group-international-noah-dupont-signs-pro-deal-with-english-club/#:~:text=New%20Zealand%20age%20group%20international,club%20since%20he%20was%20six.

Of DuPont, Stevens (WBA Academy Manager) said: “As a centre-half, you need certain qualities, and Noah has those. He’s strong, competitive, has a good frame, which will make him a really good, modern-day defender, and he’s shown he can cope against the levels above his age group.

“Training with the first team when they’ve needed players, playing for the 21s and particularly when they’ve competed in the National League Cup, he’s shown he can play against men and stand up to those challenges.

Bulkeley and Luka Coveny were the starting pair at the OFC U-19 Championship last year. Coulibaly has been picked first and foremost as a right back and Kelly-Heald first and foremost as a left back. When you consider that those two could also play CB, then think of the Argent brothers, Fransen, Gardiner (but possibly more so Seth Karunaratne, who went to the OFC U-19 Championship out of the Phoenix ahead of Gardiner) and of course Tyler Bindon, it's an incredibly strong CB pool. The Argents, DuPont, Fransen and Smith will all be eligible again in 2027 as well.

Luka Coveny. Of course.

U20 WC draw to be made tomorrow morning.

https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/how-watch-fifa-u-20-world-cup-chile-2025tm-draw

Squad must be leaving (or have left) for their two warmup games in Chile.

The first match will be played on Thursday 5 June NZT (Wednesday 4 June local time) at Complejo Deportivo Quilín.

The second match will take place on Sunday 8 June NZT (Saturday 7 June local time) at Estadio Bicentenario de La Florida.

Both games will kick off at 7:30am NZT (3:30pm local time).

The All Whites are also playing on the 8th at 1100 am. Looks like it will be a busy morning 

NZ got Chile, Japan and Egypt in Group A.. brutal 

Yeah that's a tough draw. It's only a 24 team WC, so there ain't many minnows there.

The Young Socceroos drew Argentina, Italy and Cuba

Ironically we are about to play the Chileans. Then across the Andes the Young Socceroos are playing some warmups next week in Argentina!!

New Caledonia got France, USA and CAF champs South Africa. Gulp

https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/u20worldcup/chile-2025/articles/draw-results

Group A: Chile, Egypt, Japan, New Zealand
Group B: Korea Republic, Panama, Paraguay, Ukraine
Group C: Brazil, Mexico, Morocco, Spain
Group D: Argentina, Australia, Cuba, Italy
Group E: France, New Caledonia, South Africa, USA
Group F: Colombia, Nigeria, Norway, Saudi Arabia

Is that a horrible draw? 

I guess we'll see how good Chile are in the friendlies. Yes there could've been a better draw, but at least we avoided the big guns (Spain, France, Brazil) who all finished first/second in their respective competitions. 

Chile really struggled in that U20 South American cup, I'm sure it was much more competitive than our OFC competition. 

Egypt only came 4th in their Africa cup of nations despite being the host nation. 

Looks like Japan came 3rd in the 2025 U20 Asian cup, will be a good side. 

This is definitely a decent draw considering we weren't able to have New Caledonia in the same group as us, pretty hopeful that we can qualify for the round of 16 here. 

NZ have a pretty abysmal record vs South American teams, and they’re much better then NZ.. Japan always look a class above when NZ play them in all levels, not sure about Egypt

Football enthusiast

Is that a horrible draw? 

I guess we'll see how good Chile are in the friendlies. Yes there could've been a better draw, but at least we avoided the big guns (Spain, France, Brazil) who all finished first/second in their respective competitions. 

Chile really struggled in that U20 South American cup, I'm sure it was much more competitive than our OFC competition. 

Egypt only came 4th in their Africa cup of nations despite being the host nation. 

Looks like Japan came 3rd in the 2025 U20 Asian cup, will be a good side. 

This is definitely a decent draw considering we weren't able to have New Caledonia in the same group as us, pretty hopeful that we can qualify for the round of 16 here. 

Nixieboys222

NZ have a pretty abysmal record vs South American teams, and they’re much better then NZ.. Japan always look a class above when NZ play them in all levels, not sure about Egypt

Football enthusiast

Is that a horrible draw? 

I guess we'll see how good Chile are in the friendlies. Yes there could've been a better draw, but at least we avoided the big guns (Spain, France, Brazil) who all finished first/second in their respective competitions. 

