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31/10/2015
NZ suffered a heart breaking defeat Photo Credit - Getty Images New Zealand suffered a heart breaking 1-0 defeat to Brazil in stoppage-time of the Round of 16 qualifier at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup. Brazil edged past a brave New Zealand side in Vina Del Mar and needed a stoppage-time penalty kick to win 1-0. In the 94th minute Brazil surged down the left-flak and whipped the ball into the box. James McGarry lunging for possession toppled Henrique who collapsed shot gun and claimed the penalty. It was a fair foul, but an extravagant tumble made the challenge look worse than it was. Henrique steeped forward and blasted the ball low-right into the net. Keeper Michael Woud anticipated the correct direction, but was unable to block the shot. The first half was characterised by resilient New Zealand defence. Brazil without star Lincoln due to a red card from the previous game, enjoyed the majority of possession. Woud made three key saves in the first half, denying Geovane and Luis Henrique on two separate occasions. New Zealand were unable to get a single shot off in the first half, however, they were appealing for a penalty kick when Connor Probert was brought down in the area. New Zealand had a heart-in-mouth moment early in the second half when Woud, who had been flawless during the match, left his penalty area to make a clearance, only for it land at the feet of Luis Henrique whose shot was drilled straight at the New Zealand defense and cleared. Woud made a save at his near post in the 62nd minute after an extended period of Brazilian pressure on the New Zealand backline. And just when the momentum seemed to be on Brazil's side, Kleber conceded a penalty kick to New Zealand after tripping Lucas Imrie in the area. However it was heartbreak for New Zealand as McGarry missed the resulting penalty kick, blasting his shot over the crossbar. Unfortunately for McGarry that would not be the worst part of his day. After enduring a couple of chances from New Zealand, Brazil continued to control the game and eventually broke down the stoic New Zealand defence. Brazil outshot New Zealand 25-1. They had 69% of possession, six corners and attained 19 free kicks. New Zealand blocked 10 shots and forced 19 off target. Captain Jack-Henry Sinclair led by example with his hustle and leadership. Woud was outstanding and after the French disaster only conceded two goals in three games. Connor Probert tried hard to engineer things on attack and was a part of a steady midfield defensive wall. New Zealand can be well-pleased with their efforts at this tourney. The All Whites are currently ranked 148th in the world, their lowest ever ranking. The Under-23 Olympic qualifying tournament was a fiasco and questions surrounding the future of the Wellington Phoenix have meant a bad headlines for football recently The Young All Whites guts has put New Zealand football back on the map. 
28/10/2015
FIFA U17 - Imrie strikes as NZ progress Photo Credit: Getty Images The New Zealand Men’s U-17 side reached the knockout stage of the FIFA U-17 World Cup on Monday with a dramatic 2-1 win over Paraguay at the Estadio Chinquihue in Puerto Montt, Chile.
Needing the victory to secure their place in the round of 16 of the tournament for the third time, Danny Hay’s side were facing elimination in stoppage time with the score locked at 1-1 but Lucas Imrie’s volleyed winner in the 91st minute turned things around completely. Earlier, New Zealand took an 11th minute lead via a Hunter Ashworth header from Connor Probert’s corner but Paraguay responded and drew level two minutes before halftime as Marcelino Namandu’s deflected shot flew beyond Michael Woud in the New Zealand goal after the ball had struck both the crossbar and the post in the lead-up. Chasing the winner in the second half, New Zealand seemed set to be denied against 10 men after chances came and went to Logan Rogerson, Connor Probert and substitute Sarpreet Singh but Imrie’s volleyed finish secured their berth in the knockout phase against Brazil on Thursday (NZ time). The energy and commitment of the New Zealand side saw the team open the match on the front foot, causing issues for Paraguay from a succession of set pieces and it was by that method Hay’s side took the lead in the 11th minute. Probert’s whipped corner was met at the near post by Ashworth who glanced his header into the far side netting to give New Zealand the lead. But from there Paraguay went up a gear and began to string together more regular phases of possession but without regularly threatening Michael Woud in the