New Zealand Men's U-20s

Would imagine Dyer and Lewis would be picked, and it doesn't take 'Hudson's orders' for them to be. They are clearly two of the country's best players at this age level. Woud, Bevan (who I'm fairly certain is still w/ Nike), Ashworth should all make the squad. Cameron a good chance.

McHenery, Scimia, Walters hard to fathom at this point, even if just because they would be fresh faces. 

Ingham probably a good bet, if the reports that he's in the AW fold are accurate, but I think this wouldn't tie him to NZ - only once you have a competitive senior cap is that the case. (Of course, that may come as soon as three weeks from now).

You'd think Billingsley would be in the mix too - may have missed OFC U-20s as he was getting into his first NCAA season then?

By the look of things this will probably be our most experienced side for a while when you add in Rogerson, Singh and McGarry etc.

Monty Patterson?

Connor Probert - other USA players?

Phoenix academy players?

Anyone know of any other overseas players?

Ole players as well.  Could be a pretty deep class to pick from.

Monty is too old fam. He's born 96. 

Umm Bryce McMillen? - Not sure if still there, but did play for a Belgian side, unsure of age, but I remember he was quite young. 

Also I posted about this player in the past. His name is Matt Blackmore, I played with him in 2014 at Glenfield Rovers U19s. Didn't really know him that well, but he was a good player. All of a sudden he just disappeared and there was all this talk about him being at Brentford, or Gillingham. 

I know Big Pete on this forum did some investigation on it, and found out he was at a feeder team for Gillingham, but I have no idea where he is now? He was born 97, so young enough for U20, but depends if he is in a professional environment. 

Who, outside of the Wee Nix, is excelling in the SS Premiership? Lewis and Dyer will be there. Marowa surely makes it too.

Based on performances Marowa should be there. Jake Porter another establish U20 in SS Prem, as was Joe Bell before he headed Stateside. Liam Williams was an U17 WC player and has been playing for Wanderers. Another couple of U20s have been playing at Wanderers recently, but not in the mix, though Jake Mechell, who got the Nike ticket last year w/o anything coming of it, must be around the edges. Dylan Burns at Tasman also U20; Josh Dijkstra at Southern a keeper. Liddicoat at HBU also already established, Willox at HBU a new face to emerge. Ben Mata with WeeNix, not sure why he missed the Oceania squad.

Liam Jones, Oliver Ceci, Owen Parker Price, Sean Skeens, Wali Mohammadi, Callum McCowatt, Reuben Clark (GK), Christian Woodbridge (GK), Conor Probert, Dane Schnell all U17 WC players from two years ago.

Oceania U20s squad below. 

GK: Woud, Cameron 

DF: Sinclair, Liddicoat, Pijnaker, Ashworth, Johnson, Thomas. Cox

MF: Dyer, Lewis, Singh, Porter, Bell

FW: Rogerson, McGarry, Debenham, Bevan, Imrie

Liam Williams is at a US uni now

Which one?

North Carolina.

North Carolina.

Source

Hmm that post has been removed.

Williams is on his way to North Carolina, yes. Believe his intent is to stay here until after the U20s.

Nah post is still there.... https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ1qXb7gKRgGuohFMrQVS2hCkDvIUESAFJ298A0/?taken-by=liam_williams5

Charlie Devereux plays for Adelaide Utd youth team. Has been capped by Aus at U17 level but was born in NZ

Joseph Champness, Newcastle Jets on loan to Academica Coimbra in Portugal. Also capped at youth level for Aus but is from NZ.

What are the FIFA rules on changing countries at youth level once capped at u-17 level? Is it possible to play for another country at u-20 level?

It would be attractive for any young players with dual Aussie and Kiwi backgrounds like the two you mention and Dane Ingham to switch allegiance to NZ considering that Australia failed for the second time in a row to qualify for this May's u-20 World Cup in Korea despite AFC having an extra place due to hosting it.. (Australia also failed to qualify for the FIFA u-17 World Cup in India in October despite Asia having an extra place due to hosting it).

Man, what an epic year for NZ men's rep teams at all levels!

World Cup qualifiers for the AW's in March, 28 Aug, 5 Sept, 6 Nov., 14 Nov.

Confederations Cup in June for the AW's (plus several decent friendlies)

FIFA u-20 World Cup South Korea May 21 - June 12 NZT:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_FIFA_U-20_World...

Amazingly, Brazil failed to qualify. The only traditionally strong South American countries to qualify are Argentina and Uruguay - Venezuela and Ecuador also qualified.

From Europe, a particularly strong bunch in Germany, France, Italy, England and Portugal.

FIFA u-17 World Cup India in October: Australia failed to qualify for this as well.

South American qualifying, final stage is currently being played. Sensationally both Argentina and Uruguay were knocked out in the group stage. Venezuela went through instead of Argentina, Ecuador ahead of Uruguay.

