New Zealand Men's U-20s
The ref has been very poor - which is a shame as in general at the last couple of tournaments I thought it had go better.
If we get a 2nd look out for the tackles to go flying in.
They clearly look the 2nd best team at this tourney, and the best equipped outside NZ, to go to a World Cup. Got some useful players for sure. Moraica a big threat (though my stream cuts in & out). Guys in NZ & Aussie.
Jayden Singh who plays for Onehunga Sports will be torturing himself, about not converting that pen. Not often kids from the Islands get that close to going to a World Cup.
1 deliberate elbow to the ribs. The violent shove and the Covney incident. The lad who did the shove got yellow and should of git another one later for a blatant late tackle to stop a counter.
And the pen would have been rescinded.
All that said, I was impressed by FIji. Genuinely unlucky and pushed our team all the way.
We lacked a sparkling the middlenof the park to make things happen... not that the pitch helped at all.
Our Goalkeeper made some good saves, but did not dominate his box on corners at all.
We were far from shrinking violets, the game had a huge amount at stake (WC qualification), and the ref was struggling. Not surprised to see emotions blow over a bit.
We were far from shrinking violets, the game had a huge amount at stake (WC qualification), and the ref was struggling. Not surprised to see emotions blow over a bit.
None of the verbal stuff justifies the ridiculously physical stuff going on! The Fijians were way hyped up from the bench to their players, all you could here was their bench yelling and screaming for who knows what - but it certainly wasn't calm! I don't mind these kids being competitive and showing that fighting spirit but the overtly physical tackling and niggle is what should be st4opped and that is on the ref.
Both teams have already qualified for next year's U20 WC in Chile.
https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/content/winner-sf1-v-winner-sf2-final-ofc-u-19-men-s-championship-2024/5adde492-9e5c-4ac4-9694-f3e0904c6ed7
MD-1 training for our U19s before they play New Caledonia tomorrow in the OFC U19 Championship Final🇳🇿🇳🇨
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) July 17, 2024
Watch them in action live on FIFA+ from 1:00pm NZT tomorrow 🎥https://t.co/4MnZ4ifyqQ pic.twitter.com/VAyHjGVeJz
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/solomon-islands-take-3rd-place-in-entertaining-victory-over-fiji/
Here is our starting lineup for the OFC Men's U-19 Championship final against New Caledonia. 🇳🇿⚔️🇳🇨
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) July 18, 2024
▶️ Stream live and free from 1pm NZT at https://t.co/4MnZ4ig6go#U19MC pic.twitter.com/sZfT5ZEDAc
Would surely be beneficial for technical development too. I know Samoa's had a lot of FIFA investment directed its way in the past, so I'm sure facilities like that exist
Would surely be beneficial for technical development too. I know Samoa's had a lot of FIFA investment directed its way in the past, so I'm sure facilities like that exist
Timely. This recent Niche Cache wrap of the Nations Cup, mentioned some of the challenges groundspeople face in the Islands, and likely other underdeveloped countries with a tropical like climate.
My limited understanding (I did do a Turf Management paper at University but that's 25 years ago!) is that thin perennial hardy ryegrasses that you get on most quality sports fields, do better in a cooler climate.
Maybe that's why the best training pitch the AWs found in Vanuatu, was in the hills above Port Vila. A bit cooler perhaps.
A few years back was a guy that posted on here that worked on the stadium grounds staff at Utrecht FC in Holland (Groundskeeper Willie??). He'd know.
https://theniche-cache.com/football/2024/7/1/recapping-the-all-whites-at-the-2024-oceania-nations-cup
Speaking of the pitches, here’s a fantastic anecdote here courtesy of Coen Lammers for Friends of Football:
The best training pitch on the main island of Efate turned out to be at the Montmarte School, far in the hills above Port Vila, surrounded by dense tropical bush which can only be reached after some serious off-roading. The All Whites used Montmarte as their training base, where the support staff got a bit of a fright in their first session, retrieving wayward balls from the bushes and being confronted by huge spiders, allegedly the size of small dogs. As a result, some of the balls were left behind in the bush for the local school kids to retrieve, and the shooting drills were moved to the other goal.”
These guys won't be needing water breaks when they turn up next week to training at NZCIS, Albany or wherever
It was.