New Zealand goal. Woud was called into action twice in the opening 35 minutes, down well to save a shot after a New Zealand turnover before an excellent tip over from a goal bound Paraguay effort just after the half hour mark. With halftime approaching Paraguay drew level in bizarre circumstances, hitting the cross bar and the post in a flurry of action after a free kick which also saw Woud make an excellent stop. But the danger wasn’t cleared and Namandu found space to fire in a shot from the angle which took a deflection through a crowd of players on its way into Woud’s net. The second half turned on the dismissal of Namandu for a second caution with the New Zealand side pushing forward against the 10 men of Paraguay, Rogerson enjoying the first good chance - seeing his low shot bound for the bottom right corner turned aside by goalkeeper Miguel Martinez just after the hour. New Zealand continued to press for a winner and 10 minutes later, moments after joining the action from the bench, Sarpreet Singh teed up Probert with an excellent cut back from the byline but the wide man slipped at the vital moment without testing Martinez. Singh himself was unlucky not to put New Zealand ahead soon after, seeing his shot from distance touched onto the crossbar by Martinez but there was still time for the Wellington Phoenix player to set up Imrie’s winner with a delicious scooped pass which, when slammed home by the New Zealand striker, sent the Kiwis wild as they reached the round of 16 as they did in 2009 and 2011. The Men’s U-17s will now face Group B winners Brazil at the Estadio Sausalito in Vina del Mar on Thursday 29 October at 9am (NZ time). FIFA U-17 World Cup 2015 – Group F Monday 26 October Estadio Chinquihue Puerto Montt, Chile New Zealand 2-1 Paraguay (half: 1-1) NZL: Hunter Ashworth 11’, Lucas Imrie 90+1’ PAR: Marcelino Namandu 43’ New Zealand: 1. Michael Woud (GK), 2. Jack-Henry Sinclair (capt - 15. Luke Johnson 88’), 5. Liam Williams, 8. Dane Schnell, 9. Connor Probert, 10. Logan Rogerson, 11. James McGarry, 13. Joe Bell (17. Callum McCowatt 60’), 14. Owen Parker-Price (7. Sarpreet Singh 71’), 16. Hunter Ashworth, 20. Lucas Imrie Substitutes not used: 3. Liam Jones, 4. Oliver Ceci, 6. Ben Mata, 12. Reuben Clark (GK), 18. Ahmad Mohammadi, 19. Sean Skeens, 21. Christian Woodbridge (GK) Coach: Danny Hay
25/10/2015
New Zealand Under-17 Draw With Syria Getty Images A considerably improved performance by the New Zealand Under-17 team will not be enough to see them progress to the next round of the FIFA World Cup in Chile.
New Zealand has been held to a 0-0 draw by Syria, despite creating several chances to score. The most telling moment of the match occurred in the second minute when New Zealand won a penalty. Connor Probert drove the ball low-left, but hit the post, squandering the Kiwis best chance. It would be harsh to attribute sole blame to Probert’s miss as the biggest reason why New Zealand shared honours in this game. There was a catalogue of opportunities that went begging. In the 24th minute striker Logan Rogerson sent an uncontested header wide of the target. The same player pushed a shot across the face of goal in the 44th minute and glanced a header over the bar in the 71st minute. Earlier in the 39th minute Hunter Ashworth wriggled in between two defenders and rushed towards goal, only to shoot weakly. In the first-half New Zealand outshot Syria 4-1 in a game that struggled to soar to great heights. Syria played with greater urgency in the second period and caused some moments of consternation for New Zealand. Keeper Michael Woud was forced into diving saves in the 49th and 52nd minutes following strong shots by substitute striker Mohamad Al Hallak. In the 61st minute Woud produced his best effort leaping into the air, with both feet off the ground, to fist away a spiralling volley from Mhd Zid Gharir. New Zealand continued to press, but was unable to gain a breakthrough. In the 57th minute Lucas Emery breezed past two defenders and passed to Liam Williams who shot limply on goal. Sean Skeens was a hive of activity when he came onto the field, dashing up the left flank. He found himself unmarked, in the box, in the 77th minute, but again the finish was poor. In the end Syria narrowly won possession 51% to 49% and outshot New Zealand 11-10, but the Young All Whites will rue their missed chances which were more obvious than anything Syria created.
23/10/2015
NZ U17 Football KO World Cup Photo Credit - www.photosport.co.nz
The New Zealand Men’s U-17s are set to begin their seventh FIFA U-17 World Cup campaign on Tuesday (NZ time) with their Group F opener against France in Chile.
