Subject: U20 Australia NT Discussion

Evening/Morning all

Unhappy & a disappointing 0-0 draw today vs Algeria U20, and looking at the match report I will put this one down to bad luck as we were far the better team.

61% possession, 18 shots vs 5 shots, and we still were not able to find that single score against Algeria who look to be the weakest team in our group. But if we can knock off Israel like last week there is hope.

Will update you later this week as we prepare for our next match.

Until later this week
This is U20!

Evening all

This weekend it's Chile U20, and this will be the most even match all season. Both teams have the exact total ratings with:

Aust: Goa=98, Def=103, Mid=110, Off=57, Total=92
Chile:Goa=82, Def=111, Mid=114, Off=60, Total=92

After the disappointing 0-0 dominating draw against Algeria U20 last week (did I mention 18 shots for us vs 5 shots to them!!!) we'll keep our heads up and go for the win again this week, with some substitutions later in the game this time for some fresh legs... Depth is a problem with our U20 team with the skill really dropping down quickly after the first team, but we have a couple waiting for their opportunity.

The world cup qualifying goal beforehand, and a must do, was to win our first three matches of the rounds - but we are 1 win, 1 draw so far. However there is hope as there has been a surprising number of draws in our Group 7, so we currently still sit equal top on points with Croatia after 2 rounds.

In the other matches in Group 7 last Saturday Croatia drew with Bosnia 0-0, Israel drew with Chile 0-0 and France beat Ireland 2-1.

So we have a new world cup qualifying aim - 3 wins and 1 draw from our first 4 matches... that would be awesome.

Line-up is set, tactics are set for Chile... Two injuries in our team should be 100% fit by Saturday.

Until next week
This is U20!

Evening All

Last weekend match vs Chile went down to the wire as expected... Chile had slightly more possession but the game finished a 0-0 draw.

soccer.powerplaymanager.c...

So the Australian U20 team is still undefeated after the first 3 rounds, with us in 3rd place in the standings, behind Croatia & Bosnia.

Surprisingly we picked up 4 yellow cards, but those don't seem to result in suspension during qualifying which is good.

Now the competition really steps up a notch. Any draw from now on will be a win, any win from now on will be a fluke. So now the tactical games begin. This weekend we're up against France!

In other matches in our group, Croatia beat Ireland 2-0, Bosnia defeated France 1-0 and Israel thumped Algeria 6-0 (what we should have done!).

Until next week,
This is U20!

Evening All

We didn't cause an upset against France U20 on the weekend, with a 2-0 defeat.... However we did hold them scoreless for 79 minutes! Well, they did score in the 4th minute and 83rd minute This game we played an extra attacking midfielder, with one centre forward.

Next weekend is another David & Goliath battle as we are up against the big gun, Croatia, but we'll be looking to be competitive. Currently in 4th place in the qualifying table, it could come down to for and against points.

Hopefully a stunning upset next weekend! Or even an amazing draw!

Until next week, This is U20!

Evening All

The luck of the Irish! Twas not to be tonight as a gutsy Australian U20 team went down to Ireland U20 2-1. Australia went ahead after a goal to William Goode in the 22nd minute, but Ireland hit back with two goals before half-time. The second half was scoreless.

After last week's 2-0 loss to the top of the table CroatiA U20, we're back in the lower half of the qualifying table, and as expected these last 4 games are tough. We really needed to win our first 3 games of the qualifying to be a change (we ended up with one win and two draws however in those first 3).

So we finish up with Bosnia next week, and bookmakers will be tipping another loss to Australia as Bosnia are challenging Croatia, but there is always hope of a draw!

We've haven't had a whole to of players to rotate for our games as the pool of top talent in U20 is pretty light this season... I'm looking forward to seeing those 18 U17 age players in the U17 National Team having an opportunity to be in our U20 squad next season... Should have them all fully scouted in the next few days.

The U20 NT will have 11 U20 players moving up at the end of the season (5 of those are currently in our starting team).

Until next week,
This is U20!

Evening All,

The U20 Aussies went down 2-0 on the weekend to a pretty clinical strong Bosnian side. Not much possession for our guys as we were outclassed. That match was the final qualifying match this season, with the rest of qualifying matches next season.

The U20 World Cup campaign now stands at 1 win, 2 draws and 4 losses, but some results have gone our way in the group to keep the U20 Aussie right in contention for qualifying next season, with luck.

