World Cup still going.  

Spain v France & Italy v Brazil tomorrow morning.  

france smashed spain 6-1 

I can't see anyone stopping them.  France are going to be very strong for at least the next two senior world cups the way things are going.  

Puts perspective with our result against France, they are bloody good side.

Agree - we should be proud of the boys performance.

I quite don’t understand the hysteria about the youth production problems when it’s fair to say after that we are not far off of course not to France’s level but we are improving and that should be added in the context of the discussion.

While we could do much better in terms of youth player development outcomes (transitioning from youth to senior) the results at this age level are not indicative of who will be playing National Team Football in 5-10 years time from now.

Our kids are there abouts in European Terms (of course Europe will have their super talents that we don't), having just returned from Holland spending time at PEC Zwolle and Emmen FC.

Both Clubs are eyeopeners in terms of Boutique Stadia and training facilities. But not that far ahead either, probably just a bit smarter with their infrastructure.

Coaching was a high level but also comes with a dual purpose, developing players for their senior team and selling players off for substantial amounts.

PEC Zwolle just sold a New Zealand Footballer, Ryan Thomas, for 6Mill Euro and this kid was a walk up trialist!

We desperately need to look at our Player Compensation payments and Transfer system, there has to be an economic reality to player development for all levels of the game in Australia.

Finally well done to Australian kids I hope they got a fantastic life experience from this U17 World Cup.

7 U17s have been selected this weekend, including four from the Joeys WC squad:
Ryan Teague (Sydney)
Birkan Kirdar (Melbourne Victory) 
Idrus Abdulahi (Melbourne City) 
Rapha (Melbourne City) 
Jordan Courtney Perkins (Brisbane)
Jack Simmons (Newcastle) 
Kerrin Stokes (Melbourne City) 


Very positive signs. 

Hi Arthur thanks excellent intel. Btw a league clubs also work on this dual purpose in fact I would say for some they are betting on selling players to secure their own futures going forward. All pro clubs make money from trading players if at all possible. Melbourne city for example have mooy and Arzani to thank for current financial status. 

Mexico in the final with a penalty shootout win over Netherlands. 

France currently leading Brazil 2-0.  

Wow. Brazil with 3 goals in the second half to win 3-2.  

Mexico v Brazil final.  

Interesting both Mexico and Netherlands came third in their groups. 

Brazil to win final 3-0

Brazil defeated Mexico 2-1 to be crowned U17 World Cup champions.  Well done to them.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqFuTqF5hkc

Interesting to know 2 of the boys in the squad were in aleague matchday squads last weekend with Courtney Perkins getting on for his debut and Kirdar was on the bench.

Also Alex Robertson scored for England's u17 side in a friendly, does he still want to play for us? 

Yet no FTBL or SBS articles on Robertson!!! His PR agent must be sick or something? 

You mean his dad?

Probably not calling his SBS contacts anymore now that his kid has a shot at the real money with England.

Alex scored twice against Czech Republic.

Teague, Rawlins, D. Walsh, Ostler, Stokes, Warland starting in Y-League this morning. 
Pavlesic, Peupion, Kucharski, Hart, Taleb on the bench. 
Pavlesic seemingly has been dropped after shipping 3 goals last week - not a good sign. 

"Results don't matter at this age"

Courtney Perkins starts. Fantastic for him. Hopefully he can cement his spot in the team and go on to bigger and better things. 

Adam Pavlesic trialling with Roma and Strasbourg