New Zealand Men's U-20s

Homing pigeons ?

what's app with you lot? 

The games must be soon... i'm sure I ay something about one of the Island teams being in NZ training in prep for a tournament.

They assemble 28 August for a camp and the qualifiers are 3-17 September. The team know who they are but no public announcement yet for some reason.

Thanks for the info. Do you know by chance if Dylan Burns made the side?

No idea who made it other than a few I have heard from my son, who has heard from them directly apparently. Would think Dylan will make it as he featured in the camp and lead up to it

Rumor has it, some big names like Dylan burns have missed out. 

Squad to be announced next week! 

Wrong school?

Big Names miss out...

So long as they have been replaced by better players all good... but I have my doubts!

And are qualified to play for NZ.

And exemptions have been granted. 

Dyer captain?

Having a laugh or serious?

Why would he be having a laugh about that? Don't you think the best NZ player should be captain?

Did I say it was a bad decision? 

Not that I'm saying its a good one either... basically because I don't know any of the players personally so can't make a call on their leadership ability. just know Dyer is a Hudson favourite and often picked on within these forums.

I would say people are taking the shark Metalegnz. However it does raise the question, can 3 players that have been nz reps at the nike chance competition get in the same team. Burns dyer and bevan?

I think people were confused about Dyer being in the AWs, but I don't think anyone would question him being in the U20s

News would

You would expect him to be a standout at U20s level when you read his paper. When you see him play and he is 'just another northern league player' then the reality is different.

Watched Onehunga play a few weeks back and had to ask where he was as he was anonymous on the field. Been given every chance to make a name for himself at every level here. I agree, he should stand out at Northern League level.

Do the other U20s stand out at that level? (Genuine question - I'm not a big follower of club football in NZ #notatruefan)

When we (Birkenhead) played Onehunga a few weeks ago we had a team of under 20's (average 19) and to be honerst everyone of them performed or 'stood out' ahead of the  Onehunga all whites! I would fully expect a player that plays for the national team to be head and shoulders above most of the northern premier league players.....

So Dyer really is dire?

From the rumour mill of the yet to be announced 20s squad, there will be more than few who have not stood out at Northern League level this year included.

At u20 level is also about identifying potential... those we think can grow more.

Have some players at 19 reached their peak?

No player reaches their peak at 19. But that's not the point - the point is to identify how high their peak is, and whether it's worth persisting with, and that usually can be done by the time players are even younger than 19.

Does anyone have a rumour list - just for speculation? 

Someone mentioned a naming of the squad for this week. 

I guess the week is still young in NZF terms and they want to get their fax straight.

All the Phoenix boys who went to the camp, Dyer, Lewis, a number of Western Springs players( 5 ) , Porter from Onehunga . That's the rumours I have heard and was told team was being announced on Monday past , and the week before this originally. Must be some elegibility exemptions pending ... 

Considering the OFC Qualifiers start on 3 September would expect the team announcement any day now as normally rules / regs around the naming of Teams so many days out before the tourny starts.

I would expect that a number of young players that were training with the AWs at Waikaraka prior to OFC Nations Cup will be present. I have no problem with Springs young kids being there because they are pretty good. I know Emblen is the coach but he has bought that lot of kids through too and will know what they can do. No other coach developed them so....

I would be interested in a couple of kids at 3 Kings whom have been ok this year. There is a young lad that plays a deep distribution role whose name I don't know that could be useful but unsure of age.

Enlighten me further please Jeff, I'm not too sure many of the U20's at Springs have been at the club for more than 2 seasons including this season? Also as I understand it the school kids who have made 1st team appearances at Springs this season, rarely if ever train at WSAFC, with schools taking priority

Matt Calcott takes up new role as Cook  Islands. U20 WC coach - Who will he face from NZF

Vanuatu pre tourney camp was at Ole.

As long as S Liddicott is in the team I'm happy

From Piney: