December 4, 2024 • 40 mins
Piney and Bonnie preview a massive, sold-out A-League men's derby between Auckland FC and the Wellington Phoenix on Saturday at Go Media Stadium.
Who are the most important players for each side, which coach has the upper hand in the tactical battle and who wins?
Plus the 2024 National League champions have been crowned and a familiar face is headed back to NZ.
Football Fever with Jason Pine & Bonnie Jansen is the weekly podcast to keep up with all the action from the beautiful game!
Our voice of football Jason Pine and sport journalist Bonnie Jansen follow the Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC on their quest for an A-League title - all the goals, all the drama, all the glory!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
Football Fever with News Talks MB's voice of Football, Jason
Paine and Bonnie Jensen.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Welcome into Football Fever with FIFA Plus stream New Zealand
football live and free on FIFA plus dot com on
Jason Pine. Bonnie Jensen is here and as we record,
we're just over forty eight hours out from another massive
occasion in New Zealand football, sellout crowd and coming for
New Zealand Derby two point zero.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Bonnie, how are you feeling.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
Derby two point zero? Piney, I'm so excited. I am
like a bit gutted that it's come around so quickly.
I probably would have liked a few more weeks in
between each Derby's you know, it's only thirty five days
between when they played at Wellington to what's going to
happen on Saturday. But nevertheless, super excited. The sun's meant
to be shining and obviously sold out as you.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Say, yeah, it's a good point you make because I guess,
in ideal terms, when you have a draw for a season,
if you're playing a team three times, you space it out,
don't you. But it'll only be the sixth game that
the Phoenix have played and Aukland next week because they
they've had the buy as well, and they've played the
same team twice, where there's been a whole bunch of
teams they haven't even locked horns with. But here we are,
(01:10):
and you know, no point complaining about a sold outgo
Media Stadium on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Just in very
general terms, who do you think are favorites for the game?
Speaker 3 (01:22):
I think Auckland FC are one hundred percent favorites, you know,
obviously given their start to the season five wins in
or you know, five straight wins, clean sheets. But they're
also playing at home and yes it's kind of a
Phoenix home game depending on how you look at it.
But yeah, you can't you can't criticize their start. So yeah,
(01:44):
Auckland are the bookies' favorites.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
Yeah, well, if you trust the actual bookies. I'm just
looking at the odds right now. Auckland FC a dollar
ninety one. Wellington are paying three dollars ninety to win
this game. I think that's pretty good money for Wellington
if you fancy a flutter on, who are now the
away team? Because you know, Phoenix has been coming to
(02:06):
Auckland for over ten years, and they've always been the
home team when.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
They're there, and they've played well there.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
They've only lost one of their eighteen games in Auckland,
so they always play well up there. But it's a
complete flip of the script, isn't it. They're going to
have a small little pocket of yellow Fever and that's.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
All it is. And I'm excited to see how many
Yellow Fever fans turn out and how many you know,
Auckland is is wearing Phoenix fans and they've stuck by,
you know, they've stuck with their loyalty. I'm going to
be surprised if there's not a good, decent chunk of
fans wearing yellow shirts. I don't know if it's too
(02:46):
soon to call it pioneer. I mean, we'll probably do
our predictions at the end of the podcast, but I
think Wellington, the Wellington Phoenix will win this game.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
I actually agree, And let's get to our predictions at
the end. But I actually agree, and I think even
and we'll explain our reasons why. I think it's the
best narrative as well. If the Phoenix were to go
there on Saturday and win as Auckland did a month
ago in Wellington and one it just completes a brilliant narrative.
And then we've got number three to come, which we
do have to wait a while for. It's not to
(03:15):
the back end of February. But yeah, look, let's let's
not get let's not get too far ahead of ourself.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
Just on the yellow foevere to all.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
So, obviously there's the designated block, but you expect all
around the ground there to be dots of yellow.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Oh, I hope so, and I hope in that designated area.
