Portrugal are a class above tbh. This is the age group i really hope improves with both expansion and a nst. Reckon very few u18s get game time in oz

Portrugral have 3 players that have made their senior debut. Interestingly it looks like at this age level they play about 12 games a year which would be their main source of development rather than senior minutes

if you assume they get 4 games at the world cup and 6 games qualifying they are probably playing 6 friendlies a year. 

Did pretty well considering the quality of the opposition

portrugal looked, maybe bottom 3 a league level? 12 games of international youth football at lower a league level a year is about 1000 minutes. Gee that would make a difference at this age accelerating their transition to senior football.

how do we get our best having more youth football?

I suppose after watching the U18'S  that the 4-2 scoreline probably perfectly sums the game up. We had good chances early on on the counter, and they were just too technically sound with the ball and without that they could control the game regardless of how much we tried to create anything. 

Still, what a good watch some of these guys are. Playing against some of the best youth academy players/some first team players in Portugal and taking it to em.

Thought that Lino and Jovanovic were very good in the first half.

As soon as the subs barrage began we came back into the contest. so if you just start to watch from the 51st minute we actually win 0-1!!!

Just the saw the build to our first goal, it was pure class out from the back through the midfield and a killer pass to finish it off.

Early stages but this could be the makings of a really good team, considering the likes of Yull to come back in as well.

Technically we looked pretty good out there but Portugal was just too good especially with their pressing, however it's good to play these kind of games where the opposition is quite high in level. 
It will make them more battle hardened when they face AFC level opposition where the level wont be as high like these teams.

The more play these kind of games the better they will be when it comes to the AFC qualifiers and the tournament itself, I was annoyed how poorly they played against Vietnam considering they rarely play with each other, so its good the new u19 intake have started playing games now but it needs to continue through the program.

I haven’t watched it yet but would having Irankunda in the team have made much of a difference to the result? 

Would have made them more reluctant to press as hard as they did I guess!

Yull maybe more important as we struggled to hold onto the ball in midfield

Two good goals....

Honestly, there is significant home ground advantage, ... play that game in Australia on a training type pitch and the game changes a lot IMO. Think we played ok all things considered from the parts I watched. 

A friendly against high quality opposition on their home patch was always going to be difficult.Basically outclassed and under pressure for most of the time.Lots of turnovers by defenders and midfield and we had great problems dealing with their high press.

The big no 9 for Portugal caused lots of problems for our defenders with his strength,pace and excellent technique

Our first goal was well worked and our second goal came from a high press and turnover by one of their defenders.They had 8 or 9 subs in the second half which helped our boys look better in the last 20 minutes.

Playing England tonight

So far it reminds me of the game we played in the under 21s against them last year I think.

The English boys just seem to be half a step quicker, quicker to read the play, quicker to move the ball, time on the ball, getting into position etc. 

Our boys aren't terrible but they are just usually a step behind. The England juniors are quality. 

https://www.youtube.com/live/jSgjpTWyGLc?feature=share

England goals on 14 and 18 I think and Australia got one back on 21. Last two both silly errors at the back. 

Nice turn by Younis there to make it 2:2. England won't be happy with their errors leading to our goals. Some of these kids should be playing in the A League.

Very tidy finish there. Seems like the national curriculum is finally creating players that can score. 

Annoying late 3:2 loss but another good hitout.

I wouldn't say outclassed I thought Australia matched their level throughout the match they just switched off in key moments of the game which cost them.

But its good to see Australia play these kind of matches, it will prepare them better for the future.

By the way Australia made some subs as well especially Younis who looks like an outstanding talent for us.

Again a match where matched the level of these teams which is encouraging but annoyed we conceded late, a draw would have been a fairer result but the second half we did well.

Now we need these guys playing in the a-league now, NPL is ok but a-league football will make them better.

It's understandable that A League managers won't want to bank their season on some young players in order to ensure future success for the national team but there is space there for these players to play. Good imports are good for the league. These kids should have a punt taken on them ahead of those deadwood imports not to mention numerous players who've been recycled and might aim to return post India. 

apparently the english team had 46 championship and epl games between them

Our squad has 15 a league games between them

a league expansion and nst should close that gap a lot

Just finished the first half

unlike the portrugal game there isnt much of a technical gap here. England v portrugal will be interesting 

Marcus Younis looks an unbelievable player. Surely is at least making sub appearances for WSW this season.

If not, I’d jump at the chance to have him at CCM.

CCM can f*** off stealing Wanderers players.
Triantis was developed at the Western Sydney Wanderers Academy as well.

Too bad that WSW don't give their academy players as much time and effort as CCM does.Triantis may have been a WSW product but it was Monty and Raimundo( his assistant)who recognised his talent and potential and gave him his chance.

is it me or is the a -league full of young talent just the clubs dont want to play or develop them? even though they cant get relegated?

Even if you just developed you could ship off 1-2.5m in transfer fee's every year if you just develop young talent...is making finals even worth that?

I watched the last 20 minutes live last night.
Have to agree with above comments, future looks great.

Better display against an England team which did not appear to be more technically proficient than our boys.Our midfield was more combative than in the Portugal game and put together some good passing movements.However in the last fifteen minutes the English  gained the initiative and put us under pressure.

However games against quality opposition is good for the players and also the coaching staff get experience for future tournaments.

Big match tonight need to beat Mexico to finish first 

There's only 3 groups but 4 spots. Does the best second place team progress?

Yes