U17's World Cup - Nigeria

I'm afraid they didn't miss that one.  Good close-in play with two on two inside the box, and it's 2-0.  Defence is going a fairly good job for NZ - they're getting a whole lot of chances to look good.

3-0.... keep trying lads 

I think that we are the better side so far.

Commentator is amazingly hopeful. Cain looks calm! 3-0 nigeria 30 mins

Oops, red for Lindsay

Nice move down right by 15, who is 15

Hobson-McVeigh?  Or is he #14? Addicks2009-11-06 07:41:39

Milne is 15
McVeigh is 11
threat2009-11-06 07:41:59

Still 3-0 at H-T.  Tough gig.

The assistant coach looked a bit like Wolfben, must be the haircut.

Oh dear, has not been a happy half. For me, to see them not totally give it away in the second half will be good enough to have got me up early this morning. Go for it lads.

The luck that's been following us around in this tournament seems to have finally run out.

What a block by Murie , that must hurt

Great Nigeria is doing long shots, 30 minutes, no goals

Why was Lindsay sent-off?

Spragg off tane Kent on.
Murie is suffering after that block, still on ground. Stretch on, looks like our captain will go off, on sideline

Murie is back,
Lindsay chopped from behind, not much control

Now that it looks like our world cup is over, I hope a fair number of these boys get picked up by European clubs, as happened to the guys from '99.

Yes Gordon Murie called off, Esteves on, central utd on fir birkenhead utd edward l2009-11-06 08:26:38

Okoro on left for Nigeria is excellent

Emmanuel just on rounds the goalie, 4-0

ooops, striker played on side by tiring centre back.

sh*te, Emmanuel again 5-0

The Kiwi defenders are out on their feet.  You can only do so much work before mistakes happen.  Its unfortunate as they have battled bloody hard.

sh*te 5-0 this is starting to get embarrising.

They have battled hard but their positioning and tactical awareness needs to be worked on as does their strength and agility.

Nice couple moments in front of Nigeruan goal.
Corner .
NZ throw x2
free kick rhs of box
by Sole
cleared
shot over bar by Milne
1 min left

Nice run by Milne. Checked
free kick left of box
just over rhs on goal
FT 5-0

Cain says
we will come back stronger next time

Outclassed and never in the game.

But very successful tournament for the lads, they fought and scrapped hard throughout and can look back on their performances with pride.

Okay the temp droped to 32 degrees but didn't help

 These U17's are a credit to their coach and their country.They should be congratulated for their achievements in this World Cup Tournament.
Now they've had a taste of success in a World Cup environment and had to deal with those pressures, here's hoping they get the support needed to enable them to challenge again in future. I'm looking forward to seeing many of them representing NZ again.

Massive props to Steve Cain and Aaron Macfarland.

Well done boys...you have done us proud.

...or a new Auckland A-League club for some serious NZ derby matches

  nudge nudge,say no more...

Auckland... are you havin' a

I hope to be caring for these players.
hard luck New Zealand