5-0 to NZ full time. Dominated whole game and never looked likely to concede let alone give them any route into the game. That said - at least they looked like they had a gameplan and were competent defensively in parts. Cannot give any such praise to Solomon Islands or PNG. Parking the bus to keep the score down effectively did what they would have hoped for.
Well done to our NZ girls - didn't get complacent, kept putting the work in and recorded a statement win in the final.
Once again I reiterate my earlier point - the other nations should have had their own tournament, crown a champion, then the winner plays off against NZ for the U20 WWC place.
It was scrappy and a whole bunch of late tackles were no calls. We had the ball in the net which was somehow called back for offside. Could have easily been 11-0. Encouraging to see that comparing 3-6 players at least on similar or a few better technically than McMeeken as a player with about 15 alw appearances. So I summize that the top 6 at least would handle the step up to alw this coming season with aplomb
Yes that Colpi goal that was ruled out was a head scratcher. She was well on side. Hard to gauge in these type of games, NZ were a level above. But still a good hit out against big physical Fiji defence. I wonder if any of these girls are in contention for Nix call ups. Paul Temple will know alot of them well. Stand out performances by. Errington, Nathan and Elliot. Mcmeechan played well in the final. Pijnenberg and Bercelli already have pro contracts overseas. PS. The Pacific island teams already do have there own competition where they get to compete without NZ in the Pacific Games.
over 2 years ago· edited over 2 years ago· History
I think they said 8 were Nix academy players that started the final plus the 2 overseas based players, and maybe McMeeken isn’t included in those academy numbers?. Temple will know them well.
Had to chuckle at an Auckland United post congratulating the team that referred to "featuring no less than 6 current and former AUFC players!"
By my reckoning that is ... 1x who followed a coach to AU 2.5 years ago 3x who followed a coach to AU at the beginning of this season 2x who moved up from Waikato beginning of last season. stayed for 1 season and then went this season to Phoenix Academy
Other New Zealand scorers were Zoe Benson (7), Kiara Bercelli (5), Emma Pijnenburg (4), Alexis Cook (4), Ella McCann (4), Manaia Elliott (3), Danielle Canham (2), Lara Colpi (2), Helena Errington (2), Rekekah Trewhitt (2), Charlotte Mortlock (1)
Interesting that Benson was the top scorer going into the final game but was only subbed on in last 30 minutes. Also had been played as a right back in the previous 2 games for 80 minutes. Would have liked to have seen what she could have done if given more time in an attack position, I believe she only plays forward positions for club.
Other New Zealand scorers were Zoe Benson (7), Kiara Bercelli (5), Emma Pijnenburg (4), Alexis Cook (4), Ella McCann (4), Manaia Elliott (3), Danielle Canham (2), Lara Colpi (2), Helena Errington (2), Rekekah Trewhitt (2), Charlotte Mortlock (1)
Interesting that Benson was the top scorer going into the final game but was only subbed on in last 30 minutes. Also had been played as a right back in the previous 2 games for 80 minutes. Would have liked to have seen what she could have done if given more time in an attack position, I believe she only plays forward positions for club.
I suspect you are getting confused between the two Zoes. Zoe Benson (Eastern Suburbs) plays wide upfront, 7 goals, and is young enough to play again in 2 years time. The much taller Zoe McMeeken (Phoenix) played LB and RB.
Other New Zealand scorers were Zoe Benson (7), Kiara Bercelli (5), Emma Pijnenburg (4), Alexis Cook (4), Ella McCann (4), Manaia Elliott (3), Danielle Canham (2), Lara Colpi (2), Helena Errington (2), Rekekah Trewhitt (2), Charlotte Mortlock (1)
Interesting that Benson was the top scorer going into the final game but was only subbed on in last 30 minutes. Also had been played as a right back in the previous 2 games for 80 minutes. Would have liked to have seen what she could have done if given more time in an attack position, I believe she only plays forward positions for club.
I suspect you are getting confused between the two Zoes. Zoe Benson (Eastern Suburbs) plays wide upfront, 7 goals, and is young enough to play again in 2 years time. The much taller Zoe McMeeken (Phoenix) played LB and RB.
Not confused, Zoe Benson came on in wing in both games and was then switched to play RB in both QF & SF. Thought it was strange at the time.
NZ draw Japan, Ghana and Austria in there group for the U20 WWC later this year. Scheduled for September. Managing to avoid the typical euro powerhouses.
The draw for the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup 2024 has been confirmed 🏆
Our U20's will face Japan, Austria and Ghana in Group E of the tournament, to be hosted later this year in Colombia 🇯🇵🇳🇿🇦🇹🇬🇭 pic.twitter.com/t2S2IL0vND
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) June 6, 2024
NZ draw Japan, Ghana and Austria in there group for the U20 WWC later this year. Scheduled for September. Managing to avoid the typical euro powerhouses.
Won't be easy - the Japanese team are excellent, Austria are definitely good if they qualified from Europe, and Ghana are more competitive at youth level than people think (that U17 WWC where we got bronze they beat us)
It was a pretty scrappy game. And the first run out for this team in a while. Some of the passing accuracy from both teams was a bit disappointing at times. And room for improvement there. But the surface looked a bit bumpy and wind likely was a factor. Great game I thought from NZ centre back Ella Findlay. Don't recall her being part of this team at U17 level. And Emma Pyneberg (spelling ?) looked real composed. There is plenty of talent here. These are exactly the types of games they need to gel and work combinations before they hit the WC tournament.
It was a pretty scrappy game. And the first run out for this team in a while. Some of the passing accuracy from both teams was a bit disappointing at times. And room for improvement there. But the surface looked a bit bumpy and wind likely was a factor. Great game I thought from NZ centre back Ella Findlay. Don't recall her being part of this team at U17 level. And Emma Pyneberg (spelling ?) looked real composed. There is plenty of talent here. These are exactly the types of games they need to gel and work combinations before they hit the WC tournament.
Ella F, Emma P, Zoe M are 2004 born so were too old to be in U17 team that went to India. They were in the 2022 U20 squad that went to Costa Rica.
Of the other 8 starters, 7 are 2005 born and have carried on from that India squad and 1 was born in 2006.
It was a pretty scrappy game. And the first run out for this team in a while. Some of the passing accuracy from both teams was a bit disappointing at times. And room for improvement there. But the surface looked a bit bumpy and wind likely was a factor. Great game I thought from NZ centre back Ella Findlay. Don't recall her being part of this team at U17 level. And Emma Pyneberg (spelling ?) looked real composed. There is plenty of talent here. These are exactly the types of games they need to gel and work combinations before they hit the WC tournament.
Agree with your stand outs along with Zoe M - who dominated the aussie's physically and offered some width on attack.
We lack flair though - would like to see someone on the flank or in the middle able to take on a player. Ella Jerez would add a lot to this team IMO - but maybe too young??
I thought Elliott, Errington and Pijnenburg played really well, while Brazendale, McMeeken and Findlay also caught the eye.....though Findlay should have done more with the Australian goal instead of letting the attacker run across her.
Very disappointed with Haering. Very hesitant when the ball was in the air, she could have cost multiple goals. Ruby Nathan underwhelming, and I was hoping to see some razzle dazzle from Bercelli, but no razzle or dazzle was forthcoming.
That post was from the first game during the week. Nothing on there about todays behind closed door game. name of the goal scorer would be nice. But oh well....It is Sunday I guess.
Sorry just saw the scoreline. I imagine NZF's main media folk will be in either Vanuatu or France already. Footabll Ferns are posting stuff daily from their training camp.
There is likely more NZ international teams in camp at the moment than Australian.
