NZ U-20 0 v Portgual 2
NZ U-20 0 v Portgual 2
so 2-0 to Portugal the score.
Obviously they dominated possession, but some of it was
cosmetic.
Some of their guys are gonna be superstars in the
future.
Any of our guys stand out for you?
Why do teams never wear their home colours these days?
Two great opportunities for us at the end. Brockie - jeepers.
Perhaps we should have started with the attacking formation we
finished with?
NZ teams always seem to have a defensive mindset as we lack that
bit of confidence. When we had nothing to lose then you saw a
little of the attacking potential we had
NZ teams have to learn how to keep possesion. A perfect
example of this was in the first half when the right midfielder
(not entirely sure who it was) picked the ball up in a bit of
space, just in our half. With not much on, he had 2 options:
a) turn back, find a team mate and build an attack
b) sprint off down the right wing, into a blind alley, before
being isolated and outnumbered by defenders before giving it
away
Obviously he took option b.
This isn't a criticism of the player, but the coaching and
mind-set in NZ football - the "get it forward" attitude. It
is only when this changes can we expect to start being competitive
at this level.
Aside from that, it was men against boys. Some of their
players (left winger, that Pele chap, the striker) were different
gravy, and I thought that we defended very well to limit the
chances they created with that possesion. Our boys are
definitly going to be better for the experience of playing against
some of their guys.
dan keat and peverly should be signed by the phoenix both class
NZ teams have to learn how to keep possesion.
Couldn't agree more. At the top level against teams who are
clearly more gifted in possession that we are, we have to learn to
value the ball, considering we generally see less of it that the
opposition.
Too often against Portugal it was lost straight after our
defenders had just won it back, by taking poor options when going
forward, usually a hurried ball telegraphed out of defence straight
to their midfield or defenders.
It's strange, as when you watch a lot of our players train,
their ball skills and touch is outstanding, but when it comes to
possession and retaining it, and, as you say Frankie Mac, being
comfortable enough to play the ball in any direction and not just
north, we don't do it.
That said, I thought Dan Keat was fantastic, superb, really
stepping up - a big future ahead. Boxall seemed comfortable, and
Spoonley, although he didn't have to make a top-drawer save, was
confident and safe, as a keeper ought to be. Sam Jenkins played
weel apart from hitting the wall with a free-kick (unforgiveable)
and Greg Draper surely did enough to keep his place when he
came on.
Negatives. Well, obviously Brockie, two bad misses and Craig
Henderson was poor. Hogg and Roydhouse toiled but lack class.
Keat was our stand out. Spoonley played well. Brockie was sh*t.
Defence as a whole performed well against a top notch side.
Portugal won't go too far. Not enough firepower upfront, to
have 20+ shots against a side such as ourselves (hope its not taken
the wrong way) and only score from a dodgy free kick and penalty is
rather poor. Either Pele or Bruno will have to pull the strings for
them.
I look forward to the Gambian match now, they will be more
physical but i think we can take them providing Brockie doesn't
miss an open goal from 10 yards again!!
are the games being screend anywhere or do we have to watch them
streamed over the net?
Im pretty sure the games are live on Sky Sport.
Dan keat was class, worked hard the whole match and put some superb
pulls through for Brockie to stuff up. Thought Sam Peters (right
back) did alright considering their left winger was
incredible.
Spoonley looked confident.
But was was the story with Roddy Brown having to be put down
as a goalie?!
Typical NZS cock up. Thought they were ever so smart in sending
only two keepers and got caught out.
Colin Tua should of been watching because currently his U17
World Cup squad only has 2 keepers named.
Well, well, well... I was really pleased with how we played.
Limited one of the favourites to two goals from set pieces and
realistically we should have come out with a point. I wonder
if Brockie would have started had James been here?
Anyway, looks likes Brockie's chances of a phoenix contract
will be dominishing whilst others, Keat especially maybe
improving. I have faith we WILL make the second round.
Yeah well so long as we build momentum and take heart from this
performance i think we will too.
Well, well, well... I was really pleased with how we played.
Limited one of the favourites to two goals from set pieces and
realistically we should have come out with a point. I wonder
if Brockie would have started had James been here?
