New Zealand Women's U-20s
U20WC kicks off in Colombia on 3rd September for NZ. Verus Japan in Bogota
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/09/03/world/u20-womens-world-cup/japan-under-20/new-zealand-under-20/4356798/
Aussie have named their squad. A GK at a US College, otherwise completely domestically based squad. Mostly from the ALW, but some also from NPL leagues or a Future Matildas program (like FFDP I guess)
https://www.matildas.com.au/news/commbank-young-matildas-final-squad-unveiled-fifa-u-20-womens-world-cup-2024tm
5 based in Europe and only 1 at a US College - that route now less popular with the better more serious football players, ie those looking to make a career out of football??
Only 3 NZ domestically based outside the Nix
The squad to compete at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in September has been confirmed 🇳🇿🏆
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) August 19, 2024
Congratulations to all selected! 🙌
Read more at: https://t.co/TnUcP9j4qm pic.twitter.com/Skg8NAzer0
Japan you imagine will be very tough, but other 2 games you'd hope NZ have a chance.
Hopefully Clegg is fit & healthy. Training daily in a high quality NWSL environment she could be a real stand out in Colombia.
Playing 2 games in Bogota should help. It has a temperate cool & wet climate not dissimilar to NZ. Cali will be more hot & sticky, which likely Ghana won't mind.
https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/144398?newsfeedId=1275608
Aotearoa New Zealand have been drawn in Group E at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2024 alongside Austria, Ghana and Japan. The team will kick off against Japan on 3 September (NZT), before facing Austria on 6 September (NZT) and Ghana on 9 September (NZT).
2 September 2024 [local] / 3 September 2024 [NZT]
KO 8pm [local] / 1pm [NZT]
Estadio El Techo, Bogotá, Colombia
5 September 2024 [local] / 6 September 2024 [NZT]
KO 8pm [local] / 1pm [NZT]
Estadio El Techo, Bogotá, Colombia
8 September 2024 [local] / 9 September 2024 [NZT]
KO 6pm [local] / 11am [NZT]
Estadio Pascual Guerrero, Cali, Colombia
The New Zealand #U20WWC squad will feature:
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) August 21, 2024
👉 2 capped Football Ferns
👉 7 overseas pros
👉 12 players with pro club experience
👉 5 returnees from the last U20 WC
👉 16 grads from the 2022 U17 WC
... and Milly Clegg who counts for all of the abovehttps://t.co/lm7kcGDSdJ
Maybe Australia again, who are also in Bogota. Or they play Japan, and we play the hosts (Colombia is Oz's first pool game), and them we share some intel with our Trans Tasman friends.
WATCH | U-20 Head Coach Leon Birnie and players preview their upcoming FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup campaign kicking off in Colombia next week 🇨🇴🏆https://t.co/3r22Oe0rk6
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) August 26, 2024
World Cup kicking off this weekend.
Surely they had a pre tournament friendly game at least.
Was this video put up before they left.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9I2JABBqMT4
At least Medellin is a lot warmer & sunnier than cool, wet Bogota. So that will suit them
The Digicel Fiji Young Kulas gained valuable experience in a 2-0 defeat to Costa Rica, as part of their World Cup prep. Despite the result, the team is learning & adapting ahead of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup. Next up: a match against Morocco, who also lost 2-0 to Costa Rica. pic.twitter.com/AL3DlLHueX
— Fiji Football Association (@FijiFootball_) August 24, 2024
Vinaka for the welcome Medellin! The Digicel Fiji Young Kulas have arrived in Colombia, greeted with vibrant pomp and fanfare! The team is feeling the love as they prepare for their FIFA U20 Women's World Cup opener against Brazil in four days. Stay tuned for updates. pic.twitter.com/4QE5azQhzv
— Fiji Football Association (@FijiFootball_) August 28, 2024
https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/showcase/0b16cc19-27f7-4505-8b77-d534a0183297
Fiji keep it to single figures, just!
NZ play Japan Tuesday morning.
Brazil U20 | 9 - 0 | Fiji U20
Colombia U20 | 2 - 0 | Australia U20
Cameroon U20 | 2 - 2 | Mexico U20
France U20 | 3 - 3 | Canada U20
https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/144882?newsfeedId=1275622
But as their senior team showed at the WWC you can have all the ball, look a million dollars, and still lose. And this NZ U20 team does have a lot of pros either in Europe or with the Nix, plus Clegg in the NWSL.
FIFA + link
https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/content/japan-v-new-zealand-group-e-fifa-u-20-woman-s-world-cup-colombia-2024tm-2024/5a04b28c-165f-48b3-8607-ceb4cfaba431
Except the allocation of jersey numbers has never been about starting spots or playing positions in the Aleague. The only number you wont see playing in the outfield in #1. The rest are just squad numbers and have no bearing on anything.
It's MATCH DAY in Colombia for our first #U20WWC game 🇳🇿🇯🇵
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) September 2, 2024
Watch live and free on FIFA+ from 1pm [NZT] at https://t.co/yBkoL1YzYb pic.twitter.com/J9LYlZVlBy
Elsewhere North Korea thrashed Argentina 6-2!
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/new-zealand-kick-off-u-20-womens-world-cup-campaign-with-an-eye-on-the-future/
Against a team that has been together a long time.
Not good.
Can see why they won this tourney in 2018, and were runners up last time in 2022.
See they thrashed Australia 5-1 in the AFC U20 qualifiers in March. Though lost to North Korea 2-1 in the final. North Koreans spanked Argentina today, so these 2 AFC teams already both look tourney contenders.
FA & NZF should send some coaches over to Japan to study what they are doing in the female space to make them so good. Clearly producing players levels above the ALW's best young talent.
Can see why they won this tourney in 2018, and were runners up last time in 2022.
See they thrashed Australia 5-1 back in the AFC U20 qualifiers in March. Though lost to North Korea 2-1 in the final. North Koreans spanked Argentina today, so these 2 AFC teams already both look on fire.
They are definately much better prepared than us.
Michihisa Kano: Our U-20 women's national team began preparing for this back in March 2023. Eight training camps later, including the Asian qualifiers, I think we’re ready for the upcoming World Cup.
Can see why they won this tourney in 2018, and were runners up last time in 2022.
See they thrashed Australia 5-1 back in the AFC U20 qualifiers in March. Though lost to North Korea 2-1 in the final. North Koreans spanked Argentina today, so these 2 AFC teams already both look on fire.
They are definately much better prepared than us.
Michihisa Kano: Our U-20 women's national team began preparing for this back in March 2023. Eight training camps later, including the Asian qualifiers, I think we’re ready for the upcoming World Cup.
For sure that will be a factor, especially if all their players are based in Japan, so you always have the full squad on hand to train together. NZ has 6-7 girls based in the US & Europe, and I'm guessing most of them are starting today, ie the better players. Not so easy to get together for a camp.
But the issue is bigger than that. The individual skills of their girls, is levels above. What are they doing in their systems to produce a continuous conveyor belt of young technical talent like they are? Their record at this tourney is impressive, and the way the play is enjoyable to watch. It's not just us. They are easier better than Aussie as well, and I suspect will win this group comfortably.
Lots of ball watching, no pressure on D... allowing them to carry the ball and pass and when we did win it, no movement or desire to keep possession.
Not surprised to come back and see we are down by 4.
Can see why they won this tourney in 2018, and were runners up last time in 2022.
See they thrashed Australia 5-1 back in the AFC U20 qualifiers in March. Though lost to North Korea 2-1 in the final. North Koreans spanked Argentina today, so these 2 AFC teams already both look on fire.
They are definately much better prepared than us.
Michihisa Kano: Our U-20 women's national team began preparing for this back in March 2023. Eight training camps later, including the Asian qualifiers, I think we’re ready for the upcoming World Cup.
For sure that will be a factor, especially if all their players are based in Japan, so you always have the full squad on hand to train together. NZ has 6-7 girls based in the US & Europe, and I'm guessing most of them are starting today, ie the better players. Not so easy to get together for a camp.
But the issue is bigger than that. The individual skills of their girls, is levels above. What are they doing in their systems to produce a continuous conveyor belt of young technical talent like they are? Their record at this tourney is impressive, and the way the play is enjoyable to watch. It's not just us. They are easier better than Aussie as well, and I suspect will win this group comfortably.
