New Zealand Men's U-20s

now that's some beautiful footy! Singh had only to place it. Certainly more dangerous without the carthorse Billingsley

This is much better more chances, even Maxime is losing his shark at our players getting in his face

If only Lewis was there not Dyer...

hahahah what a run by Dyer.

great run by dyer

great play so close from Bevan.

Top shot.

Haha Bazely giving Sinclair an earful, good stuff

I'm really impressed by Bevan today, he can certainly control a ball and he looks genuinely composed like he knows what the fudge he's doing.

We are playing some great football upfront.

Great half so far... we have had the better chances.

Hodorus 1 - 0 up.

Despite what looks like a certain loss, by far our best game

We joke about Dyer but he's certainly improved from the last two games, good show by him. Still glad he's getting subbed though :))))))

A bit more self belief and this team can go a long way, we can definitely compete with teams at this level.

exactly! listen to what hudson said, we need to stop thinking of ourselves as underdogs and giant killers no matter what the world thinks because we can definitely compete without that pass.

Nice to hear a couple NZ players been talked up by the commentators for a change.

Hopefully talked up by the world too. Bevan's definitely proven his worth to Vancouver, he might get chances in the first team this season after this. Singh and Rogerson, and ESPECIALLY Woud will have increased their market values a ton

very impressive, structured performance. really hope rogerson, singh etc get a good look in for the nix this year.

Singh, Rogerson and McGarry deserve a massive chance in the first team this year. Hope Would can keep pushing for the first team. Good stuff from Bevan bet he will carve up the USL this year. Great game lads one of the best peformances from any NZ side against a top team.

Honduras 2-0

So USA or Saudi in the next round... and to be fair I don't mind which one as I believe we have a genuine chance of winning the game. We had the equal of that half and maybe even the better of it with some good chances.

I thought we looked a lot more dangerour up top with Bevin and Rogerson with Singh as well playing some nice little 1 - 2's that created space. Bell was hardworking as was Dyer. 

McGarry looked good on the left as well and gives another outlet for attack. 

I just hope we don't see Billingsley come in for the next game at the expense of Singh or Rogerson. We looked so more fluid today.

thanks for the chat chatta guys. I was unable to access a live feed (here in Thailand) so I followed the game via your posts and the espn live scoreboard.

  USA next is it ?

Think it was a great game, probably our best of the tournament so far. Two great goals from France the difference, would have like to see us get one and maybe we should have if taken our chances. Man of the match for me is Woud, was the reason that scoreline wasn't bigger, but saw good things from McGarry, Singh and Bevin too means whoever we come up against on Thursday (probably USA) we are still in with a small chance. 

Is it just me or do half the French team look well over 20? The goalkeeper looks about 35! Singh, Rogerson and Bevan really combined well up front, please keep them for next game...it's all part of our master plan to come second in the group and avoid Italy and play 'easier' USA/Saudi Arabia/Senegal ??

Really impressive despite the result.  I like that we were positive the whole match.  Even when under the pump, I never felt like we devolved to 10 men behind the ball and just hoof and hope to clear under pressure.  Singh, Rogerson, McGarry and Bevan all looked very good at time (and of course Woud).

NZ has developed alot of great young players in the past 2 years, All Whites has a bright future.

Next game is on Thursday 11PM (NZ Time)

New Zealand make round of 16 at Under-20 World Cup despite loss to France

Thought this one one of the best performances I have seen from an NZ team on the world stage. We tried to play football not hoofball and created some excellent opportunities by doing so. Have to congratulate the Phoenix for what they are contributing to NZ youth development. Bell, Rogerson, Singh, McGarry and Sinclair were all excellent in this game. Shame Liam Wood isn't there as CB's were our weakness. My MOM was Bell. Outstanding work rate when France were dominating but showed his passing prowess in the second half.  Good luck for the next round boys. 

Played very well thought; just outdone by some individual brilliance.

CB is our obvious weakness; though that is common at these age group tournaments.

The difference in stature between the two teams physically was stark - French players looked huge, our players looked like midgets.

Excellent performance. Sinclair was very good. Rogerson great, Bevan very good, Singh very good, Dyer did well, McGarry good. Wow that outside of the foot cross!
Well done coaches after we doubted your team could play.

Not today...

USA winning 1-0 and have 3 players suspended for the next round, at this stage they are our next opposition.

USA winning 1-0 with 10 men. Cameron  Carter Vickers (Spurs CB) with red. Huge advantage for us if USA win.

Hey, all you positive people - bugger off. Don't you know that NZ football is doomed?

All we need now is for A Rufer to come on and score the winner v Portugal.

Come at us, Trump.

The control to beat his player, the vision to take that option, and the execution of that cross was one of the most skilful Things I have seen from a nz player ever. (And I watched his dad play as in Dunedin a fair few times !) Maybe hyperbole, but to me it is as memorable as a great goal or great save. Fantastic stuff. Great effort on goal by bevan too, and superb save by the French keeper. A highlight of the tournament so far.

This is true but still don't have many that have pushed on to professional football at first team level which is what we need to improve the All Whites

You can say that about the majority of youth teams, though - even Australia struggles to convert U20s to top players.