Frustrating- a broadcaster here must have picked up the coverage because I got geoblocked on Fifaplus this morning and I’m no further along figuring out what kind of player Stipe Ukich is.
It seems like we didn’t play our way to a win either? But we held on, with defenders and Gray working overtime?
Still goals looked impressive on the highlights and Greenie’s got our kids playing well in time for the A league. Is Sloane-Rodrigues not arriving as the talent that was promised? Too many contracts too early?
But I remember some story from early 2024, that GSR's family (remembering his Brazilian dad is a football coach in Hong Kong) were almost threatening to have him leave the Nix, and have him try his luck somewhere overseas.
That was sort of the rumour at the time. I guess the club have to sort of way up the potential lost transfer fee income, if he did go on to be a classy youngster, and scored a European move. In other words they may have felt like they had to offer him a scholarship deal early, otherwise he was leaving.
May have this wrong, but wouldn't surprise if was some half truths about this at least. Lets see how he goes over the Nix season. Hopefully he's fit & injury free this time. He's had big wraps going back a few years now.
Frustrating- a broadcaster here must have picked up the coverage because I got geoblocked on Fifaplus this morning and I’m no further along figuring out what kind of player Stipe Ukich is.
It seems like we didn’t play our way to a win either? But we held on, with defenders and Gray working overtime?
Still goals looked impressive on the highlights and Greenie’s got our kids playing well in time for the A league. Is Sloane-Rodrigues not arriving as the talent that was promised? Too many contracts too early?
Stipe looks a very good player, the standout from the two games so far, superb on the ball - at some point vs Chile he plucked a high ball out of the air with a perfect touch, while under pressure in their box - for some reason I thought he played for AFC and I was gutted that they had such a talent. Not sure how much football he's played for his actual club as he was clearly gassed in the second half both games though.
Re the second half, I don't feel we reverted to a typical backs against the wall hoof it long style of play. There was still intent to play positive, but the Egyptians just seemed to want it more while the Kiwi U20's looked a bit shellshocked - loose passes, slightly too long on the ball, panicked passes to no one in particular. Given 10 of the 11 on the field at the time had given it all against Chile (and many coming from an A-League pre-season), it might have been mental/physical fitness playing its part.
The thing that is bugging me most, is that watching the U20's and the way that they play is that while I don't think Baz is doing a bad job with the seniors, the U20's really do play (outside of most of the second half) way more than the sum of their parts. A cohesive unit with a clear game plan, playing attractive football. Can we see more of that long term, at the senior level please?
NZ may never have the most technical group of players to pick from but we produce some phenomenal athletes (across all sports). I was going to say I don't know what we put in the water, but realistically I work for the water regulator so maybe I could analyse the content :D
Aus lose 3-1, having got back into it at 2-1. Only to concede in the 94th min, captain Esposito failing to shepherd the ball out on the byline, and an Argy attacker snuck in to create the 3rd goal.
Edit - actually make it a 4-1 loss. A 4th even later goal on the counter for Argentina.
Remembering Australia won AFC U20 Cup tourney earlier this year for the first time ever.
Just shy of 22 years since Australia last won a game at an U20 World Cup...
Those goals in added time are a killer if they're looking to get that 3rd spot. Going to need a big victory against a plucky Cuban side to put themselves in contention.
A cuba/australia draw would be preferable for nz. Would leave us only needing to finish above one of the other 4 groups' third placed teams to make the 16dick le roc returns
coochiee
Young Socceroos trail Argentina 2-0 at HT. Earlier today in their group, 10 man Italy drew 2-2 with Cuba.
Looks likely Aussie will have to beat Cuba in their last game to have any chance of progressing.
America just beat France 3 - 0... late goals, but based on stats they were the dominate team any way.
I wonder if it makes the New Caledonia result a little bit of an outlier? Noting USA beat France in a friendly earlier this year, so are clearly a decent side.
Looking forward to their 12pm game today to see how they fare.
Down 1 nil after 30. They're probably better than they give themselves credit for. They've won the ball at well, found space but then seem to panic after finding themselves moving forward.
