LBS hasn't done anything yet, it is all just hype at this point. Kosta and Rojas and Singh were way more impressive players when we first saw them. Of course I am not saying he won't be as good or better than those guys but I am certainly not expecting that he will yet.
He did more on the ball than most players the first moment he got it, in his first international a game against Australia.
Supporting the supporters and love an away day anywhere in the world. Kiwis Can Fly!
Hopefully the new Brazilian assistant coach takes him (plus GSR & Walker) under his wing, and yes does nuture that talent. I'm sure Kelly Guimarães has seen dozens of talented kids like LBS in Brazil.
The 3 attacking youngsters will have good and bad games. It won't be linear consistent stuff at their young ages. And of course they need to be in a team playing better than last season's dirge.
We watch to see how they go at the U20 WC first.
“He's a really exciting prospect,” Bazeley said of Brooke-Smith on Tuesday, after handing him a debut that made it clear he’s in the mix for next year’s FIFA World Cup in North America, which could end up being his third in the space of nine months – the same feat Football Fern Milly Clegg managed in 12 months in 2022 and 2023.
“I think the challenge for him now is he needs to have a really big season, down at the Phoenix. Hopefully he's after that breakout season, and scores goals and plays a lot of minutes, which is up to him. What we've seen in him is that he's a little bit different to any other players we have. He does have a bit of pace. He does like to take people on. That's something that we're probably missing in our squad.
“He's a little bit of a wild card, so we added him late to the squad, knowing that if a moment came like this, you can throw somebody out like that onto the pitch.
“Sometimes no-one's sure what's going to happen – Aussie and us. He had a couple of moments tonight where he excited the crowd and showed glimpses of the player that he may become.”
Irankunda - DOB 09/02/2006 Brooke-Smith - DOB 08/06/2008
Could LBS be at Nestory's level in 2.5 years? Maybe. Cross fingers and toes it happens. He'll definitely to be a better player than now, and at a higher level than the ALM. Nix fans enjoy him whilst you can.
I think he was meaning when both of them debuted... not his age now.
IMANIXSUPPORTER is right IMO - out of the two, Irakandu was definately more eye catching when he debuted in the A League. More dynamic, and also more petulant.
Yeah, note the past tense in my comment, though to be fair I wasn't that clear. Was indeed meaning when Irankunda burst onto the scene at Adelaide at the age of 15/16
Yes he's a 'project player' for now. But after a pretty limp AWs performance Tuesday, his debut is a welcome good news story.
This U20 WC will be another measuring benchmark for him. How good is he against many of his world peers.
Though it will be a mixed yardstick as he will be one of the younger players, plus with the U20 tourney being played a few months later than earlier additions, is going to be a big number of the world's most talented 19-20 yr old staying with their in season European clubs, aka Tyler Bindon.
A lower quality U20 WC compared to previous tourneys?
No AKH. Wonder if he was not fit enough, or just not picked. Gray and Wallis (both at Championship clubs) are two top prospects.
Casa-Grande the bolter, is the 3rd keeper. Bristol City U21s. Has been in Welsh U19 camps, and was trialling at Yeovil Town back in July. Currently on loan to Dorchester Town (English 7th tier). So no slouch it seems.
Luka Coveny injured? Captained the U19s last year, and voted player of the OFC qualifying tourney.
No Marley Leulaui. Ditto Ricky Fransen, who is apparently on a first Team Contract at WSW. Lots of CB competition.
So you have some very useful footballers like Wallis, Walker and Jayden Smith only on the pine.
Putt was almost the best player when NZ toured Chile in May. So I'd stick Loke on the left and make room for LKH by putting him at DM, where he played alot for the Nix last season. The midfield does seem potentially the weak spot of this U20 team. No 2019 Joe Bell equivalent?
I'd also put GSR in as a AM, as I think he's played there a bit?? If no he's better wide on the wing, Gillion or Middleton to come into starting midfield I guess.
No idea about his college stuff, but he came off the pine in the 2nd Chile U20 game, when Supyk took a knock. And from memory he did some clever stuff to force a corner that the team (Bulkeley?) then scored their goal from.
