New Zealand Women's U-20s

What's most frustrating is that Austria aren't even that good - this isn't like the Japan game where we got well beaten by a team that were brilliant and technically supreme.

Technically I don't think the Austrian players are far ahead of us, but our tactical setup and decisions under pressure are so poor. How many more tournaments can Birnie continue to ride off the coat-tails of 2018?

Just tuned in. Kinda wished I didn't

MetalLegNZ

The blonde CB for NZ is a woeful passer of the ball. Hasn't hit feet almost all game... and she can't track a runner... totally watching the ball not the player for that third goal.

New Phoenix scholarship player !!!

Great header by Clegg. 

lthomas20

What's most frustrating is that Austria aren't even that good - this isn't like the Japan game where we got well beaten by a team that were brilliant and technically supreme.

Technically I don't think the Austrian players are far ahead of us, but our tactical setup and decisions under pressure are so poor. How many more tournaments can Birnie continue to ride off the coat-tails of 2018?

 NZF bosses just happy to have a womens coach eho doesn't get accussed of bullying maybe?

Ranix

Great header by Clegg. 

 She just loves scoring at age group World Cups

lthomas20

Ranix

Great header by Clegg. 

 She just loves scoring at age group World Cups

Hasn't done much else though. No saying its her fault, but the lack of attacking ball outside long hoofs played today was poor.

A better final 10, but way too late.

Are we afraid to play?

I remember watching this team at U17 level and thinking our defence was below par compared to other age group women's teams over the years. 
The addition of Findlay since that tournament has helped. But now conceding 10 goals over 2 games is not confidence inspiring.

Considering our respective world rankings it's pretty remarkable that we've become better at mens age group tournaments than womens age group tournaments - particularly since covid

lthomas20

Considering our respective world rankings it's pretty remarkable that we've become better at mens age group tournaments than womens age group tournaments - particularly since covid

Just another sign, of the raising standards in the women's international game, that will likely take many countries past NZ. For example this is the first Austrian team to qualify for any female football World Cup at any level.

MetalLegNZ

That was off side - the replay showed it clearly. Very bad call looking at that.
Still doesn't hide how poor we are defensively.

We lose a game 7 - 0, and no one is dropped from the back 4?

Second goal looked onside to me, our defender dropped right back and played them on. But I was not impressed with keeper and centre halves in the first game , or the second one.

MetalLegNZ

We finally press - force a turn over and win a penalty.

Surprised not to see Clegg take it.

Follow up was offside. meh.

I've never known here (Milly) to take a penalty, mind you I'd never seen her head the ball before today either.

One of the downsides of her development path is not being the dominant player that would take the penalties, or being exposed to penalty shootouts at APC, NZSS, Western Springs u17, Napier u19 

I dont want to be over critical of individuals, cos they are all young and on a journey, they will improve and learn.

But what struck me about the NZ performance was how formulaic it was, if you have watched one NZ game - it looks like all the others. 

Everybody adopts the same positions, does the same thing (usually passing back), its just so repetitive, predictable and dull. Imagination and innovation dont seem to exist. And its quite boring to the spectator as a result. 

If there are coaches, then they are teaching everyone to do exactly the same thing in particular situations.  Players look to be being groomed to take their sameness to the next grade up, and then continue with their formula.

Pj in the middle did look to turn a little when we were 2 - 0 down.

But overall, so deflating. No imagination as you say with the ball, and such a poor mindset on defense.

Terrific header Millie!

Fenix

I dont want to be over critical of individuals, cos they are all young and on a journey, they will improve and learn.

But what struck me about the NZ performance was how formulaic it was, if you have watched one NZ game - it looks like all the others. 

Everybody adopts the same positions, does the same thing (usually passing back), its just so repetitive, predictable and dull. Imagination and innovation dont seem to exist. And its quite boring to the spectator as a result. 

If there are coaches, then they are teaching everyone to do exactly the same thing in particular situations.  Players look to be being groomed to take their sameness to the next grade up, and then continue with their formula.

Exactly this.
It’s why I rarely watch football these days.  It’s so dull. Every coach is so terrified of losing that all expression and original thought has gone from the game.
And they wonder why crowds don’t turn out except for special occasions.

We started off very poor, and I thought we could be in for something similar to the Japan game!

Well taken header by Milly Clegg, and all things considered, the scoreline didn't end up looking too terrible.

I'm hopeful we can be competitive against Ghana, but its hard to know how we stack up against them at the moment.