You know, it's a big chunk. I'm hoping. You know
that there were what five hundred Auckland supporters down in
Wellington for that derby a month ago. I'm hoping there's more.
There's more yellow, you know. Wellington Phoenix fans, yes, dotted
around as well, potentially, but I'm pretty sure they're banned
from anywhere in the south stand or anywhere in the
(03:51):
port section at least. Bumped into a couple of Phoenix
fans at the opening game who said, no, we can't
go and sit in there with a Phoenix scarf on.
So yeah, definitely going to going to be interesting to
see if there's any fans trying to sneak in there
and cause some banter.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
No, I mean, why would you though that's the That's
like Auckland fans trying to get into yellow Fever and Wellington.
I mean, it's just no point in it, because there
there's no point in it. There's plenty of other places
to sit. You're right about the yellow Fever zone that
will be absolutely rammed with Phoenix fans. I don't know
how many tickets were allocated their way, but it's got
to be let's say, three four, five, one hundred, let's
say up in that section. We talked earlier in the
(04:28):
year about the placement of that of that zone. It
seems an odd place for me to have the away
fans up, you know, up in an upper tier up
to the port's left. I would have preferred it if
they were at the other end, you know, if they
were at they were end on, like in Wellington, for example,
the port were all down the northern end.
Speaker 4 (04:47):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
I know they can't do it because of the bank
and all that sort of thing, but it seems like
an odd place for the away fans to be.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
So they're quite close to each other, and I actually
think that's a really annoying thing for the Port because
I think the Yellow Fever out chant the Port. You know,
they've got some amazing existing chants which I could roll
off my tongue, you know, growing up down there. You know,
ones that have been around for years. But and I
think they're going to be loud and you know, the
(05:17):
Port of building their chances as we speak and as
we go on these weeks. So yeah, it's a shame
for the Port that they're so close to the Yellow Fever,
I think in this instance.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Yeah, but in many ways that'll make them lift their
game as well, won't it, you know, And you're right,
I mean Yellow Fever have had a seventeen year head
start on the Port in terms of getting their chants
and getting themselves in unison and that sort of thing.
But I thought the Port did a pretty good job
down at Wellington when they came down for the for
the first derby, and obviously it helps when you win.
So yeah, we look forward to seeing the interaction between
(05:48):
the two sets of fans on the pitch. Let's drill
down a little bit into this. Who do you perceive
to be the really important players for both sites?
Speaker 4 (06:00):
Well?
Speaker 3 (06:00):
I think for the Phoenix, undoubtedly someone like Alex ruth
A Costa Barbarus's Tim Payne. You know, the three or
whites that are going to need to step up and
keep their team together. Obviously, you know mentally it's a
huge game for them coming up here. But at the
same time, the Japanese imports have been so good and
(06:22):
I think it's going to be probably an import from
either side who's going to decide the team when it
comes to Auckland. I think the back line Alex Paulson
and Nando and Dan Hall in front of them, they're
going to need to be switched on because no doubt
Chief he has analyzed over these first five six weeks
(06:44):
exactly how to break this back line down, and that's
currently how to clean sheet.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
Yeah, I think the most important player for Auckland is
the bloke who plays the same position as Alex Rufer
does for the Phoenix, and that's Lou for Strata. I
think the way that he is sat in front of
that back four and just basically cut teams off at
the pass even before you get to the back four.
And Alex Bawson. When a team keeps five clean sheets,
you go man. The goalkeeper must be good, and he is.
(07:11):
And you say, well, the back four must be really good,
and they are. But I think he's the man. I
think he's like a nightclub bouncer. He just sits in
front of that back four and he's any trouble, he
just turns it away.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
Yeah, he's I expected him to be taller than what
he was, and when I caught up with him during
the week, I was I think it's just his presence
on the park. I said to him. I was like, oh,
I thought you were taller, and I think I offended
him quite quite a bit. But I think it's just
because his presence on the park is just incredible, you know.
(07:43):
He stands so tall and dominates as you say, so, Yeah,
he is another key player for Auckland.