Coveny maybe not going because he is trying to sort out his club future?
Haven't got the match log to hand (I'll have a dig around for it) but Coveny was injured for a large part of the Victorian NPL season (knee).
He mssed a good couple of months at the back end of that campaign, so likely still injured, or hasn't fully recovered. Similar situation for Alby Kelly-Heald who was fighting to get fit for this, but has obviously missed the cut on that front as well.
No idea about his college stuff, but he came off the pine in the 2nd Chile U20 game, when Supyk took a knock. And from memory he did some clever stuff to force a corner that the team (Bulkeley?) then scored their goal from.
Nothing flash a regular starter and is just going about his work.
Some decent prospects missed out, so a bit more pressure on this lot to perform??
Putt is a RB, but I'm sure he played more advanced in the Chile friendlies.
Yeah I think he did but he's playing RB for Minnesota II in the MLS Next Pro, and this team already has plenty of good wide attacking players. Ukich, LBS, Walker & GSR. Walker wasn't fit for those Chile matches.
Personally I think the best use of LKH in the U20s could be as a DM.
Oh and Putt could be a break out star of this tourney. Seems to be rated at Minnesota already.
NZ are playing a match against South Korea at some stage between now and next Sunday, likely to be one XI for 45 and a largely-changed XI for the other 45. Putt also will not be playing right back (and Kelly-Heald almost certainly won't be playing midfield)
Don't the mens U20s have the best consistent record of any national team? Making the knockout phase at the last four U20 WCs?
I think without an easier opponent from CONCACAF in their pool this time, that record is at risk. Chile & Japan will be tough you'd think. A win over Egypt the target to be the best 3rd placed team??
So Loke & LKH the full backs with Coulibaly as cover? Putt as a forward. Midfield looks a weakness, but is going to be some useful forwards on the pine to hopefully come on and make an impact the 2nd half of games.
Some exciting ballers amongst LBS, GSR, Putt, Walker and Ukich.
LKH on the left - is this to give the team some added size as opposed to Loke who would offer a more mobile option. That shift one would have to assume is down to the style of play/expectation on formation etc.
I would be worried about mobility personally looking at our potential backline (Smith and LKH are slow turners etc).
Glad to see Putt will play further up. He looked quality in the Chile games. With GSR and LBS in the middle/up top we have a pretty exciting forward line.
Even if we don't win - I think we will at least be seen as trying to play football the 'right' way and with positive intent.
Actually I see Dupont is only 17 so even younger than Smith! Seems like he’s impressing the folks at West Brom. Him and Bulkeley more “in season” than Smith
Actually I see Dupont is only 17 so even younger than Smith! Seems like he’s impressing the folks at West Brom. Him and Bulkeley more “in season” than Smith
Pity Luka Coveny is not there.
How come he hasn't been picked? Looks like he's been released? But surely you back your captain from the OFC championships regardless of where he's playing
Actually I see Dupont is only 17 so even younger than Smith! Seems like he’s impressing the folks at West Brom. Him and Bulkeley more “in season” than Smith
Pity Luka Coveny is not there.
How come he hasn't been picked? Looks like he's been released? But surely you back your captain from the OFC championships regardless of where he's playing
Says on Transfermarkt that Cas-Grande is playing for Dorchester in England, and joined on a free transfer (Not a loan). The NZ Football graphic says Bristol City.
Says on Transfermarkt that Cas-Grande is playing for Dorchester in England, and joined on a free transfer (Not a loan). The NZ Football graphic says Bristol City.
I see FIFA has increased the compensation for clubs who have players at the mens 2026 WC by 70%. Now 300 million euros, so a bit of cash for the Nix. Do the offer compo for the U20s WC? The Nix would score with our 9???? players.
I see FIFA has increased the compensation for clubs who have players at the mens 2026 WC by 70%. Now 300 million euros, so a bit of cash for the Nix. Do the offer compo for the U20s WC? The Nix would score with our 9???? players.
There is no club solidarity programme for age-group world cups.
+4
