New Zealand Men's U-20s

imanixsupporter

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.

LBS is 2 years younger at first sighting than the others you mentioned, we wouldn't expect him to be at that level.

Still, the talent is plainly there to see - how the Nix nurture it is now what's important.

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.

no younger than Irankunda who was quite a bit more impressive also 

Nelfoos

LBS is 2 years younger at first sighting than the others you mentioned, we wouldn't expect him to be at that level.

Still, the talent is plainly there to see - how the Nix nurture it is now what's important.

imanixsupporter

no younger than Irankunda who was quite a bit more impressive also 

Nelfoos

LBS is 2 years younger at first sighting than the others you mentioned, we wouldn't expect him to be at that level.

Still, the talent is plainly there to see - how the Nix nurture it is now what's important.

Two and a half years younger, actually

Yipe do some fact checking IMANS. 

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

Oh no our exciting young player isn’t as good as the best teenage prospect the A-League has ever produced…

Thus far not only is he not as good but not really even particularly close... i'm just trying to balance the hype and expectation a bit, for now. 

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?

Aus squad named, hurry up with ours NZF

Swings & roundabouts. The AWs got named about a week before the Socceroos for those Sept games.

17 of the 23 from the ALM.

Congratulations boys, do us proud at the #U20WC! 💪💚💛 https://t.co/0aKaYBi3xV

— CommBank Socceroos (@Socceroos) September 11, 2025

imanixsupporter

Aus squad named, hurry up with ours NZF

Tomorrow. 

Our squad has been named for the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025, kicking off this month in Chile 🏆🇳🇿 pic.twitter.com/LZy1SDIl9q

— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) September 11, 2025

So excited to watch this squad!

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.


Possible starting 11
Gray
Loke (LB), Dupont, Bulkeley, Putt (RB)
LKH (DM), McKenlay & GSR
LBS, Supyk & Ukich

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. 

Anyone know how Keegan Kelly is going?

HattyCW

Anyone know how Keegan Kelly is going?

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? 

Just

Coveny maybe not going because he is trying to sort out his club future? 

Quite possibly. 
Harry Casci is also at Western United, and was on the tour to Chile a few months ago. Likewise not picked in this World Cup squad.

Just

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.

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.

coochiee

HattyCW

Anyone know how Keegan Kelly is going?

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.

MetalLegNZ

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.

Apparently when they arrive, Chile will be in the midst of a week of National Day celebrations.

Warmup match against the Young Socceroos in Santiago?

The NZ-based U-20 squad are on their way to Chile for the U-20 FIFA World Cup 🏆

Good luck lads! 👏 pic.twitter.com/bCuZNenvaj

— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) September 17, 2025

coochiee

Apparently when they arrive, Chile will be in the midst of a week of National Day celebrations.

Warmup match against the Young Socceroos in Santiago?

The NZ-based U-20 squad are on their way to Chile for the U-20 FIFA World Cup 🏆

Good luck lads! 👏 pic.twitter.com/bCuZNenvaj

— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) September 17, 2025

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)

Just read that. Good simulation for Japan?

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.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/09/18/flexibility-will-serve-new-zealand-well-at-fifa-u-20-world-cup-says-coach/

Greenacre confirmed the squad would play Korea Republic in a warm-up game ahead of the start of the tournament on September 27, 2025.

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.

Smith might be backing up Dupont & Bulkeley. 

At 18 (DOB 4/07/2007) Jayden S is on the younger side, and will still be eligible for the 2027 U20 WC.

Possibly, but he also has more senior mens minutes that the other two no??

Maybe in the Australia Cup but zero in the ALM. 

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.

Are the 12pm kick offs NZT midnight or midday?

coochiee

Maybe in the Australia Cup but zero in the ALM. 

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

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Are the 12pm kick offs NZT midnight or midday?

Midday

Football enthusiast

coochiee

Maybe in the Australia Cup but zero in the ALM. 

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

Sounds like he's likely injured.

Makes sense. 

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. 

Football enthusiast

Makes sense. 

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. 

Was a one-month loan. Looks like Dorchester have since found another GK. Definitely still a Bristol City player.

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.

austin111

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.