Yes you're allowed to change once so long as at the time you played for the original country (Australia) in an official competition, you were also eligible to play for the country you wish to change to (NZ). 

I hope we are actively tapping these boys on the shoulder saying, nothing promised but we will look at you. For an Aussie or NZ player these age group tournaments are arguably their best opportunities for exposure and picking up contracts or at least trials.

NZ get France, Honduras and Vietnam...not a bad draw at all, they should fancy their chances to get through. Vanuatu get Germany, Mexico and Venezuela....that's tough 

u-20 draw:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-game/9...

http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/index.html

Group A: Korea Republic, Guinea, Argentina, England
Group B: Venezuela, Germany, Vanuatu, Mexico
Group C: Zambia, Portugal, Iran, Costa Rica
Group D: South Africa, Japan, Italy, Uruguay
Group E: France, Honduras, Vietnam, New Zealand
Group F: Ecuador, USA, Saudi Arabia, Senegal

NZ in the weakest group.

It's great that we're playing Vietnam, Honduras and France in that order (of rising difficulty).

23, 26, 29 May NZT

The top two teams from each group plus the four best third-placed teams go through to the last 16.

Teams could reach double figures against Vanuatu?

Doubt if Vanuatu will score an upset like Fiji did last time against Honduras...

Not much time for NZ to arrange friendlies before the tournament in May.

They might be able to stop over in some Asian countries on the way there.

Seems that Argentina are stopping in Hanoi to play Vietnam on the way to the tournament. 

France begin their build-up with a four nation friendly tournament this month in Brittany: vs. Senegal on 23 March, England u-20's on 25 March and Portugal on 28 March.

France last played two friendlies in November, a 0-0 and a 1-1 draw with Holland.

French squad for those games:

https://www.fff.fr/equipes-de-france/4/u20/dernier...

One of France u-20's most high-profile players is left-back Theo Hernandez of Atletico Madrid who is currently on loan at Alaves in la Liga where he starts every game.

Midfielder Maxime Lopez has been Bill Tuiloma's team-mate at Marseilles reserves for a few years  - until this season when he cemented a regular place in the first team. He was "Ligue 1 Player of the Month" for December.

Striker Marcus Thuram is the son of 1998 World Cup winning defender Lillian Thuram ex Barcelona, Juve, Parma and Monaco, the most-capped player in French history.

Striker Irvin Cardona has appeared for table-topping  Monaco in Ligue 1 this season.

Midfielder Christopher Nkunku has made 14 appearances for PSG this season.

Midfielder Ludovic Blas is a regular for Guingamp in Ligue 1.

Defender Olivier Boscagli appears regularly for Nice in Ligue 1.

So when do our NZ U20s get announced? 

I know its should be sometime in the next few weeks right? 

Any overseas players in contention? 

Michael Woud (Sunderland)

Hunter Ashworth (The American University)

Myer Bevan (Nike Academy)

Henry Cameron (Blackpool)

Dane Ingham (Brisbane Roar) 

Anyone I missed? Anyone also think any of the above won't make it?

Some Senior All Whites such as Clayton Lewis and Moses Dyer also to be named? 

Imagine Lewis and Dyer both go to this.

Biggest area of interest for me is whether Tinashe Marowa and Ross Willox, two U-20s previously off radar who had solid SS Premierships make it. I'd have Marowa, haven't seen enough of WIllox.

Sure, but old mate Huddo says we can't talk like that anymore

Intriguing. Would like to think he wasn't being given a place (and having to pay for???) an under-20 training camp in January if he wasn't eligible.

Do we have any friendlies coming up before the U20 World Cup?

Vietnam are touring Germany, and are playing Gladbach U-23, Schalke 04 U-23, and Fortuna Dusseldorf U-19. 

They then play Argentina in a friendly in Hanoi before the U20 World Cup. 

I would imagine Honduras and France would also have some sort of match preparation booked as well.

A wider squad of 35 (to be cut to 23) has been announced in a very ham fisted  NZF manner

A very strong French team actually started their preparation last month with a four nation u-20 tournament in Brittany:

https://www.fff.fr/equipes-de-france/4/u20/matchs/

Beat Senegal 3-0

Lost to England 1-0

Drew with Portugal 2-2

French squad for those friendlies:

https://www.fff.fr/equipes-de-france/4/u20/dernier...

Mostly from Ligue 1 clubs including PSG, Monaco and Lyon.

Some top players weren't available due to club commitments or injury like Hernandez of Atletico Madrid (on loan at Alaves).

Bill Tuiloma's Marseilles reserve team mate of recent seasons, Maxime Lopez has burst into the first team and has been "Ligue 1 Player of the Month" this season.

Where has this been announced?

I can't find any public announcement.

I can't imagine NZF is publically announcing a list of 35 players - goes against their whole style.

Imagine if the French decide to take Mbappe. He was on fire again this morning for Monaco