New Zealand Women's U-20s

And Clegg should have scored there....

Ingham has done well in a very short period of time. She looks confident.
McMillan hasnt impressed me in this tournament, nor Iro particularly

This game will make it no wins in the last 11 games at this tournament for NZ - clearly what we are doing isn't working

And that's it. All over folks.  We lack speed and skill.  

FYI - Japan beat Austria 2-0 to top the pool, with 3 wins.

Them and North Korea who beat the Netherlands 2-0 (also 3 wins) look impressive.
Be interesting to see if either can go on to win it. 

Spitballing I think it's called. But see value in 3-5 Nix younger players, every ALW offseason spending a few months with a Japanese club if the Phoenix could somehow arrange it. Get a far better, more realistic idea of the development required, than starring in the lowly Aus NPL or NZ domestic leagues, banging in 20 goals in 10 games like seems to happen.

lthomas20

This game will make it no wins in the last 11 games at this tournament for NZ - clearly what we are doing isn't working

Maybe, just maybe, the gap between playing Samoa or the Cook Islands, and top quality opposition is a pretty big one. It's almost as though NZF are prioritising the revenue generated from qualifying for FIFA tournaments over actually doing remotely well in said tournaments. 

Felt like a match without a huge amount of quality shown from either team.

We gave Ghana too much time in and near the box and we were lucky they mostlyddidn't make the most of the gifted chances.

Would've liked to have seen a more changed starting line-up being that there was nothing on the line and it would be good to give as many players the experience of playing at a World Cup for their development.

Edit: Just to add something positive to my seemingly bleak comment - I'm happy for Manaia Elliott captaining this tournament, playing all 3 matches and getting her goal today. 

She has looked really impressive in the few Kate Sheppard Cup Nix Reserve games I've seen this year as well as a few of her performances early last season in the ALW, so anything that aids her development and makes her more ALW ready is a win in my books

Half a Pint

Felt like a match without a huge amount of quality shown from either team.

We gave Ghana too much time in and near the box and we were lucky they mostlyddidn't make the most of the gifted chances.

Would've liked to have seen a more changed starting line-up being that there was nothing on the line and it would be good to give as many players the experience of playing at a World Cup for their development.

Edit: Just to add something positive to my seemingly bleak comment - I'm happy for Manaia Elliott captaining this tournament, playing all 3 matches and getting her goal today. 

She has looked really impressive in the few Kate Sheppard Cup Nix Reserve games I've seen this year as well as a few of her performances early last season in the ALW, so anything that aids her development and makes her more ALW ready is a win in my books

I feel
Like we could have won the game against Ghana and maybe drawn against Austria. Us beating Japan is as likely as the All Whites beating Spain. What we lack the most is actually game time together. The players looked like they weren’t on the same wavelength most of the time. If we had played 10 matches in the preceding few months before the World Cup I think we would have seen different performances. Possibly starters would be different or the positions that players play would be different too. Even if they played u14 or u15 boys that would still suffice. I don’t think we lack players to hurt the opponents and technically we are waaaay better than we were as a whole ten years ago. Also our fitness has improved out of sight as players are now in full time academies or pro environments. Hardly ever see our players having cramp or having to come off because they are not fit enough. They need more time together as a team/squad. 

Unused sub

Half a Pint

Felt like a match without a huge amount of quality shown from either team.

We gave Ghana too much time in and near the box and we were lucky they mostlyddidn't make the most of the gifted chances.

Would've liked to have seen a more changed starting line-up being that there was nothing on the line and it would be good to give as many players the experience of playing at a World Cup for their development.

Edit: Just to add something positive to my seemingly bleak comment - I'm happy for Manaia Elliott captaining this tournament, playing all 3 matches and getting her goal today. 

She has looked really impressive in the few Kate Sheppard Cup Nix Reserve games I've seen this year as well as a few of her performances early last season in the ALW, so anything that aids her development and makes her more ALW ready is a win in my books

I feel
Like we could have won the game against Ghana and maybe drawn against Austria. Us beating Japan is as likely as the All Whites beating Spain. What we lack the most is actually game time together. The players looked like they weren’t on the same wavelength most of the time. If we had played 10 matches in the preceding few months before the World Cup I think we would have seen different performances. Possibly starters would be different or the positions that players play would be different too. Even if they played u14 or u15 boys that would still suffice. I don’t think we lack players to hurt the opponents and technically we are waaaay better than we were as a whole ten years ago. Also our fitness has improved out of sight as players are now in full time academies or pro environments. Hardly ever see our players having cramp or having to come off because they are not fit enough. They need more time together as a team/squad. 

As an example. Japan had regular camps and comps since March last year, understandable the cohesion that they show as a team. Most of there players are domestically based though which helps. 
Our age group teams always seem to go into these tournaments off limited build up. Because we qualify for every age group world cup. NZF budget would be surely stretched to give every team proper games and prep. That's the problem.

Austria who beat NZ 3-1, lose 5-2 to Nth Korea in R16. 

This Nth Korean team pretty much flogging everyone. Their tighest scoreline so far a 2-0 win over the Netherlands. The Supreme Leader will be happy so far. Extra rations. Brazil next.

