Subject: U20 Australia NT Discussion

Hi, and thanks for re-election.

The team is almost picked... I have selected 21 players (out of 35) so far... and I've spent a few days collating the players, which are now all scouted, in the mega-spreadsheet.. so almost there.

Still ordering 14 forwards, 28 midfielders, 28 defenders and 6 goalies into the top 35 - amazing how symmetrical the numbers are, if only I had 7 goalies instead of 6

Anyway, back to the game... well I accidentally left the team on Very High intensity for the first friendly and we scored a 1-1 draw against stronger China last weekend.... suppose the positive is we moved up one world ranking to 46th - woops.

Now elections have been finalised, I can finally start picking friendlies - but is it a Australia U20 vs Australia U17 this Australia Day Weekend - How appropriate!... No doubt TrueBlue and Suromias will be in the stands with beers aplenty watching! I know the U20 manager will be!!

We're in a tough group this World Cup season with some top teams, so will have to cause some upsets to qualify! Our Group 3 is:
- Czech (Ranked: 2nd)
- Brazil (Ranked: 9th)
- Sweden (Ranked: 20th)
- Netherlands (Ranked: 27th)
- Venezuela (Ranked: 37th)
- Scotland (Ranked: 49th)
- Malaysia (Ranked: 56th )
- Australia (Ranked: 46th)

Until Next time
This is U20!

Evening All,

It was a tough, unlucky, aggressive night for the U20 team last weekend in the first qualifier against Venezuala.

A red card to defender Donald Petch left us us exposed, and they scored 8 minutes after... we went down 1-0. Aggressive tactic might not have been the best tactic... oops, we were however chasing the game with only 45% possession, and an 8-1 shots of target deficit.

On to the next match, Malaysia U20, and we'll be looking to bounce back. Good old Billy Budd will be getting a run replacing the naughty suspended Donald this week.

Until next time
This is U20!

It seems that it was dark day as all our teams lost the match.

However, have a Q Coach:
Are u going to discipline Donald with some fine may be or will u leave it to his club coach to deal with that?

1-0 victory over Scotland in a lucky win - happy about that win with centre forward injured. Going to tough with injuries and suspensions with such a small good squad to pick from!

Next onto the big guns... Brazil, Czech etc.

Until next time
This is U20!

Two matches since that last update, both 1-0 losses to Brazil & Czech ranked 19th & 1st in the world, so not unexpected losses - happy with the 1 goal margin as that might help.

Next week it's the Dutch, so we will try once again for an upset.

Til next time!
This is U20!

Australia U20 vs Netherlands U20 = 1-1 Off 45% possession.

Last qualifying match of this season saw a 0-0 draw against Sweden! So in a season summary we have had draws against the top 2 in the group, losses against the next 3, and wins against the bottom two to finish 6th - but more importantly just 2 points out of the top 4.

A consistent couple of seasons has seen us climb up to 47th U20 rankings, which I think means we qualify for the PPM Challenge Cup for the first time next week (top 48 teams I am led to believe)!

Until next time!
This is U20!

For the first time ever we qualify for the PPM challenge cup in U20. In group 2 we have some strong opponents:
1. England (the old enemy)
2. Turkey (very appropriate for the Anzacs)
3. Portugal (a country half the population of Australia - random trivia)

Wish us luck and we will need it!

Until next time
This is U20!

Going in to the final pool match we are still a chance of progressing after a good 1-1 draw against Turkey, but our fate is really in our own hands which is better than I expected.

Portugal should win the group with 3 wins as easily the strongest.

Turkey have had 2 draws so far.
England a loss and draw.
Australia a loss and draw.

So a win over England is what we need as Portugal should easily beat Turkey.
A draw against England would see 3 teams finish tied 2nd in group on points ... An interesting scenario but we would then miss out by a one goal margin to England.

Until next time
This is U20!

PS: it's been a very interesting PPM week with all the international matches and hosting the senior tournament! Let's keep that up!

England gave us a football lesson with a 3-0 score, so we fail to qualify for playoffs.

We look forward to next season.

Until next time.
This is U20!

The U20 selectors are currently behind closed doors in a selection meeting (really just one selector having a beer looking at a spreadsheet, but let's make it a good story!) - the lucky ones to join the Australian U20 squad will get announced shortly.

Stay tuned!

OK - forwards, midfielders & goalies picked in U20 squad now.... I'm still in the selection room with the defenders - to be sorted tomorrow before our first friendly vs Mexico U20.

We're very light on Side Midfielders this season.

I had a look through my spreadsheet and you appear to have all the ones I'd suggest and you've put a bid on Evan Bouveret who has potential if trained properly.

I wish this midfielder was better trained! Declan Keith

sometimes the issue is bout managers who picks our teenagers so BF bid to get one Q player back home would be great move, I'd say