New Zealand Men's U-20s

much better second half from NC. Only 2 - 1 down in the second 45 with 6 ish minutes to go.

Yay! No clean sheet for the mericans.  Hope they score another

NC should be proud of their second half. US probably took the foot off the gas a bit but NC were a lot more compact in defense and scored a goal (a gift, but a goal none-the-less). One of the OFC pro teams needs to pick up the NC goalkeeper.

Goal highlights US v New Caledonia

https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/player/0277ccc0-5121-48a8-97e5-9fecbbc3b028?catalogId=02af5ac9-3262-44fa-991c-62bc568997d0&entryPoint=Default

8am NZT

https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/content/egypt-v-new-zealand-group-a-fifa-u-20-world-cup-chile-2025tm-2025/5715278c-1fb9-4b02-a384-6183d1db5125

Google says 9am NZDT

coochiee

8am NZT

https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/content/egypt-v-new-zealand-group-a-fifa-u-20-world-cup-chile-2025tm-2025/5715278c-1fb9-4b02-a384-6183d1db5125

Daylight saving has started here

Same starting XI as we went with against Chile.

No room for error in this one. We need the three points otherwise we can likely think about our flight home - Japan v Chile should be a cracker too later on.

Far out… I ran it into the ground last game, but our midfield gives me shivers sometimes. As soon as McKenlay started giggling during the anthem I got a bit worried

Ah fudge there we go. 1-0 down. Again, very very poor defensive lapses

FFS

How Troy Putt thought he could do a blind turn in the midfield, i don't know.

LBS!!!!!

awesome goal, great build up. Pounds!

Ohhh yes! Wonderful work on the right, perfect ball from Ukich, light work for LBS who taps it in

That was a superb goal for LBS. 1-1

Great work to come back early, well executed 

Lovely ball across by Ukich

Loke!!!!

yeaahhh!! IN front!!! Loke. Wellington youngsters doing the job.

Geez, we want 5!!!!!

YES!!! Loke!!!

Lovely play by NZ. Phoenix lovely cross, for fellow fullback to smash home.

Beautiful wide play so far. So dynamic, great decision-making. loving it

How good our our Phoenix lads?! getting the come back work done!

The centre of the park, both midfield and our defense is starting to concern me - very slow on the turn.

Think we need another body in there in the second half

Ukich is phenomenal man

AucklandPhoenix

The centre of the park, both midfield and our defense is starting to concern me - very slow on the turn.

Think we need another body in there in the second half

By far the biggest weak point of the team. Watson and Middleton provide that off the bench, but they’re raw - only one pro appearance between them. Might go Watson-Gillion in the second half

Keegan Kelly! Very close

LT01

Keegan Kelly! Very close

 Would have been a nominee for goal of the tournament if that wasn't saved!  

Great save by Gray to keep us in front.

Comedy moment a few minutes ago  when Gray yelled out in pain when Egypt player patted him on the head, then got up with a grin on his face.

Gillion! Another good save by Egypts keeper

The boys are doing very well. superb shots by Kelly and Gillion. Great covering tackles by the midfield to deny Egypt chances as well.

Need to watch the late runs of the captain... that's where they look most likely to score.

Really good half of football. 

I feared the worst after they scored early, but credit where credit is due, everyone has stepped up to the plate once again. Keep the foot on the throat for the second half lads because the Egyptians won't be laying down without a fight.

Indeed need to keep creating and keep threatening. Third goal would put us well in control if we can get it. We have the talent and the confidence...

How about that Egyptian dive?? Lol

Thought Loke was quite timid first up against Chile (probably nerves and the occasion to be fair) but even taking his goal out of the equation, I think he's looked excellent for us today. Good long throw on him too by the looks.

More and more happy that he will be the understudy for Payne for this season. He possibly comes into the Nix starting XI for that first match in Perth given the travel that Payney has to do as well.

under the pump a bit in the second half. team is going to get tired soon too. need good early subs (I think we changed someone at half time?)