Japan play Nigeria in their R16 game later today.

coochiee

Austria who beat NZ 3-1, lose 5-2 to Nth Korea in R16. 

This Nth Korean team pretty much flogging everyone. Their tighest scoreline so far a 2-0 win over the Netherlands. The Supreme Leader will be happy so far. Extra rations. Brazil next.

Japan play Nigeria in their R16 game later today.

Austria had a player red carded early in the match would have made a difference to the score line.

Ranix

Unused sub

Half a Pint

Felt like a match without a huge amount of quality shown from either team.

We gave Ghana too much time in and near the box and we were lucky they mostlyddidn't make the most of the gifted chances.

Would've liked to have seen a more changed starting line-up being that there was nothing on the line and it would be good to give as many players the experience of playing at a World Cup for their development.

Edit: Just to add something positive to my seemingly bleak comment - I'm happy for Manaia Elliott captaining this tournament, playing all 3 matches and getting her goal today. 

She has looked really impressive in the few Kate Sheppard Cup Nix Reserve games I've seen this year as well as a few of her performances early last season in the ALW, so anything that aids her development and makes her more ALW ready is a win in my books

I feel
Like we could have won the game against Ghana and maybe drawn against Austria. Us beating Japan is as likely as the All Whites beating Spain. What we lack the most is actually game time together. The players looked like they weren’t on the same wavelength most of the time. If we had played 10 matches in the preceding few months before the World Cup I think we would have seen different performances. Possibly starters would be different or the positions that players play would be different too. Even if they played u14 or u15 boys that would still suffice. I don’t think we lack players to hurt the opponents and technically we are waaaay better than we were as a whole ten years ago. Also our fitness has improved out of sight as players are now in full time academies or pro environments. Hardly ever see our players having cramp or having to come off because they are not fit enough. They need more time together as a team/squad. 

As an example. Japan had regular camps and comps since March last year, understandable the cohesion that they show as a team. Most of there players are domestically based though which helps. 
Our age group teams always seem to go into these tournaments off limited build up. Because we qualify for every age group world cup. NZF budget would be surely stretched to give every team proper games and prep. That's the problem.

But if we don't prepare properly then it's just a waste of a tournament. I feel for the players as clearly we have some decent young ones in the broad U23 space that will be/are being integrated into the Ferns, but when the preparation is poor and the coaching is tired and same old, results are sadly predictable.

Ranix

I see Klimkova is there at this world cup. That likely suggests she will be staying on as Football Ferns coach.

This aged well.

ClubOranje

Ranix

I see Klimkova is there at this world cup. That likely suggests she will be staying on as Football Ferns coach.

This aged well.

To be fair to Ranix she is still staying on at NZF for another 6 months, as some sort of coaching advisor. Hence why she got a nice little paid trip to Colombia.

coochiee

Austria who beat NZ 3-1, lose 5-2 to Nth Korea in R16. 

This Nth Korean team pretty much flogging everyone. Their tighest scoreline so far a 2-0 win over the Netherlands. The Supreme Leader will be happy so far. Extra rations. Brazil next.

Japan play Nigeria in their R16 game later today.

Any chance of the Nix signing any forwards or mids from this tournament tha would be interested to playing on the shop window that is the ALW? 

FYI - Japan with a 2-1 win over Nigeria to make the quarters.

Quarterfinals.
Nth Korea beat Brazil 1-0 to make the semis. 0-0 between Japan & Spain late in the first half.

https://us.soccerway.com/international/world/u20-womens-world-cup/2024/s22356/final-stages/

coochiee

Quarterfinals.
Nth Korea beat Brazil 1-0 to make the semis. 0-0 between Japan & Spain late in the first half.

https://us.soccerway.com/international/world/u20-womens-world-cup/2024/s22356/final-stages/

Netherlands vs Colombia 2-2 at the end of extra time and going to penalties

Update: Netherlands win 3-0 on penalties

Colombia didn't score their penalties. Shame for them but great for the Dutch. 

Japan v Spain still nil all 73 mins gone.  Come on Japan!!! 

Japan win 1-0. 
Could yet be an all AFC final, as they are on the other side of the draw from Nth Korea.

Semis. 
Japan to play the Dutch 
Nth Korea the winner of United States & Germany

USA equalise at the last minute to go into extra time.  Germany were leading 2 nil. Incredible 

North Korea keep rolling on. A 1-0 win over the USA to make the final.
Dolaras's good friend Ri Chun Hee will be ecstatic. Their victory over Mee Gook Gnome will lead their National news no doubt.

I'm sure the Supreme Leader wouldn't endorse cheating, but FIFA MRI age tests required??

Japan verus Netherlands up next in the other semi.

They are really impressive. Wish we could play like them. 

Procrastinixing

They are really impressive. Wish we could play like them. 

Take a bunch of girls away from their parents at age 5, and have them football training 8 hours a day - we probably could.

Again I'd be more curious on what they are doing in Japan.
 

All asian final.  Should be a cracker.  Though the 3rd place play off will be good as well I'm sure.