I wonder if any of the North Korean team that thrashed Argetina 6-2 play in Japan? Would be interesting to know. Bit of Nth Korean community in Nippon, and certainly been some Korea DPR mens national team players who were brought up, and play across the Sea of Japan.
Regardless I bet the Koreans watch closely how the Japanese have structured their systems in the female game, and maybe also vice versa (sans the Nth Korean brainwashing!). Whatever it seems to be working for both.
Can see why they won this tourney in 2018, and were runners up last time in 2022.
See they thrashed Australia 5-1 back in the AFC U20 qualifiers in March. Though lost to North Korea 2-1 in the final. North Koreans spanked Argentina today, so these 2 AFC teams already both look on fire.
They are definately much better prepared than us.
Michihisa Kano: Our U-20 women's national team began preparing for this back in March 2023. Eight training camps later, including the Asian qualifiers, I think we’re ready for the upcoming World Cup.
For sure that will be a factor, especially if all their players are based in Japan, so you always have the full squad on hand to train together. NZ has 6-7 girls based in the US & Europe, and I'm guessing most of them are starting today, ie the better players. Not so easy to get together for a camp.
But the issue is bigger than that. The individual skills of their girls, is levels above. What are they doing in their systems to produce a continuous conveyor belt of young technical talent like they are? Their record at this tourney is impressive, and the way the play is enjoyable to watch. It's not just us. They are easier better than Aussie as well, and I suspect will win this group comfortably.
Yeah I remember our boys U17s or U20s?? went on tour to Japan last year, and lost to a local Niigata side. Maybe it's just that they are getting their kids into top class coaching at younger ages, whilst we take a gentler approach of it's more the fun aspect until kids get older.
Plus also it's a country of 125M so a much bigger talent pool. Whichever the touches, movement, speed etc is all different level.
Yipe more girls coming into Weenix and then AFC Academies will help. We have already seen Fraser, Taylor, Wisnewski, Clegg move through the Nix to better leagues. And Nix ALW team is only 3 seasons old. Still no harm in some NZF staffers doing a little tour of Japan for a look. Chiefy obviously left there impressed and a fan.
Maybe rather than sending players out to NPL clubs or Auckland United every year when the short ALW season finishes, the Nix could pair up with a Japanese club and send 6 or so players there each NZ winter for a few months for their development. You sense it would properly challenge them and be eye opening
And yeah again as some sort of yardstick Japan beat Australia 5-1 in Uzbekistan back in March (AFC U20 tourney)
2018 winners, and 2022 runners up, Japan claim the win in Bogotá. #U20WWC pic.twitter.com/Jd5uXPBGN2
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) September 3, 2024
Except the allocation of jersey numbers has never been about starting spots or playing positions in the Aleague. The only number you wont see playing in the outfield in #1. The rest are just squad numbers and have no bearing on anything.
Numbers 2-11 started, only the GK not from 1-11.
2 converted midfielders, #3,#4 playing at Center Back.
The #6 naturally more an advanced midfielder rather than what you expect your 6 to be.
That lineup has the skills if they have the ball, but that isn't a team that is going to naturally defend and win the ball.
Agree with Birnie judge the side how they go against Austria and Ghana. Teams they should be capable of getting a result against. Japan just a different class, and trying to bridge that gap is a bigger picture question more for NZF, than this group.
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/new-zealand-fall-to-japan-in-world-cup-opener/
Japan put on a masterclass to defeat New Zealand 7-0 in the Oceania side’s opening FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2024 game.
Japan were very good, shows how much further along they are in developing players over there. I think it also shows how well they are coached. Would be nice to see us doing as many training camps and friendlies prior to a tournament like this too
Hopefully we can put in a better effort against our next opponents
They did.
That’s where the whole of football plan came from.
Along with a very emphatic 7-0 loss to tournament contenders Japan, the NZ U20s had Wellington Phoenix scholarship signing Ella McCann on the bench with crutches and a knee brace... not a happy sight 😬 pic.twitter.com/IiaVrqRmtO
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) September 3, 2024
Don't forget that in 2018 in the u17 QF we drew 1-1 with Japan