NC look dangerous when on the attack and they had a great chance to open the scoring in the first minute. Their keeper also did well to keep the score from being even higher.
With their participation in this tournament and their senior team in the intercontinental World Cup qualifying they are obviously the number 2 Oceania team. It’s therefore a crying shame that their civil unrest has led to them not being represented in the new Oceania professional league.
Hopefully some of their players can secure spots in the other squads.
With their participation in this tournament and their senior team in the intercontinental World Cup qualifying they are obviously the number 2 Oceania team. It’s therefore a crying shame that their civil unrest has led to them not being represented in the new Oceania professional league.
Hopefully some of their players can secure spots in the other squads.
Yes hopefully a NC club/franchise along with the Phoenix Reserves can be added into the OFC League soonest.
Though their senior team has alot of players living & playing in France (plus one in Israel). Most of the other Island nations are going have de facto national teams in this OFC League.
Working on the idea we finish 3rd with three points.
Group B If either Sth Korea or Panama win we they will finish 3rd with 4 points and higher than us with three.
Group C If Morocco beat Mexico tomorrow, no matter the other result we will beat their third best team on points. However, with Morocco already having qualified and guaranteed first - they may play a 2nd string team. If this happens, a good chance their third place team will end up on 4 points.
Group D We need Aussie to either beat or draw with Cuba to do better than their 3rd best side. Aussie with a -4 goal difference would need a big win to move past us on 3 points, assuming we don't get rolled by Japan with us having a 0 GD currently.
Group E With New C in this group, 3rd place will beat us purely on GD no matter what.
Group F We need Colombia to beat Nigeria by more than Japan beats us (assuming they do) and for Norway to beat Saudi.
In reality - that error by Grey has put us in a bit of a tight spot. Unless we win or draw tomorrow, 3 points is not likely to be enough to go through.
With their participation in this tournament and their senior team in the intercontinental World Cup qualifying they are obviously the number 2 Oceania team. It’s therefore a crying shame that their civil unrest has led to them not being represented in the new Oceania professional league.
Hopefully some of their players can secure spots in the other squads.
Yes hopefully a NC club/franchise along with the Phoenix Reserves can be added into the OFC League soonest.
Though their senior team has alot of players living & playing in France (plus one in Israel). Most of the other Island nations are going have de facto national teams in this OFC League.
South Africa totally messed up their 1st game against France (2-1 defeat). They got no chance against US team who look really solid with MLS 1st team players.
Although this South African squad won the AFCON U20 tournament with only 1 European based player, South African fans are going to be pissed off as there are at least half a dozen + players who are far better (than current squad) and couldn't be released by PSL and European clubs for this tournament.
But then that goes for every nation at this tournament.
We've delivered a credible tournament to date and played some good football, Japan are the best team in Group A but they're likely to rotate, all we have to do is draw then we are basically through no matter what.
Fail to do so, then yes on 3 points you're totally at the mercy of other results.
I think in this instance, it would be a weird rock paper scissors tie scenario on head to head (the first tie breaking criterion), and next would be head to head goal difference across the games between the three teams, which would again be tied, so we would be taking second place on head to head goals scored across the games between the three teams, as we have scored 3 in games against Egypt & Chile while they both would have only scored 2 if it finishes 1-0 to Egypt.
This would be such a cool way to qualify, on the third tiebreaking criterion, especially if we lost heavily to Japan and ended up with the worst goal difference.LT01
Don't forget head-to-head is in play - if Egypt sneak a cheeky 1-0 win over Chile, it guarantees us advance in 2nd place 😁
South Korea leads Panama 1-0 at half time. This increases the likelihood of us needing a point today. Come on Panama, get a second half equaliser please
South Korea leads Panama 1-0 at half time. This increases the likelihood of us needing a point today. Come on Panama, get a second half equaliser please
South Korea leads Panama 1-0 at half time. This increases the likelihood of us needing a point today. Come on Panama, get a second half equaliser please
