New Zealand Men's U-20s

Real shame Thomas is 2 weeks too old.

Howieson as well

And David Browne ineligible.

And Messi is too old and ineligible...

Ryan Nelsen missed this one too by a nose

Rather than who is ineligible, what about the likely make up of the squad. Announcement must be a few weeks away. You would expect only one or two positions would be undecided by now, if that. Given recent selections, what's the list of probables and possibles look like? Kick off is in 7 weeks.

Least we know Jeremy Christie won't be sneaking into this NZ squad at the last minute.

Grown a beard and drawing a pension.

Still reckon Bazeley should take a look at trying out Jama Boss in the squad set-up. Close control, takes people on, scores goals.

They don't seem to be looking closely enough at the u-20 talent playing in college soccer in the USA.

Many of the Wanderers better players have left for college soccer the last couple of seasons.

For example, striker Stuart Holthusen, in my mind one of the few NZ u-17 players to stand out in the FIFA u-17 Finals in 2013.

He seems to have impressed at one of the best soccer colleges, Akron, last season.

(The NCAA season runs August - November)

Holthusen came back to play a few matches for Wanderers in the ASB Premiership over the summer in the NCAA off-season.

Right now Akron are playing pre-season friendlies.

As a 18 year-old freshman, he played 20 games for Akron last season:

http://www.gozips.com/sports/msoc/2014-15/bios/hol...

He was named "Freshman of the Year" in the entire Mid American Conference and made the All-Conference First Team (along with fellow Kiwi Andy Bevin - who is too old for the u-20's) 

http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_...

2014 Mid-American All-Conference Teams
Offensive Player of the Year
Andy Bevin, West Virginia

Defensive Player of the Year
Andrew Souders, Akron

XXX Freshman of the Year XXX    
Stuart Holthusen, Akron

Coach of the Year
Eric Nichols, Bowling Green

First Team
F Andy Bevin, West Virginia
F Pat Flynn, Bowling Green
F Jamie Merriam, West Virginia
F Stuart Holthusen, Akron    

Inside word TV?

It is possible that him and a few others have been allowed to concentrate on their studies etc abroad and not play friendlies, although he has missed a few now. Including one against Brazil which I can't see any one really saying no to.

Hopefully he gets there, we need a quality striker and like mentioned earlier for the u17's he was a step above.

.... in saying that Tim Payne was as well.

Bumped into Stevens yesterday. Has decided against surgery on his shoulder so he can play at the World Cup.

Yeah. Maybe see how he goes v Onehunga Sports next Saturday. Btw Sports' Rufer is a big unit, which surprised me - and he got a nice hat-trick v East Subs last game. Boss v Rufer for a bolter spot? Get on down to Waikaraka D Baz.

Edit: Caleb Rufer is 23 yrs old. Forget him.

Caleb Rufer is at Sports??? Thats odd. I thought he would have been in better leagues. Mind you, he has not really caught on so I guess if he is at Sports, then he is probably not going to go too much further.

I think the issue with US based players not making the squad was the fact they were in pre-season and just come off the off-season. In saying that, Cory Brown still got selected.

Can't find a thread for the U20 WC but have just bought family tickets for 5 June matches in Wgtn: Austria vs Argentina and Myanmar vs NZ.

$74 for 2 adults, 2 children, 2 games, Category B (Aisle 22).

Get in! 

I was surprised how cheap tickets for the final were. Only $75, absolute steal.

Jama Boss's date of birth: 05 03 1994. Too old. Forget him.

There is a whole forum you muppet...

http://www.yellowfever.co.nz/categories/fifa-u20-world-cup-2015/topics

Killkoly from NCR seems to be banging in goals for fun in the Central League think he scored about 8 goals so far this season... could be a goal scoring opption.

Anyone know what the cut-off date is for announcing the squad? One month out?

Can't be too far away surely, also one would image we will have a few more warm up games prior to the tournament.

With NZ Football anything is possible.

Deleted duble post

[quote=watching_from_far]

Killkoly from NCR seems to be banging in goals for fun in the Central League think he scored about 8 goals so far this season... could be a goal scoring opption.

[/quote

]or Blair Bates 6 goals for Roslyn Waikari in 3 games this season both lads part of the original NTC intake back in the day

Well the Aussies are doing the right thing. Even though they missed qualification they have planned a 10 day, 4 match tour, playing U20 qualifiers, New Zealand, Qatar, Panama and Ghana.

Looks  like NZ have games v Aussies on 3 May at Mt Smart, 7 May v Panama (Mt Smart), Qatar on 10 May in Hamilton, as a curtain-raiser perhaps to "NZ Invitational XI" v Ghana U20s.

Young Socceroo squad

Great to watch on Breakfast this morning that 100 000 tickets have been sold so far..wow awesome

100k.....52 matches. How many of the 100k are for the final? In other news, NZF release about the pre tournament games comes a day after A league clubs released the fixture list yesterday when highlighting their clubs' young socceroos selections. No mention at all of when our squad will be announced. Is Hudson still looking for far flung players?

...probably looking for new coaches.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/n...

Looks like kilkollys not in the mix anymore.

he was never going to be in the squad. Not good enough. He has found his level playing for ncr in central league. 

I heard the Qatar team had funded this five nations tournament

interesting comment since it was only 5 days ago that you suggested he "could be a goal scoring option". What's changed your mind?

was a tounge in cheek comment to see what the response would be from those that know him...