New Zealand Women's U-20s

Fiji 3-1 winners over Samoa. NZ verus Cooks to kick off soon.
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/livestream-ofc-u-19-womens-championship-2023-semi-final-2/

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. 

Wow, I hope Lara Colpi brings that form home for WSAFC

Helena Errington is quite the player. 
Having a great tournament.

Link to the final. KO 7pm

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/livestream-ofc-u-19-womens-championship-2023-final/

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. 

7-0. 5 wins with GF 45 & GA 0
U20 WC Colombia next year

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/new-zealand-defeat-fiji-to-clinch-record-extending-8th-ofc-u-19-womens-championship/

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.

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.

Mindhack

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. 

reubee

Mindhack

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.