I don't think we can replicate what Japan do in terms of developing players. Complete different culture, pretty sure JFA use coever model which is lots of technical drills and repetition. I maybe wrong. 
But we are more about let's have fun and fall in love with the game, and let not have children specialise to soon they must play ever sport. By which time there most vital technical development years have past them. 

watching_from_far

I don't think we can replicate what Japan do in terms of developing players. Complete different culture, pretty sure JFA use coever model which is lots of technical drills and repetition. I maybe wrong. 
But we are more about let's have fun and fall in love with the game, and let not have children specialise to soon they must play ever sport. By which time there most vital technical development years have past them. 

Yeah probably alot of truth in that. I've never been to Japan, but certainly their society sounds much more regimented and less carefree. And we don't want to be like that, that's not us. 

But yeah as Arsene says "If you don't have technical ability at 14 you can forget it".  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8EfQZdlf0Y
 
Someone like Paige Satchell comes to mind when I read that statement, or watch the above vid. In her early years more a running athlete, then only later specialising with football (not moving from fooball backwater Rotorua to Auckland until age 16/17). Too late and it shows. Being found out as you go up the grades, that you need far more than just raw pace.

That why the announced deal between the Weenix & NZF (AFC Academy & NZF to follow), is a huge boost. Boarding school onsite at NZCIS for young girls & boys. So parents of young promising kids in Nelson, Napier, New Plymouth, Rororua or wherever will hopefully feel more comfortable sending their kids off to the Hutt at age 11-13. Especially if NZF/FIFA pay the cost. 

oops wrong thread

USA take out the bronze with a 2-1 win over the Netherlands 

Poor Japan. They lost 1 nil to Korea DPR. 

I notice that the entire team DPR go to the same hair stylist.  

PNG don't even have a womens U19 team it seems.

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/draw-confirmed-for-ofc-u-19-womens-championship-2025/

The draw for the OFC U-19 Women’s Championship 2025 has been confirmed today, at the OFC Home of Football – Te Kahu o Kiwa in Auckland, New Zealand.

The holders New Zealand and hosts Tahiti have been drawn together in Group B, alongside New Caledonia and Vanuatu, whilst Fiji, Samoa, Cook Islands and the winner of the qualifying tournament comprise Group A.

The OFC U-19 Women’s Championship 2025 will take place in Tahiti, from September 21 to October 4, with the qualifying tournament being hosted by Tonga, from March 7-13. Tonga, Solomons & American Samoa.

Holmes appointed NZ U-20 women’s coach

The Wellington Phoenix wish to congratulate Callum Holmes on his new role with New Zealand Football.

Holmes, who leads our female academy, has been appointed head coach of the New Zealand U-20 women’s side for the next World Cup cycle.

He will continue to serve as head coach of the Phoenix women’s reserves side and be the head of the female academy.

Holmes’ first major assignment with the New Zealand U-20 women’s side will be the OFC U-19 Women’s Championship in Tahiti in September.

The finalists will qualify the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup to be played in Poland in September 2026.

https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/157587?

The squad has been named for the OFC Women’s U-19 Championship, kicking off on 21 September 2025 in Papeete, Tahiti.

The tournament will decide which two teams represent the OFC region at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026 in Poland.

Head coach Callum Holmes has selected 18 players, with 13 based in Aotearoa New Zealand and five based overseas in Australia and the USA.

The Women’s U-19 team will be looking to defend their title after lifting the trophy against hosts Fiji in 2023.

The full 18-player squad is:

Grace Bartlett - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Zoe Benson - Auckland United, New Zealand
Daisy Brazendale - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Lily Brazendale - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Penny Brill - Xavier University, USA
Mary Brown - FC Bulleen Lions, Australia
Sophie Campbell - West Coast Rangers, New Zealand
Isla Cleall-Harding - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Amber De Wit - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Charli Dunn - Middle Tennessee State University, USA
Alyssha Eglinton - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Mackenzie Greene - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Ela Jerez - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Mackenzie Longmuir - University of the Cumberlands, USA
Emily Lyon - West Coast Rangers, New Zealand
Charlotte Mortlock - Northern Tigers, Australia
Brooke Neary - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Poppy O'Brien - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

Aotearoa New Zealand have been drawn in Group B at the tournament alongside New Caledonia, hosts Tahiti, and Vanuatu.

The team start against Tahiti on 23 September at 1pm NZT (22 September at 3pm local), before facing New Caledonia on 26 September at 9am NZT (25 September at 11am local), then Vanuatu on 29 September at 10am NZT (28 September at 11am local).

All group games will be played at Stade Paea in Papeete, Tahiti. 

coochiee

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/09/11/samoa-pulls-out-of-ofc-u-19-womens-championship-citing-financial-issues/

That is not good.  On their Facebook page they were still trying to recruit players 3 weeks ago.

I wonder how long before the public announcement players know they've been selected?

It's nice to see nine of our KSC squad included here, they looked understandably down after Sunday's defeat but this has to be the best way to move past it. Especially with the U20 WWC to play for!

Starts this Sunday

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/how-to-watch-ofc-u-19-womens-championship-2025/