OFC U-23 Championship (Des vs Apiathy)

Hosted the 2007 Pacific Games. Personally don't think the footballing facilities are anything special. Across both the Men's and Women's competitions I think all the games are being played across 2, possibly 3 fields, so I'd imagine those fields would almost be in shreds after the competition finishes. 

Into the dry season at the moment with temperatures into the high 20's, but like anywhere in the tropics they do like a good burst of heavy rain now and then which will likely just exacerbate issues with the pitches. I'd rather the Nix youngsters give this one a miss to be honest. Would've thought Rogerson with his recent injury troubles would be a bit weary about it all too, but good on him for putting his hand up for it.

you forget that one of the ways Blatter ensured votes was pouring money into places like Samoa

https://www.footballsamoa.ws/development/fifa-goal...

They have a pretty good set up in regards to football these days

Oh well. That's great news. A bloke who couldn't make a mark in social football in Germany is available. Rejoice!

Zac Jones is the only Phoenix player involved, as far as I'm aware. None of those four were ever considered. The big ? is can they get those four (and anyone else eligible who signs between now and then) for the Olympic qualifiers (which start 3 weeks before A-League R1 and ends 6 days before it).

Umm this social football that FC Carl Zeiss Jena play is the same league that everyone is losing their minds about Singh joining.

Rogerson was injured for most of the season.

Would you say same about Clayton Lewis??? Effectively not broken into 3rd tier English football

Yes, but Rogerson spent most of the time with Jena's reserves, who play in Oberliga Sud (5th tier). And he didn't impress there too much either, so...

But also got dropped from the first team within his first few weeks there.

Given that his fellow forwards in this team will be northern league or NCAA players, he'll be alright, depending what shape he's in.

...and he won't have to hang around for the finals.

New Zealand U-23 squad for Pacific Games

Goalkeepers
Cam Brown (Central United)
Ellis Hare-Reid (Ayr United)
Conor Tracey (Central United)

Defenders
Jordan Spain (Cashmere Technical)
Sean Liddicoat (Coastal Spirit)
Robert Tipelu (Onehunga Sports)
Jackson Brady (Christchurch United / California Polytechnic State University)
Jorge Akers (Miramar Rangers)
Dylan de Jong (Eastern Suburbs)

Midfielders
Billy Jones (University of Nevada, Las Vegas)
Dane Schnell (Western Springs)
Jake Porter (Onehunga Sports)
Stafford Dowling (Onehunga Sports)
Sean Cooper (Onehunga Sports / University of California, Davis)
Lachie McIsaac (Birkenhead United)

Forwards
Ollie Whyte (Rio Ave FC)
Logan Rogerson (Unattached)
Seth Clark (Cashmere Technical)
Ihaia Delaney (Western Suburbs)
Byron Heath (Lower Hutt City)

Fixed

so how many of these players will involved with the actual Olympic quilifers? I'm not recognising many names... 

I almost find it a waste of $ sending a team over to Samoa, if realistically only couple are going to play later in year. Yeah nice for boys say they played but if some haven't kicked on by now then what's the benefit in the long term? 

However if this resembles the quilifers squad then fear enough

Quite apt.

You beat me by seconds Boxey.

Byron Heath? injured I believe and hasnt played in some time, Jackson Brady? Who is he? How are players selected for this to even attend a camp? Are players who have played internationally prior now not available? Just miffed as to how a squad comes about and transperency behind the selection process

More than half of the squad is from outside the NRFL. 

There will be more to come on this when various people at NZ Football speak to media on Tuesday, but I believe the processes for this particular tournament has created a few roadblocks.

It's either, 

a) A big waste of money, on a bunch of guys who will mostly become Handy Prem footballers at best. Hopefully they are flying cattle class, and tenting on some nice Apia beach, or

b) A scary insight in a severely weakened team to attend the Olympic qualifiers, later in the year. If so don't think the Island nations will need to resort detective work on any NZ player eligibility offences, to get to Tokyo. OFC have clearly scheduled this tourney in the most unsuitable date range for NZ. Obviously enjoyed it that we didn't get to Rio and want a repeat dose.

or c) a good opportunity to give some fringe players international experience and help broaden the pool of potential internationals 

With 50 odd players used by Hudson during his 4 years, including many young players, a very recent successful and talented U20 team  - from which probably half a dozen will be picked for the AWs game in November, and more Kiwis than ever playing overseas in pro environments, the base has already never been more broad.

It's a damn weak squad that I feel will struggle against the likes of Krishna, Lea'alafa, etc

It's a chance for a couple fringe players to get noticed moving forward... that's not a terrible thing.

Do I expect to win - no, but it will be interesting to see what Buckingham can pull together. I more interested in who is available once the Olympic qualifiers start... this is just a happy little side show until then.

These are the Olympic qualifiers. There's only one Olympic spot so if we slip up once we're done for

Des is a brave man taking this on

I could be wrong but I thought there were two different tournaments - but for this one we’re sending a U23 squad to play full national teams. The Olympic qualifying tourney is in September. 

Shark, you're right. Bit of a strange schedule but i'm a lot less bothered by the squad now lol, hopefully we get our shark sorted by September.

International window? Will still be difficult to get eligible players. 

Olympic qualifiers aren't full internationals and aren't covered through international windows.

ha ha, don't worry folks, not all of the team play in what is effectively the third tier of New Zealand football

Yeah. Some of them don't have a club at all.

Just think it helps to be accurate, given the insinuation was an Auckland bias.

Imagine, a large chunk of the squad come from NZs biggest city. Who'd have thought!?

Good point. Just like our U17 and U20 squads... 

Squad vs Tonga and Samoa, fine.

Vanuatu and PNG may do for us. 

Like me some Stafford Dowling and Seth Clarke on-field action, 

should be fun times in the vines :)

Our U17 and U20 are coming from the Nix and Ole academies, the U23 is the ones that don't make it and head back to Auckland for a pay day playing NRFL

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Our U17 and U20 are coming from the Nix and Ole academies, the U23 is the ones that don't make it and head back to Auckland for a pay day playing NRFL

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Not according to where this under 23 squad come from if you read the thread and saw how many were not what you describe.

2-0 up after 20 minutes. Awful conditions against an awful Tongan side. 

Second goal well taken by McIsaac from the edge of the box, but Sky coverage missed the first.