Kinda keen to see what Nathan Walker could offer for the Nix. Pretty raw talent, but he's got a good burst of pace on him and a half decent delivery too. Not afraid to take on his man either (albeit with varying levels of success so far at this tournament).
Have said it before but he could definitely be a bolter for at least a scholarship deal.
Coveny & Bulkeley making for a decent CB pairing as well, so it will be interesting to see if Bulkeley ends up heading back to the UAE after this tournament or if Greenacre has been in his ear about a potential spot in the academy, good frame on the lad. To add to that, I can see Coveny cracking Matchday squads for Western United this upcoming A-League season.
2-0 and you'd think that's the championship wrapped up.
Static defending from New Caledonia, but nicely headed home from Supyk.
2-0 and you'd think that's the championship wrapped up.
Static from New Caledonia, but nicely headed home from Supyk.
Someone should tell them that only applies to straight red cards. 😅
CB assist (Coveny) for a CB goal (Bulkeley)!
Don't know what the hell the NC keeper was doing there though.
Wheels well and truly falling off for New Caledonia now.
Olympic qualis - Solos topped their group with 9pts but were beaten by Fiji from our group
OFC Nations Cup - Fiji topped their group with 9pts but were beaten by Vanuatu from our group
U19s - Solos topped their groups with 9pts but were beaten by New Caledonia from our group
Here are your award winners from the OFC U-19 Men's Championship 2024!
— Oceania Football Confederation (@OFCfootball) July 18, 2024
🤝 Fair Play Award - New Zealand
🧤 Golden Glove - Alby Kelly-Heald (NZL)
⚽ Golden Boot - Keegan Kelly (NZL)
🥇 Golden Ball - Luka Coveny (NZL)#U19M
Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek pic.twitter.com/a49fzClBMr
Would surely be beneficial for technical development too. I know Samoa's had a lot of FIFA investment directed its way in the past, so I'm sure facilities like that exist
I don't think you really got an answer to this question.
I too thought FIFA had throw huge wads of cash at the islands and I've seen reports of high quality artificial surfaces being invested in. Why are they not being used? Has corruption eaten up all that money so they never eventuated or have they not been looked after very well?
But
I have a high quality artificial turf in my back yard as the previous owner was quite lazy mowing his lawn (common offence here in the UK). I have noticed it gets very hot when the sun shines on it (much like Raglan's black sand), so maybe that's a factor.
CHAMPIONS! 🏆🇳🇿
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) July 18, 2024
Check out some of the best photos from our celebration in Samoa after winning the 2024 OFC U-19 Men's Championship! ✨
📸 OFC / @PhototekNZ #U19M pic.twitter.com/YHm9Q3qdpM
Coveny has since made his debut for Western United in the Australian Cup, and Bulkeley is currently on trial with Auckland FC.
Big 6ft 5 CB.
Big 6ft 5 CB.
Good to see some young Kiwi CB's emerging behind the likes of Surman, Bindon, Hughes, and even the likes of Coveny & Bulkeley from the recent U19's tournament.
What's the inside word you've got on him mate? And how'd he come to end up at WSW?
He has been there (WSW) for 2-3 years now, having turned down Sydney to go there. Before that he was playing and standing out in their local NSW competition. Family is very sporty, one of his sister represent NSW in triathlons etc, something he has competed in as well and the other players up multiple grades in footy (albeit, is still very young).
Despite been a big lad, he is actually quite mobile, and is a 800m school record holder for running etc, and has played DM whilst at WSW when needed. Technically not bad with the ball either. I believe he has also captained at times the various youth teams he has played for - so a bit of a natural leader as well.
Dedicated player, would go to the park everyday after training by himself to practice against a brick wall etc, working on his touch. Missed a bit of last year with concussion issues.
He came and trained with the U17 team last year when on a family holiday - and felt comfortable with the level, and got good praise. His dad reached out to WPX a little while ago about their program, but got radio silence. Not sure if looking to move, or just get him some training ops whilst away on holiday etc.
Very much a kiwi and certainly would not be out of place when compared to the other u20 CB's. Whether he is deemed to young this time round, and is more of a contender for the 2026 WC I don't know, but NZF is aware of him at least.
Definately worth closer inspection by NZF... and arguably WPX and Auckland if interested in quality youth prospects.