OFC U20 Qualifiying tournament 2011

Lindsay probably, Lovemore injured, Rufer 'on standby' - read, not actually that good.

Back from the game, pretty good turn out for the game, anyone know the attendance? A couple thousand?

Played fairly poorly, even though had plenty of possession in the first half and the start of the second. Missed a heap of sitters.

Some bastard scratched my car!!! own up if you drive a turquoise pulsar with a house of travel plate. Damn Auckland drivers.
linds22011-04-29 17:46:33

Perspective from the stands.

Hear him called 'Poor man's Chris Wood'

Job done. Threak f**k off with your negativity.

So I'm not allowed to say we played poorly like a lot of others here think?

Define poor? What were you expecting? 5 yard passes and pretty triangles all day long? If you were you obviously don't know anything about NZ football.

So in your opinion, we played well?

I thought we played well. Finishing was poor but we created plenty of chances and dominated from start to finish.

To be fair even the nz coach did not think we played well. Nerves or a bit of complacent probably played a part I think. Onwards and upwards from now though.

The best team qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia, no doubt about it. New Zealand had a stronger mentality when it mattered and you can't argue with four wins from the four matches.

Dakota Lucas had a dead set penalty shout turned down by referee Norbert Huata and James Musa and Marco Rojas both hit the woodwork. Apart from Himson Teleda's 22nd minute leveller, Solomon Islands didn't create another clearcut chance that I can recall.

From the matches I saw, I'd pick these players for a tournament XI, coached by Chris Milicich. Purely my opinion, of course.

Cheers,

Gordon Glen Watson

OFC U-20 Championship Tournament Team

(4-4-2)

1. Silas SEDA (SOL) - GK
2. Ant HOBBS (NZL) - RB
3. Luke ROWE (NZL) - LB
4. James MUSA (NZL)- CB
5. Marco ROJAS (NZL)- ML
6. Brian KALTAK (VAN)- CB
7. Zane SOLE (NZL)- MC
8. Eddison STEPHEN (VAN)- MC
9. Jean KALTAK (VAN)- SC
10. Tutizamo TUNITO (SOL)- SC
11. Himson TELEDA (SOL)- MR

Coach: Chris MILICICH (NZL)

chris.acfc2011-04-29 20:06:46

Pretty tough draw to be honest - Portugal are traditionally very strong at age-grade stuff (although Croatia beat them 5-0 in European Championships last year, woot, woot), and so are the African sides. South Americans are traditionally difficult opponenents for us.

Four third placed temas will advance to knock-outs, so if we can get one result it could give us a chance of staying in the tournament beyond the group stages. But will be pretty tough.

Portugal will be our toughest opponents - Cameroon could be our best chance for points but if we were going to choose a South American opponent maybe a bit better suited to our own strengths, it would be a team like Uruguay.

One of the key questions for me is whether or not Chris Milicich continues with the approach he's chosen to take during these qualifiers or make some adjustments with this group in mind.

Gordon Glen Watson

The team will look different come tournament time with Wood an obvious starter and Cameron Lindsey in midfield as well.

To anyone who watched most of the games, how did Cory Chettleburgh play? Quite interested as he was always pretty good for Manawatu who are my local team.

I can understand the stance on letting wood continue with Brighton and not asking him to play in this tournament

Cameron Lindsay however? Was he considered even good enough to be picked by the coach? If he was good enough was there any advantage in having him play youth football in Blackburn whilst this tourament was being played?

I liked what I saw of Chettleburgh. Quick and combative. Scored the first goal against the Solomons in both games, I think.

13. Colin Murphy?

Gordon Glen Watson

Was Lovemore injured when the squad was announced? Thus ruling him out? Because he was playing for Onehunga today, very badly too.

I was very impressed with the NZ #13 in the final, thought he was excellent in the middle of the park there

So out of the nz based players who would be worthy of the 3 youth places in the Phoenix?

Last I looked the premiership was still being played

I am talking about the tournament (qualifers) just played

See the story on stuff linking two of our under 20's to a trial at United?

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/4947813/Manchester-United-scout-has-sights-on-Kiwi-pair

 

So we have to guess now? Who do you think are the two?

Rojas!

And probably musa

so the u20's are off to a tourney tomorrow, any idea where this is and whom is going? Anyone else being picked..

OH I SO HOPE SO and wipe the smiles off a few Tard faces.

Doloras2011-05-01 16:56:12

Actually, the timing of the tournament isn't great - happening in the middle of Champions League and Europa League qualifiers, and start of the lower leagues in England.

I think Milne is an awesome player and deserves his spot on the team ronaldo12011-05-01 19:32:17

Yeah, thanks for that, Andrew.

Sean Lovemore looked poor and squealed everytime he skied the ball yesterday at Melville, heard Alex Carr is going also as the 3rd keeper.

I thought Nick Branch, Andy Bevin and Dakota Lucas look good. Is Nick based here? James Musa and Marco Rojas were easily the standouts though.

Nick Branch plays for Central United in winter and is a member of the Auckland City Academy squad.

Andy Bevin and Dakota Lucas have impressed but you have to think Rojas is one of the two.

Dakota Lucas didn't impress me a great deal. He scored a couple well taken goals, but also missed a host of chances, particularly in the final.Andy Bevin always did well off the bench and must have been pushing for a start. Good goal in the final but two poor misses aswell.