Playing at the Estadio Chinquihue in Puerto Montt, the New Zealand team, led by coach Danny Hay, will also face Syria and Paraguay in the first phase of the tournament. Having been in Chile for almost two weeks, warm-up games against Mexico and South Africa produced respective 5-1 and 1-0 defeats with a shadow tournament starting side used for the second match against the African side. Hay says the team have benefitted greatly from that preparation both on and off the field. “We’ve had 12 days over here in Chile and we’ve had a couple of very good practise matches under our belt against Mexico and South Africa. “For the boys that was the first time they’ve faced that sort of standard. I think it’s shown them the sort of level they need to be stepping up to in the first game against France tomorrow.” Hay said with their opening match now less than 24 hours away, the group are itching to test themselves against one of the heavyweights in world football. “The players and the staff are all super excited. We’ve got to a place where we are really comfortable with where we are at and where we’re going. “We understand that France are a world class side and destroyed the European competition over there and comprehensively beat Germany in the final. You’ve got quality of players that are sitting on the bench for Arsenal’s first team. “We know it’s going to be very, very tough but that’s the beauty of football. We think we’re prepared and well organised and on the day you never know what will happen.” The New Zealand coach, who played 31 times for the All Whites, says the key to a good performance in their Group F opener is in the mental application shown by the players. “For me the big thing for our boys is can they concentrate for a full 90 minutes against a side of this quality,” Hay said. “We know if they switch off for a second they will get punished, such is the quality of the players we’re playing against. “We’re going to be as aggressive as we possibly can and try and press high as team and be very positive in what we do. We’ll try to maintain possession better than some New Zealand teams have in the past. But we’re under no illusions as to exactly how difficult that is. It’s one thing wanting to do that but having the ability is something else. “It’s going to be a real eye-opener for our boys tomorrow but we’re certainly not frightened by it, we’re excited by it. We’re going to be as positive and aggressive as we can in taking the game to them.” All three of New Zealand’s pool matches and all of the games from the quarter-finals onwards will be shown LIVE on SKY Sport 3. FIFA U-17 World Cup – Group F Puerto Montt, Chile Estadio Chinquihue New Zealand v France Monday 19 October, 5pm (Tuesday 20 October, 9am – NZ time) LIVE on SKY Sport 3 New Zealand (from): 1. Michael Woud (GK), 2. Jack-Henry Sinclair, 3. Liam Jones, 4. Oliver Ceci, 5. Liam Williams, 6. Ben Mata, 7. Sarpreet Singh, 8. Dane Schnell, 9. Connor Probert, 10. Logan Rogerson, 11. James McGarry, 12. Reuben Clark (GK), 13. Joe Bell, 14. Owen Parker-Price, 15. Luke Johnson, 16. Hunter Ashworth, 17. Callum McCowatt, 18. Ahmad Mohammadi, 19. Sean Skeens, 20. Lucas Imrie, 21. Christian Woodbridge (GK) Coach: Danny Hay 
23/10/2015
New Zealand Brave, France Fabulous www.photosport.co.nz New Zealand have been given a football lesson in their opening match at the FIFA Under-17 World Championships in Chile. The European Champions have trounced the Kiwis by 6-1. New Zealand produced a respectable display in the second-half, scoring a goal and conceding only once in the 90th minute, but a disastrous period just before halftime where four goals were conceded well and truly settled the match. France started in ominous form consistently peppering the New Zealand goal. Midfielder Christ Emmanuel Maouassa made a piercing run up the left flank and his cross took a deflection, hitting the post inside the opening ten minutes. New Zealand conceded initially in the 15th minute when James McGarry scored an own goal, accidentally tapping the ball it into his own net while trying to defuse a French foray on goal. In the 20th minute Jeff Reine Adelaide blasted a vicious strike directly at New Zealand keeper Michael Woud who saved. In the 26th minute Woud parried an equally fierce shot by Odsonne Edouard wide of goal. Eventually the pressure told and the levee broke. Bilal Boutobba doubled France’s lead in the 32nd minute with a quick cutback inside New Zealand’s area and a powerful shot past New Zealand’s No1. Two minutes later, Christ Emmanuel Maouassa beat four defenders and the keeper to make it 3-0. Mamadou Doucoure scored from an uncontested header off a corner kick from the left side and just before the break France made it 5-0 when Alec Georgen finished off a great pass from captain Thimote Cognat. France didn’t attack with the same zest and accuracy in the second-half, but New Zealand showed some fight. Callum McCowatt came on as a holding midfielder and seemed to strengthen the defense. Captain Jack-Henry Sinclair had his work cut out, but was tenacious and striker Logan Rogerson had his moments on attack. He squandered a great a chance in the 65th minute when he fired meekly at the French keeper Luca Zidane after some fine work by Luca Imrie. Ten minutes later he dashed down the left-wing and crossed precisely to McGarry who made amends for his earlier own goal by putting New Zealand on the scoreboard. In the final minute of stoppage time, Odsonne Edouard scored a sixth for France with a fine piece of individual skill. Edouard was the leading goal scorer at the European Championships and is tipped to have a big future in the game. He has scored 36 goals in 31 games for his country. Luca Zidane is the son of World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane. France enjoyed 63% of possession and out shot New Zealand 17-4. This will be the Young All Whites toughest match of the group stage. They showed some grit in the second spell, but it will be tough to advance to the next round after such a heavy defeat.  