The Group 7 rankings are:
1st: Croatia on 19 points
2nd: Bosnia on 17 points
3rd: France on 13 points
=4th: Chile on 7 points
=4th: Ireland on 7 points
=4th: Israel on 7 points
7th: Australia on 5 points
8th: Algeria on 2 points

The team has been competitive in every match with the largest losing margin only 2 goals - with luck these losses can turn into draws next season, and maybe we can convert the draws into wins ... OK, I'm optimistic!

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Special mentions and some U20 individual recognition include:

Forwards: William Goode (Beta FC) has been outstanding, leading the shots on target count, and scoring in the campaign. He is just 19 so will be staring next season.

Midfielders: We've been impresses by Jack Berry (Colah), Zachary Downing (FCPartizan) & from off the bench in an attacking midfield role Mitchell Matheson (Paris). All are 19 so the midfield is looking good for next season.

Backs: Xavier Thompson (Beta) is probably the pick of the defenders, again happy to see he has another season in U20.

Goalkeepers: Hard to split Max Morgan & Austin Harbridge with both keeping near 80%, and they've had a fair few shots directed at them - 30!

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This weekend is a final friendly vs Spain U20, and then I believe there might be one of those rapid PPM challenges to finish the season.

Until next time
This is U20!

It's been a tough comp. I think you can be very pleased with how the team has done. Our chemistry is building so the team will naturally get stronger and better.

I can't wait till next season.

TB is right, u done very well in a first yr...
..bring it on!

Evening All

Firstly, thank you for re-electing me for another season of U20 Australia. It's been fun and interesting and hopefully you have shared the journey.

Still smarting over that draw with Algeria... a win (as should have be expected) would have put up 2 more points up and to equal on 4th on 7 points. Unfortunately we're in 7th on 5 points.

In last weekend's friendly vs Spain, Australia U20 put up an U19 team with a look to the future. Against a dominant spanish team (60% to 40%) we went down 5-0.

Next season, we'll be on equal pegging with other U20 teams with our full compliment of players with U20's not being able to play in senior. If I am correct in my understanding two senior players Declan Gray and Flynn Ayres will be back to boost the U20 defense.

Until next season,
This is U20!

Can players under 20 not play for the senior from next season

Correct, they are back to U20... confirmed by vlady.

Thats disappointing for me but good luck with them they are great up and coming players.

U will get them back before you can notice it let see how great job can BF achieve w/them

Hello & Welcome to the 2nd Season of U20 Australia

Today we have the official team announcement and press conference from the U20 Aussie Manager. Questions will be taken at the end.

29 players have been selected for the U20 train-on squad this season with plenty of new faces graduating from last years U17 NT players, and a couple of old faces coming back from the senior team!

Let's get underway and congratulations to those selected.

In the forwards we have:
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CF Luke Burton from FEODOSIA
CF William Goode from Beta's F.C
CF Ben Stone from Colah Creek
CF Declan Watkins from Highland Terriers
CF Martin Balks from Dragons HE

In the midfield we have:
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CM Jack Berry from Colah Creek
SM Zachary Downing from FCPartizan Beograd
CM Mitchell Matheson from Paris Rueillois
CM Christopher Cullinane from 2020 VISION FC
SM Jackson York from Colah Creek
SM Jordan Mullen from PFK BABILY UNITED
SM Dawson Stanton from FC Cistici
CM Noah Brown from Colah Creek
CM Julian Rapmund from Draci Janova
CM Derek Ross from Internazionale zl
CM Stephen Little from Barbalicious

In the defense we have:
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SD Declan Gray from Arsenal Londyn
CD Flynn Ayres from FK Slatina
CD Xavier Thompson from Beta's F.C
SD John Lowe from Colah Creek
CD Morgan McCarron from Bayern Kids
SD Owen Swansson from Colah Creek
SD Thomas Powell from Colah Creek
SD Chris Oxenham from Dublin Kings F.C.
CD Peyton Reardon from FC Shark United ™
SD Gregory Lonergan from Prestige

In the goal we have:
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G Trey Denney from Colah Creek
G Peter Robinson from Singapore Corinthians
G Emanuel Frendon from The Reds from Merseyside

Well, that's it for team announcement today, we'll bring you more team analysis shortly.

On your way out, leave the beer behind!

Until next time
This is U20!

Looks good mate, Next stop U20s world cup.