Anyway, looks likes Brockie's chances of a phoenix contract
will be dominishing whilst others, Keat especially maybe
improving. I have faith we WILL make the second round.
I don't know about SHOULD have come out of it with a draw, but
I think that we could have with a bit more luck (and extra shot of
confidence).
Standout players for me were Keat, Spoonley and Jenkins.
Sure he (Jenkins) hit the wall, but you could put that down to
nerves. He played a great game otherwise and was willing to
take on the defence, and beat them a few times. I reckon this
attitude rubbed off on the others as the game went on.
Gambia will be pretty tough too. It took a very talented
Mexican side almost an hour to put the first one past them, but I
think if we are as solid in defence and keep our heads better in
attack, we could come away with a result.
I thought we took half an hour to realise the pace that we had to
play the game at, half an hour to get used to playing at that pace
and then did well enough in the last half an hour once we got that
sorted.
I rate Craig Henderson but he just wasn't strong enough on the
ball, it was amazing how much tougher they were than us. Even
if we were bigger they were just physically harder in the air and
in the tackle. Draper definitely added something, he'd be
disappoint ed not to start the next match.
For one of the favourites of the tournament I thought we did
well, but its important we get better for the next mtch.
Stu Jacobs interview at 8 mins 30 secs. http://www.radiosport.co.nz/ThisWeek/31045.wma
sanday2007-07-03 14:59:48
Definitely a strong effort against one of the tournament
favourites. I'm looking forward to the Gambia and Mexico games now.
Too bad my boys in red got their arses handed to them against
Chile... 
I forgot the game was on and so never got up to watch it.
Sounds like we werent completely out-played. Hopefully will get a
better result against The Gambia.
I forgot the game was on and so never got up to watch it.
Sounds like we werent completely out-played. Hopefully will get a
better result against The Gambia.
No we definitely were completely outplayed, it was just that
the last half an hour was a bit more encouraging. They had
2/3 of the possession, but we did limit the chances the
created.
I hate being a doomsayer, but we are aware that Mexico are the
favourites to win the whole tournament aren't we ?
Everyonw is prasind keat... why, he made a couple nice passes but
he gave away alot of ball is non pressure situations.
Boxall was good as was spoons.
Is boxall normally cb?
I struggled to watch it on the FIFA website. the streaming was a
bit sh1t.
From what I saw, and it wasn't much. We just really need to
have more confidence. The boys have got nothing to lose, except
every game. It is likely, if we play like that again. We will lose
every game.
We need to play like we did in the last 10 mins. That was when
they realised they had nothing to lose.
They need to stop booting the ball and getting rid of it as
soon as possible. take a touch look and look around. your mates
should be running into space. Not always forward. The portuguese
wouldn't have bothered chasing the ball around. they would have let
us have some space. Which would have meant we could have held the
ball for more possession.
Gambia are a good side too. look at the highlights. You think
spoonley is going to make those saves. They lost 3-0 and had 15
shots. We only got 5 shots off.
Lets pray for some luck and some extra confidence for the
boys.
LondonChris2007-07-03 21:58:46
Stu Jacobs on Radio Sport audio bank. Today at about 6.50pm
Is boxall normally cb?
Or a Defensive midfielder.
Decent player
what number was Boxall playing in?
I thought the right back did ok too. He managed to get himself
in the way of the striker enough to put him off his stride.
Boxall is 14.
Jenkins was right back from memory, i was rather tired this
morning so memory is jaded.
God I hate how we always defend. Why do we try and grind out 1, 2,
3-0 losses/a draw/ a lucky 1-0 win when we have nothing to lose? We
are usually the underdogs. Why not try and attack? At least lose
with a bit of passion?
The reason the national NZ football teams aren't usually that popular is because we always play insanely boring. No one likes to watch that.
I hope we beat Gambia and play well!
valeo2007-07-06 01:09:05
The reason the national NZ football teams aren't usually that popular is because we always play insanely boring. No one likes to watch that.
I hope we beat Gambia and play well!
valeo2007-07-06 01:09:05
I hate being a doomsayer, but we are aware that Mexico are the
favourites to win the whole tournament aren't we ?
I think 6(?) out of 8 3rd placed teams from the groups go through to the next round so assuming we beat Gambia and limit the damage against Mexico then we have a reasonable chance of going through.