New Zealand Men's U-20s

Looking pretty comfortable defensively  - but once we get up the wings in attacking positions our crosses are usually woeful.

NZF must be getting copies of these games for the u20's tp study afterwards.

Would be nice if they imbedded them somewhere so we could all watch.

We are only playing one up top. Not a fan of this system. Too limiting imo.

Cant get it on IE.. only chrome? same address and everything??

Good opportunity wasted by #20 with a shocking cross. Grind looks awful though, ball bobbling everywhere do that could have contributed. O bugger! 2nd goal Croatia 62min

bit weak

Rufer on for ridenton

2-1 to Croatia after some poor NZ defending - Croat player went through about four NZ defenders on edge of the box...

Nothing happened when i clicked third one down. same black screen. ah well 

I thought it was a cleaver goal but the defending was poor. 

10 mins to go.Still 2:1. We are not creating anything at the moment.

Need to get 2 up top and have more targets.

88th minute. We are sending long balls to Trbuhovic and Stevens. 

In typical NZ fashion then

Long throw, fell to rufer. Needed to hit the target from there.

Great chance wasted by Rufer. A long throw in by Messenger , a bit of a scramble in the box, the ball comes to Rufer on the penalty spot, and he misses the target. 91st minute now.

F*ck...Crossbar ! I think it was Tuiloma..93rd min.

And that is the end of the game. Croatia wasted a great chance a few seconds before the final whistle.

Ends 2-1. Just saw NZ goal - was a bit of howler own goal... 

I think whoever becomes the All Whites coach needs to have a say on the style of football to be played at the junior levels because defensive formations and unnecessary long balls are not how we should be progressing now the senior national team is trying to change it's structure. 

This Croatia U20 team isn't the greatest (I'm part Croatian and don't find them mighty impressive) but like you said they have better play in and around the box and that second goal showed what some creativity can do. 

Anyone who can mentor the players in building up attacking play and maintaining possession in and around the box instead of panicking and shooting or doing a pointless cross because of pressure can only be a good thing. Whenever we play quality teams (in seniors as well) that has been the clear difference which was the case under Ricky. Hopefully that influence on the junior teams fades and the technical play increases. 

We shouldn't be aiming to go into the WC next year hoping for draw's and own goals and luck to get us through to the next round because it wont be a good look if we get knocked out in the first round and struggle to score. 

I agree about Rufer. I was hoping last season for Wellington he would show something like Ridenton did when he came on however you could argue he didn't get as many chances. So far it seems like there is more hype around him due to his family and not his own technical ability which I hope he proves me wrong on because he has all the right people around him to succeed. 

See I think Rufer has the technical ability but sometimes takes the risky choice and not the safe choice because he backs himself to make that risky choice. So for me, its about evaluating choices and execution rather than technical ability.

Chinese TV has made all the games except the Brazil game available for you: 

Full games and highlights of Panda Cup here (don't seem to be territorially-restricted either):

http://search.cctv.com/search.php?qtext=%E7%86%8A%E7%8C%AB%E6%9D%AF&type=video&sid&pid

(Use Google Translate to decipher the Chinese script)

NZ v Croatia first half:

(Wait for it to load and advertisement to end)

http://search.cctv.com/playVideo.php?qtext=%E7%86%8A%E7%8C%AB%E6%9D%AF&detailsid=53ed2eb0b67641c0946848674ba5a1d3&aid=VSET100150764364&title=%5B%E5%9B%BD%E9%99%85%E8%B6%B3%E7%90%83%5D%E7%86%8A%E7%8C%AB%E6%9D%AF%EF%BC%9A%E6%96%B0%E8%A5%BF%E5%85%B0VS%E5%85%8B%E7%BD%97%E5%9C%B0%E4%BA%9A%20%E4%B8%8A%E5%8D%8A%E5%9C%BA

Second half:

http://search.cctv.com/playVideo.php?qtext=%E7%86%8A%E7%8C%AB%E6%9D%AF&detailsid=431cf4fbd48944c6b9958dae2acc0c98&aid=VSET100150764364&title=%5B%E5%9B%BD%E9%99%85%E8%B6%B3%E7%90%83%5D%E7%86%8A%E7%8C%AB%E6%9D%AF%EF%BC%9A%E6%96%B0%E8%A5%BF%E5%85%B0VS%E5%85%8B%E7%BD%97%E5%9C%B0%E4%BA%9A%20%E4%B8%8B%E5%8D%8A%E5%9C%BA

Just the highlights NZ V Croatia:

http://search.cctv.com/playVideo.php?qtext=%E7%86%8A%E7%8C%AB%E6%9D%AF&detailsid=aff756b3d70d469b95977ca220b3ec4a&aid=VSET100150764364&title=%5B%E5%9B%BD%E9%99%85%E8%B6%B3%E7%90%83%5D%E7%86%8A%E7%8C%AB%E6%9D%AF%EF%BC%9A%E6%96%B0%E8%A5%BF%E5%85%B0VS%E5%85%8B%E7%BD%97%E5%9C%B0%E4%BA%9A%20%E6%AF%94%E8%B5%9B%E9%9B%86%E9%94%A6