I'd like to see Aimee Danieli get a start against Ghana, I feel she deserves some playing time, and Iro hasn't done anything to keep the starting position locked down

Half a Pint

We started off very poor, and I thought we could be in for something similar to the Japan game!

Well taken header by Milly Clegg, and all things considered, the scoreline didn't end up looking too terrible.

I'm hopeful we can be competitive against Ghana, but its hard to know how we stack up against them at the moment.

I'd like to see Aimee Danieli get a start against Ghana, I feel she deserves some playing time, and Iro hasn't done anything to keep the starting position locked down

Iro has been let down badly by her defense.

Maybe we can’t be better than the opposition in terms of technical ability. But geez we could be fitter and so press more aggressively than them to force them into mistakes. We never had McMeeken or the other full back get forward and overlap to create overloads. Enjoyed watching Pjienberg (sp?!) playing - she technically can be a depth player for the senior ferns. For the defence maybe they converted mid fielders to be defenders due to their better technique and control? But faaaar out their positioning is dire. The tussle between two players in the lead up to the first goal and then leaving her unchallenged to simply head it in? The stuff of nightmares. And the second goal what’s up with our set up on defending set pieces???? We had 9 players in our own goal box against 5 of theirs and they still managed to scramble it in. Lame performance. Yes defenders let Iro down, but also she is in charge of her box and has responsibility to organise her defence. May as well give Danielli a chance in the last game and at least one new centre back that can safely head the ball with correct technique. I honestly expect way more from our team. 

MetalLegNZ

Half a Pint

We started off very poor, and I thought we could be in for something similar to the Japan game!

Well taken header by Milly Clegg, and all things considered, the scoreline didn't end up looking too terrible.

I'm hopeful we can be competitive against Ghana, but its hard to know how we stack up against them at the moment.

I'd like to see Aimee Danieli get a start against Ghana, I feel she deserves some playing time, and Iro hasn't done anything to keep the starting position locked down

Iro has been let down badly by her defense.

I don't mean to come across as blaming Iro, I more just mean that with someone else in goal we probably won't be any better or worse so I'd like to see Danieli given a chance being that it could be the last match

MetalLegNZ

Half a Pint

We started off very poor, and I thought we could be in for something similar to the Japan game!

Well taken header by Milly Clegg, and all things considered, the scoreline didn't end up looking too terrible.

I'm hopeful we can be competitive against Ghana, but its hard to know how we stack up against them at the moment.

I'd like to see Aimee Danieli get a start against Ghana, I feel she deserves some playing time, and Iro hasn't done anything to keep the starting position locked down

Iro has been let down badly by her defense.

While that is of course true, her technique has been exposed too. She doesnt come off the line either. Plenty of room for improvement!

Ive only seen Danieli for 10 minutes for the Phoenix, but give her a go!

We ain't great, but Australia are no better. Maybe worse

They finish with their third 2-0 loss, this time to Cameroon.
3 games, 3 losses, no goals scored.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/09/07/world/u20-womens-world-cup/australia-under-20/cameroon-cameroon-under-20/4356774/

Sad indictment on the ALW.

Fiji lost 11-0 to France
GF 0 GA 29

Fiji 3 losses 
Australia 3 losses
Hopefully NZ can break the drought for this part of the world

coochiee

Fiji lost 11-0 to France
GF 0 GA 29

Fiji 3 losses 
Australia 3 losses
Hopefully NZ can break the drought for this part of the world

Hey least we scored a goal!

But yes a draw or win vs Ghana would be a nice way to finish, at least better the Aussies then

Coach has gone home for health reasons.

Rumor is he watched replays of their games so far and his stomach couldn't take it.

I'm ready to be hurt again

We are already eliminated anyway as are Ghana - 4 other 3rd place teams have finished with 4pts so regardless of what happens today both teams are going home.

Just hoping we can play better and come home with something.

Should have played Danieli

Entertaining one so far... disallowed goal for Bercelli, some good Ghanaian chances, this one could be a real goalfest!

Unfortunately I'd fancy Ghana with the way we are defending

Cant believe Ghana havent scored.
Elliott and McMeekin look decent at least

VAR saves us this time!

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

Ghana started the second half far better. Amazed we are not behind.

Deserved goal, shock horror it's from a set piece

Holy crap where did that come from? Ghana keeper all over the place but a great finish from Manaia Elliot - game on!

Not a pen imo - seems like keeper gets ball first and Clegg steps on her

Aaaand it's 2-1 to them. Topsy turvy game. Looping header beats Iro.

Typical they the score immediately after that penalty decision 

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