The top 54 secondary school footballers in NZ are under the microscope as they trial for the NZ Schools team for 2016. With only the South Island trial still be held, it is an exciting time for all involved. All the best to the following:
Ethan FINDLEY - Hutt International Boys Jacob MASSEURS - Wellington College Liam OUTTRIM - Palmerston North Boys High Matt ROODBEEN - New Plymouth Boys High Raffaele - DEVITT St Patrick's College (Town) Ryan MATTHEWS - Wellington College Fraser NORRINGTON - Rongotai College Gian SQUATRITI - New Plymouth Boys High Jarrod STANT - Kapiti College Phil THOMPSON - Kapiti College Alex STURMER - New Plymouth Boys High Owen COMBER - St Paul's Collegiate George OTT - St Paul's Collegiate Hanre BOTHA - Pompallier Catholic College Flynn CONNOLLY - St Peters School (Cambridge) Dilraj DOSANJH - Fraser High School Clarke FOULDS - Westlake Boys High School Joseph LONG-SMITH - St Peters College Auckland Rory LORD - Waiuku College Stuart LUSTY - Waiuku College Ryan SINGH - Albany Senior High School Liam WALTERS - Waiuku College Leon VAN DEN HOVEN - Mt Albert Grammar Jonty BARRY-LEACH - St Peters School (Cambridge) Ewan BUSSEY - St Peter's School (Cambridge) Benjamin DANIEL - Botany Downs Secondary College Zachary EDWARDS - Kings College Chris GOODWIN - Hamilton Boys High Mitchel HANMORE - Excellere College Quinton KIPARA - St Peter's School (Cambridge) Kyle LEVELL - Bream Bay College Kurtis LUTJE SPELBERG - Waiuku College Thomas MCCLOY - Sacred Heart College Auckland Lachlan MCISAAC - Hamilton Boys High Anton MOORE - Mt Albert Grammar Zachary NEWDICK - St Paul's Collegiate Jack PIRIE - Westlake Boys High School Mattheu PONG - Botany Downs Secondary College Harry PORRITT - St Paul's Collegiate Monte RADBURN - Gisborne Boys High School Liam BROWN - Howick College Chris WALDEN - Howick College Daniel LOUGH - Westlake Boys High School Cuan GREEN - Ormiston Senior College Greg NIMMO - Westlake Boys High School Jacob RICHARDS - Papanui High School Dean GIBSON - Christchurch Boys High School Angus HOOPER - Catholic Cathedral College Emrys MCNABB - Otago Boys High School Drew FARNSWORTH - New Plymouth Boys High David MAISEY - Nelson College LaBu PAN - Nelson College Van ROLAND - Nelson College Matt TOD-SMITH - Nelson College  In 2014 Logan Rogerson was the best player in the Hamilton Boys’ High School First XI football team. He helped the team finish fourth at the National Championships and scored the winning goal in the Super 8 final.
This year the 17 year old received an unexpected call-up to the senior national team for an international in Myanmar. To say it has been it’s a big year for Rogerson would be a significant understatement. Despite his tender age, he also featured with the national Under-23 team in the Olympic Qualifying Series. The striker scored a hat-trick in the match against New Caledonia as New Zealand won the tourney – a title that was unfortunately stripped when FIFA ruled South African-born Deklan Wynne was ineligible to play for New Zealand. In January Rogerson was awarded the Golden Boot award as the best player at the Under-17 Oceania World Cup qualifiers. He scored a goal in the final as New Zealand eventually foiled a tenacious Tahiti in oppressive heat. There was further award for Rogerson when he headed home. He was scouted to join the Wellington Phoenix and a month ago singed a three year contract. Rogerson explains why he left school. “The Phoenix is the only professional environment in the country and we train everyday including gym sessions and recovery sessions. Being a professional at 17 is a wonderful opportunity. I am very grateful and will continue to work hard,” he says. Rogerson admits he misses his mates at Hamilton Boys’, but has a high profile friend who has been a helpful mentor. “Marco Rojas has had a big impact. I’ve watched him grow up as a footballer when he played at my club. I trained with him and to go away with him with the All Whites was a real thrill,” Rogerson says. Rojas is the second youngest player to have played for the Phoenix. He is currently playing for Swiss club FC Thun on loan from VfB Stuttgart, a participant in the lucrative Bundesliga in Germany. Rogerson hopes to follow in a similar direction to Rojas, but in the immediate future the Under-17 World Cup in Chile is the priority. The tournament for New Zealand starts on October 19 against France. The other two group games are against Syria and Paraguay. Rogerson concedes the build up has been personally difficult. “I’ve been in Wellington training with the Phoenix, but the other lads have been together for a while playing warm up games week in and week out”, he says. “Our trainings consist of learning the style of play that runs through all the national teams from the All Whites to Under-17 level.” There might be subtle differences in the approach of the national squad and the Phoenix, but Rogerson insists New Zealand are in good shape to perform well. “Our expectation is to qualify for the second round and then we will reassess our goals. Our toughest opponent will probably be the opening group game against France. They are a really good side.” |
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