Chile really struggled in that U20 South American cup, I'm sure it was much more competitive than our OFC competition. 

Egypt only came 4th in their Africa cup of nations despite being the host nation. 

Looks like Japan came 3rd in the 2025 U20 Asian cup, will be a good side. 

This is definitely a decent draw considering we weren't able to have New Caledonia in the same group as us, pretty hopeful that we can qualify for the round of 16 here. 

Is there any team in the WC that NZ have a good record against bar NewCal?

NZ has beaten Honduras twice, and Guatemala once, the other wins was vs Norway and Myanmar.. so you could make an argument that Central American teams NZ is probably stronger then and have a good record (2w 1D)

Football enthusiast

Nixieboys222

NZ have a pretty abysmal record vs South American teams, and they’re much better then NZ.. Japan always look a class above when NZ play them in all levels, not sure about Egypt

Football enthusiast

Is that a horrible draw? 

I guess we'll see how good Chile are in the friendlies. Yes there could've been a better draw, but at least we avoided the big guns (Spain, France, Brazil) who all finished first/second in their respective competitions. 

Chile really struggled in that U20 South American cup, I'm sure it was much more competitive than our OFC competition. 

Egypt only came 4th in their Africa cup of nations despite being the host nation. 

Looks like Japan came 3rd in the 2025 U20 Asian cup, will be a good side. 

This is definitely a decent draw considering we weren't able to have New Caledonia in the same group as us, pretty hopeful that we can qualify for the round of 16 here. 

Is there any team in the WC that NZ have a good record against bar NewCal?

Yes I was hoping we would draw Cuba. 
Snuck into CONCACAF quarters as a 3rd placed in their pool, and then bet Honduras on pens in their QF to make semis and WC qualification 

Australia’s luck

Yeah fair enough Cuba would've been ideal, but I don't think its the difference between a very tough draw and an easy draw. 

I think we have to appreciate that 2/3 teams will always be very very tough games for NZ, but I don't think in the group we have there is an "Outstanding" team, based on their previous results anyway. We'll have a better gauge after the Chile games

Are these 2 games on FIFA+?


The men’s U-20 team will face Chile over two games in the Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile.

The first match will be played on Thursday 5 June NZT (Wednesday 4 June local time) at Complejo Deportivo Quilín.

The second match will take place on Sunday 8 June NZT (Saturday 7 June local time) at Estadio Bicentenario de La Florida.

Both games will kick off at 7:30am NZT (3:30pm local time).

https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/153591?newsfeedId=1275608&newsfeedPageNum=1

coochiee

Are these 2 games on FIFA+?


The men’s U-20 team will face Chile over two games in the Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile.

The first match will be played on Thursday 5 June NZT (Wednesday 4 June local time) at Complejo Deportivo Quilín.

The second match will take place on Sunday 8 June NZT (Saturday 7 June local time) at Estadio Bicentenario de La Florida.

Both games will kick off at 7:30am NZT (3:30pm local time).

https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/153591?newsfeedId=1275608&newsfeedPageNum=1

 There is no NZ broadcast as yet.

See that for the World Cup, NZ will play 2 of their 3 pool games in Santiago, and the other in the nearby holiday resort/port city of Valparaiso

For the many cultured types on here there are sites in Valparaiso dedicated to Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. He won the 1971 Nobel Prize in Literature, and is one of the most famous Spanish Language poets.

A staunch commie & bohemian, lots of rumours he was poisoned on the orders of dictator Pinochet. But Neruda did have cancer at time of death.

https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/35a71bef3ce6b0a/original/FIFA-U-20-World-Cup-Chile-2025-Match-Schedule.pdf

Not quite as cultured, but Valparaiso also features in H. P. Lovecraft’s gothic horror The Call of Cthulhu - along with Dunedin.

andrewvoerman

coochiee

Are these 2 games on FIFA+?


The men’s U-20 team will face Chile over two games in the Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile.

The first match will be played on Thursday 5 June NZT (Wednesday 4 June local time) at Complejo Deportivo Quilín.

The second match will take place on Sunday 8 June NZT (Saturday 7 June local time) at Estadio Bicentenario de La Florida.

Both games will kick off at 7:30am NZT (3:30pm local time).

https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/153591?newsfeedId=1275608&newsfeedPageNum=1

 There is no NZ broadcast as yet.

Still no news of a NZ broadcast?

