New Zealand U-23s - Quali Whites

T Smith has a cold.

No announcements?

Just wondered about the 2013 u20 players, they would all be eligible,:

Goalkeepers: Scott Basalaj, Max Crocombe, Daniel Clarke, 

Defenders: Storm Roux, Bill Tuiloma, Simon Arms, Luke Adams, Alec Solomons, Liam Higgins

Midfielders: Tom Biss, Cameron Howieson, Tim Payne, Jesse Edge, Justin Gulley, Rhys Jordan, 

Forwards: Hamish Watson, Tyler Boyd, Louis Fenton, Van Elia, Ryan Thomas, Dale Higham,

 any picks apart from obvious ones? maybe Gulley? Adams? Watson?

The goal keepers will be interesting. Tzanev obviously became first choice for the U20s but you'd think Basalaj and Crocombe would make it too.

Saw first 60 mins at the Springs before weather turned nasty. 2-1 when I left to NZ. Adams header, Lewis shot into corner. Emblen drive spilled by Tzanev. Most of the U-20's plus Fenton, Adams, Rogerson, Higgins, Solomans ... Bit of mix and match... e.g. Rufer played first half for Springs, second for NZ. Same for Solomons (I think). Rufer up front at last, and looked better for it. Still can't head a ball IMO. Blake right back for Springs all game. Burfoot best on the park for me, with his vision plus control.

NB Hudson calling all the shots.

Hudson *is* the coach of this side, after all

whats Hudsons experience of playing in the island's? Different world over there.. Climate, refs and the islands style of play

That doesn't mean they are good oposition

Um... I found Tahiti to be a rather nice environment.

They played the Tahiti national team (Senior) twice and (Argie U20) won both games.

Wrong.

It was a senior team against the U20s, in Argentina most of those kids have never played in their senior teams, just in the reserves

Plus, well, Argentina U20s didn't exactly come and set the World Cup alight did they? So using the fact that they lost to the Tahiti national side in Tahiti as proof that good teams struggle in the islands might not be a watertight argument

Sail, Fenton and Rufer not going to Fiji with the Nix because of u23 commitments but Ridenton is.

How can he be a u23 bolter yet not even in the under 20 squad???

More surprised with Doyle.

Don't they want players to compete in the u20 tournaments just once?

You can only play in one age group tournament per year now.

Rogerson could have played, but perhaps they thought he could make a bigger impact at u17 level so opted for that instead?

He didn't play WeeNix last week. Don't know about this week.

Hailemariem in for Fiji tour so must have missed Olympics (was in Auckland for the camp), shame he was quality for wenix and offers something different up front

On as second half sub Saturday for NZ in Olympic squad trial at Western Springs.

So when will the squad be announced?

The squad has not been anounced yet but the Galpoly Mustangs website already says Kip Colvey is in it

Ah. Wondered who he was.

didn't he play u17 few years back. He played at onehunga sports lasf year and was rubbish. 

Who?

Wrong, never played for Onehunga

Everyone says he is a good kid and judging by the weird shark going on at NZF, its more than likely that the coaching staff across all teams have no clue at all.

Alternatively, considering we have hardly seen him in the last year, could it be that he has plateaued? Its an interesting question.

Ridenton:

I'd argue extenuating circumstances. 

Was injured for a fair chunk of the later season. He looked quite good when I saw him at ASB level in early season - more linking play and a little bit of creative play. This was with either Rufer or Gulley a bit deeper though helping out. 

I think Ridenton was below par in his appearances at U20, but in fairness who was any good in the first 2 games? Even the Ukraine draw was fairly lacklustre. No particular stars.

I'm totally disregarding the RB experiement - hay zeus - it was a fudgeing 'mare. Watching from the stands he was totally at sea (positionally) and I felt sorry for him.

Still think I have seen enough in first season of Nix off the bench and ASB prem to say that he has potential to be a good A-League player. Just needs development. Can see him being a A-Rod type player. Potential issue is that A-Rod is also young.

I agree with you liberty. I was more asking questions and starting a conversation. I am really surprised that he has not popped up more in conversation considering he is one of the few full time professional footballers at his age that we have. Its funny how so many teams wanted him and the Phoenix got him, now none of the national sides want him. I just find it amazing that no one across 2 age group NZ teams think he is good enough.

Which other teams wanted him? Also, Hudson is the only one picking NZ mens rep teams now, so it's only one man's view. The kid's a good player, Ernie thought so; just didn't have the opportunity to play him (or Rufer) last season.

Wanderers and ACFC was my understanding.

Not denying he is a talent, just asking why no one is playing him (the Phoenix I understand but 20s and 23s???)