joseph1013:
[b][size=14pt]Beeche: New Zealand will deliver a world-class tournament[/size]



With the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 now less than 48 hours away, FIFA and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) today held a media conference in Auckland's Sky City Grand Hotel. Discussing the upcoming tournament were Marion Mayer-Vorfelder and Rhiannon Martin of FIFA and the LOC's Dave Beeche.

Marion Mayer-Vorfelder, FIFA Head of the Olympics, Club World Cup and U-20 World Cup

We're just two days away from kicking off FIFA's second-biggest tournament, and it's very exciting. We've been working for many years together with the LOC and we've had great support from the government here, both at local and national level. We've also had many opportunities to travel the country and feel the excitement. The closer we've got to the tournament, we can definitely feel the momentum building. The teams have now arrived too, which is a big milestone, and we've had very positive feedback from them. Also, the FIFA delegation yesterday had the honour to be invited to be to a traditional Maori welcome at the Orakai Marae, which was a magnificent experience. We now have 24 teams with young, great players ready to enjoy the best moments of the careers so far. We are looking forward to a great success and we are sure that it will be just that.

Rhiannon Martin, FIFA Project Lead U-20 World Cup

We've now sent out our key operational people, led by our general coordinators, to all seven of the host cities. They have been very impressed with stadiums they have seen, and the training sites are very good as well. A lot of hard work has gone in from local football clubs to bring these up to the high level and standards befitting the players we will see at this tournament. This development also leaves a legacy, which is always one of FIFA's key wishes at its tournaments. Operationally, covering all the key areas - marketing, media, medical, security - we are satisfied with what we've seen since we arrived in New Zealand, and the feedback we're receiving every day is very positive. The teams have also spoken of the warm welcomes they have received around the country and we've had some very positive feedback from them. Several have praised the standard of pitches, saying that they are of a higher standard than a lot of senior events they have experienced. Our congratulations for that go to the LOC and the people on the ground in the venues.

Dave Beeche, Local Organising Committee CEO

It's a really exciting time for us, just two days out for kick-off on what's been a long journey of four years since we were awarded this tournament. The rubber really hits road when the teams arrive and I'm pleased to say that the last of the teams got in today and that all has gone well. Operationally, we're absolutely ready to deliver an outstanding, world-class tournament. The first game kicks off at 1pm on Saturday and we're looking forward to celebrating global football in front of a full stadium. The momentum round the country has really picked up over the last couple of weeks and we're very pleased both with the level of engagement at community level and with ticket sales, which are growing exponentially. [/b]

tbaba1234:


Those teams were laced with people already in the first team not just under 21s

TheGoodJoe:


We are talking Nacho adapting. A young side made of mostly youngsters outclassed people with years of Premier League experience.

tbaba1234:


Granada or any top flight team will beat EDS convincingly. The level of football is completely different. Not all players at EDS will make the top level. If you mix EDS players with top players from Man City then yes, it will be closer.

A beg, what is the standard of the Nigeria league? Our league team have no business losing to under 20.. I am talking about the highest levels of football, you are talking about Zambia under 23.

Let Awoniyi get to that level first.

LeeCodeman:
What I dont know though is if Manu Garba will like Simon Moses very much. Manu is not a fan of players hugging the ball. Manu prefers opponents be beaten by simple passing whereas Moses likes to beat players himself by committing them with his dummy movements and skipping past them. The dude is never afraid of a dribble. He is an excellent winger!

lardy96:
I think its more about having faith in d young man than pressure, you are sure to succeed if those who love you are behind you but if overstated then it becomes pressure

Sunnycliff:


Enjoy your crush on Awoniyi while it lasts

mackfame:


I’m of the opinion that by now Awoniyi knows about your affection for him already. I won’t be surprise if his mates tease him with your nickname in camp but the thing is, the guy is a born-again (holy holy type), all his attention is on the tournament at the moment, once that is over you can start your Romeo and Juliet. No vex

safarigirl:
I fully intend to. Thank you

Badosqi:
I just went to bet365 to check the favorites for this tournament. Can't believe this people underate us so much to give us whooping odd of 15. Nigeria to win brazil sef is 3.5.

1 Argentina U20 4.5

2 Germany U20 4.5

3 Brazil U20 7.0

4 Colombia U20 10.0

5 Portugal U20 13.0

6 Nigeria U20 15.0

7 USA U20 21.0

8 Mexico U20 21.0

9 Uruguay U20 21.0

10 Ghana U20 26.0



Abeg which Nigerian site is offering this type of market, this can be a money making opportunity. A big win win(Nigeria champ. and I smile to the bank too) situation.

safarigirl:
plis, Romeo and Juliet is an oyibo thing and they ended foolishly sef. I no fit vex now, wetin I go vex for?

TheGoodJoe:


Penalty does not count for Mikel. We are talking scoring a goal in open play. Like Seydou Keita's free kick that beat Carini of Uruguay.

As I said, bring pass completed and completed dribbles. Let us see. Until you bring that, you can not judge. If Yeboah has any of these high and with a brace in the third place, he takes it.

EagleScribes:


Safarigirl, what if you realize someone else is having a crush on you also? What will you do?

#justsaying

mackfame:

Say Awo neva write

safarigirl:
isn't that what the world is about? You're fawning over someone, someone else is fawning over you and some other person is crazy bout the person fawning over you....and the cycle goes on and on . What would I do? Dunno, depends on how real the person is. And by real I mean, someone I can actually reach .

LeeCodeman:


LMAO...when I say this girl has a BAD MOUTH, y'all think I was kidding. Priceless comment!!!

TheGoodJoe:


It does not add up. There are many crap players playing top flight football. Does that automatically make them better than wonderful talents in reserves of top teams.

Rafa Alcantara was in the reserve of Barcelona. At that time, you will say Celta Vigo players playing top flight footy are better than him. Rafa Went to Celta Vigo and became one of their star and best players. Please, how does playing top flight means a player is better.

The Super Six Tourney shows this. The players in the home league play top flight football in the country. The Super Flying Eagles, most players are from academies taught the Top Flight players how to tap ball.

Playing top flight does not automatically means better.

linked:
who said better....guy get the phrase...at the moment Isaac is -RATED higher- on paper....Read my former post again cos your understanding of it is warped...

tbaba1234:


No, I am saying they are playing at a much higher level than Nacho so they can not be compared.. If success was playing with his mates, He will probably be scoring a lot more goals. We saw his record at under 17..

Playing with John Terry or koscielny is completely different from playing academy level CB. At this point, Success is already in that state of his development.

lakesidepapa:



Success and simeon, are they in Nz yet?

safarigirl:
isn't that what the world is about? You're fawning over someone, someone else is fawning over you and some other person is crazy bout the person fawning over you....and the cycle goes on and on . What would I do? Dunno, depends on how real the person is. And by real I mean, someone I can actually reach .

safarigirl:
isn't that what the world is about? You're fawning over someone, someone else is fawning over you and some other person is crazy bout the person fawning over you....and the cycle goes on and on . What would I do? Dunno, depends on how real the person is. And by real I mean, someone I can actually reach .