First match 7.30am (NZT) tomorrow.

coochiee

andrewvoerman

coochiee

Are these 2 games on FIFA+?


The men’s U-20 team will face Chile over two games in the Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile.

The first match will be played on Thursday 5 June NZT (Wednesday 4 June local time) at Complejo Deportivo Quilín.

The second match will take place on Sunday 8 June NZT (Saturday 7 June local time) at Estadio Bicentenario de La Florida.

Both games will kick off at 7:30am NZT (3:30pm local time).

https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/153591?newsfeedId=1275608&newsfeedPageNum=1

 There is no NZ broadcast as yet.

Still no news of a NZ broadcast?

First match 7.30am (NZT) tomorrow.

Appears not. Was told it might be on Pluto.TV locally if anyone wants to fire up a VPN and see, and there should be highlights/goals footage after.

Why isn't it being picked up by Fifa+??

MetalLegNZ

Why isn't it being picked up by Fifa+??

It’s a Chile production, not NZF. Believe NZF were trying to get access, but seemingly to no avail. Those recent U17 friendlies were a FIFA show hence why they were there.

MetalLegNZ

Why isn't it being picked up by Fifa+??

Edit: Double post

Hopefully there is some live updates on Twitter. Will probably depend how the game is going!

The men’s U20s in training ahead of a two match international friendly series against the U20 FIFA World Cup hosts Chile 🇳🇿🇨🇱 pic.twitter.com/0077IqZ39B

— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) June 4, 2025

You would have to think since we are in their group, that the true value of these friendly games diminish a little.

Can’t see either team showing much 

Both sides are probably looking at each other as the team to beat to progress - so I think getting a couple wins and a little pyschological edge over the opposition will be valued by both sides.

Knowing you've already beaten the other side recently should give you confidence.

I did note I could find info regarding the next game online, but not the first one which makes me think last nights hit out was very friendly, with the main focus for both sides being the second hit out.

1-0 Chile at the half

edit: 3-1 win for Chile in the end. Hopes up for game 2

mrsmiis

1-0 Chile at the half

edit: 3-1 win for Chile in the end. Hopes up for game 2

Any idea who scored our goal?

Simon B

Not quite as cultured, but Valparaiso also features in H. P. Lovecraft’s gothic horror The Call of Cthulhu - along with Dunedin.

I'm always struck that that story mentions a boarding house on West Street, Auckland (off K' Road, now mostly demolished for motorway), which really was the dodgy part of town back then. HPL did his research.

They are just friendlies, and you'd expect nearly everyone to get a game to show their wares.

But I'd imagine Gray, LKH, LBS & Supyk would all start in a full strength side. Perhaps Coveny & Ukich. Plus Walker when returning from injury.

Here is how the men’s U-20 team start in their behind closed doors match against FIFA U-20 World Cup hosts Chile, kicking off now.

We will be posting the full time score and images from the game after the match. pic.twitter.com/jp8RTbyOHU

— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) June 4, 2025

Seems Friends of Football (up there with Niche Cache for quality articles) have got some limited info on the game from Chilean FA socials.

Loke obviously subbed on, as he didn't start.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/06/05/new-zealand-u-20s-lose-3-1-to-chile-in-behind-closed-doors-international/

New Zealand’s U-20 men’s team have lost the first game in their two-match series with Chile.

Played behind closed doors at Complejo Deportivo Quilín, Santiago, the Football Federation of Chile reported their side won 3-1 with goals from Nicolás Carcamo, Rodrigo Vásquez and an own goal.

We’ll update this story when more information becomes available.

The match was not streamed, and New Zealand’s goalscorer has not yet been confirmed.

The Football Federation of Chile says the second match to be played on Sunday (NZT) will be open to the public and will be broadcast on the local Chilevisión service.

The match is not yet listed with streaming service FIFA+.

The two-match series is being used to help both teams prepare for the FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup to be held in Chile later this year.

NZ goal scorer still a mystery.

This one closed doors. Be interesting to see if is much of a crowd for Game 2, and the starting lineup.

Young Socceroos play Argentina in BA tomorrow (Friday)

📸 from the U-20s 3 - 1 loss in a behind closed doors match against Chile this morning in Santiago 🇨🇱 pic.twitter.com/bgABJf9Gn7

— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) June 5, 2025

Forgot to post yesterday. I believe NZ goalscorer was LBS. Good goal apparently but I haven't seen the footage