NZ v China Second Half (first half not available):

http://search.cctv.com/playVideo.php?qtext=%E7%86%8A%E7%8C%AB%E6%9D%AF&detailsid=0a205499c8da40708fa69b114baef190&aid=VSET100150749157&title=%5B%E5%9B%BD%E8%B6%B3%5D%E7%86%8A%E7%8C%AB%E6%9D%AF%E9%82%80%E8%AF%B7%E8%B5%9B%EF%BC%9A%E4%B8%AD%E5%9B%BDVS%E6%96%B0%E8%A5%BF%E5%85%B0%20%E4%B8%8B%E5%8D%8A%E5%9C%BA

NZ v China highlights:

http://search.cctv.com/playVideo.php?qtext=%E7%86%8A%E7%8C%AB%E6%9D%AF&detailsid=487b02b3f58648e9afefcd4f134f292e&aid=VSET100150749157&title=%5B%E5%9B%BD%E8%B6%B3%5D%E7%86%8A%E7%8C%AB%E6%9D%AF%E9%82%80%E8%AF%B7%E8%B5%9B%EF%BC%9A%E4%B8%AD%E5%9B%BD1-0%E6%96%B0%E8%A5%BF%E5%85%B0%20%E6%AF%94%E8%B5%9B%E9%9B%86%E9%94%A6

Full game China v Brazil is also on that website.

NZ v Brazil not available.

The squads for the teams NZ u-20 was facing in the Panda Cup:

Use Google Translate (will get the odd strange translation; "vanguard" = midfielder)

Brazil:

Included midfielder Andreas from Manchester United: 

http://sports.sina.com.cn/n/2014-06-03/14207192514.shtml

Croatia:

Included players from Parma, Villareal as well as the major Croatian clubs

http://sports.sina.com.cn/n/2014-06-03/14127192494.shtml

China:

Players from Braga, Ajax, Lyon, St Etienne, Bruges:

http://sports.sina.com.cn/n/2014-06-03/14447192547.shtml

Hey. I will ask our contact at NZFootball to see if we can get hold of copies of the games. Once I find out ill let you know.

Any other questions about the FIFA U-20 World Cup in NZ next year just email me: [email protected] 

How is the team progressing? Are they in training camps or is this coming up? 

So a trip to Qatar on the cards and we are scouting overseas talent as well to fill the ranks.

Good to see.

Paul Seaman ex- Auckland City and Waitakere is one of the two directors at Pulse Premier Football Academies which have venues around Britain. Coach at Solihull is Andy Sinton, former England international and ex- QPR, Sheffield Wednesday, Spurs and Wolves midfielder:

http://pulsepremierfootball.com/about-us

Seaman connection explains why players from this Solihull, Birmingham youth academy and their others seem to get a lot of gigs Down Under (and at US colleges):

http://pulsepremierfootball.com/about-us/success-s...

• Sean Lattimer - Full USA Scholarship with Byrant and Stratton Junior College, Boston.
• 4 players offered USA scholarships from UK Tour 2012.
• Ryan George - full time football and coaching placement in NZ. Flights, Accommodation, and a wage all inclusive.
• 5 players offered placements to Australian State League or NZ League. Flights, Accommodation and a wage all inclusive.
• Jamie Norris and Michael Charles both signed with Shepparton FC in Australia.
• Ivan Madsen from New Zealand trialled with Aldershot, Torquay and scouted by Exeter.

Anyone heard of "Ivan Madsen from New Zealand"? Is he any good?

July 17

We are delighted to announce that popular Pulse Mytchett graduate Matt Kellett-Smith has joined New Zealand Premier Division side Ngaruawahia United FC for the remainder of the season.

GOWAN STARES:

Profile:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Gowan95

Ex-Tawa and Western Suburbs junior in Wellington and captain of Wellington rep sides in Federation tournaments.

A 6 ft 1 in defender. Aged 19

"The Young Englishmen who also holds New Zealand citizenship, has been on trial before with English Premier League sides West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace whilst also trialling with Sky Bet Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion. In the Summer of 2012 Stares relocated back to England from New Zealand joining Cheltenham Town's U19 youth development team run by former professional footballer Gary Stevens and his assistant coach Colin Williams for the 2012/2013 season. He made twenty-seven appearances for the development side in his one season before leaving in July 2013 in search of further professional opportunities. Stares will now link up with The Pulse Premier Academy to work with former England international Andy Sinton as he looks to find himself a professional contract."

Ivan Madsen - ex Wyners, 3 Kings Utd. Avondale College. 

Am I right thinking Hudson will now be in charge? Determining playing style if not actually selecting the squad?. Ditto for the Under-17's? So will he be on the sideline with the ASB Under-20's & ASB Youth shouting instructions? Could be an interesting season ahead.

No indication that that is the case.

Has he been to FTC? 

Is the team picked yet?