Speaker 5 (07:49):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
They always look bigger on TV, do, don't they. I've
often thought that about players you go down to. I
thought the same about Giguomo Mai when I interviewed him
after the first game, and he was.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
A lot, you know, more short of stature. Then I thought.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
You look at them out on the pitch, and yet
they sort of growl a little bit, don't they on
the on the television and in the way that they play.
Let's hear a few of the answers that luisva Strata
gave you when you chet up to them the other
day about Auckland's excellent start to their their life and
the a.
Speaker 4 (08:20):
Leg I knew we had a good team when I
arrived here, but winning five games in a row not
conceding a goal is quite extraordinary, so I didn't expect
it to be honest. Yeah, we just take each game
individually and we tried to keep the nill as far
as much as possible each game, so we'll see how
far we can take this. I think we have quality wise,
that we have a good squad. It all starts for
(08:41):
me with quality. So this is the quality is really good,
the players and stuff everyone involved. And also we are
all like I think, good, good people as well, so
we are we are a good team and it's it's
falls together nicely. Yeah. I think everyone is doing really well.
You know, nobody is standing out. I think our strength
is the team as a whole, not the individual, so
I think that's that's how strengthened. Also that each player
(09:02):
is is interchangeable, so we are like HAROKEI didn't play
last weekend. Someone else came in and we performed just
as good. So for me, is this seem so we
have a good squad. We have Dibtzel. That's the that's
the real, the real strengthening team.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
That is the voice of Louis Vastrata.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
So I think that last comment was in response to
the question you asked him about about his own performances.
You suggested to him that a lot of people in
the media, fans, everybody are saying how impressive he's been.
He was very quick to deflect away from himself, wasn't he.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
Yeah, he was. I don't know if that's a cheeky
thing to me to ask, especially when Francis to Reez
was standing right next to us. But he has been
He has been stand out, and I'm sure all of
his teammates and the coaches have have noticed that. And
as you say, Piney, he's been so key for this
team and will be again on Saturday.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
So when you look at the way they're going to
line up, if Hiroki Sakai is fit, he'll clearly come
back and out right back. I thought Callin Elliott had
a good game there the other day. His first game
of football for a long time. We can go into
the reasons for that another day. But I thought he
came in and played really well. But Hiroki sarkives the
captain of the team. If he's fits, he plays, So
let's assume he does, you know, past whatever fitness tests
(10:12):
he needs to and starts. Can you see any other
changes to the starting side for Auckland FC.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
You know, I think you're right. Hiroki does start, and
I understand that he is first and he's saving himself
for this game. The only other questionable one is whether
Nata Moreno comes in for the likes of Logan Rogerson
or Liam Gillion. He scored an absolute worldy of a
goal in the last game. It was just yes, so
so nice kind of half volley on the side of
(10:40):
the foot. But you know, whether he deserves his starting
position or not after that goal, I'm not sure. I
think I get the feeling, and I asked Steve Croker
as well. I get the feeling he's going to stick
with that same starting lineup that's kind of worked for
him so well. And Nata Moreno's come on in a
couple of games now and you know, done a job.
(11:02):
So yeah, why change that up?
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Yeah, all I'd say is that I'm not sure that
Logan Rogerson has absolutely seized his opportunity in this team. No,
he got the start at the start of the season,
but he and Liam Gilligan, because I mean you watched
a lot of their preseason and it was Gillian and
Rogerson who kind of jumped the kill a little bit
ahead of Jesse Randall and Joey Champness really for those
starting spots because Nadal Moreno of course was late arriving,
(11:28):
wasn't He didn't get that till right at the start
of the season, so he wasn't ready to start. But
I don't know whether I think Liam Gillian's done enough.
I'm not sure that Logan Rogerson has done absolutely enough
to hold off Nate A Moreno. And as you and
I've said a lot, you know, if you're an import,
you really need to be starting. If it's not this week,
I get the feeling at some stage he will. I
(11:49):
wonder whether it is this week that Moreno gets let
off the leash from the start.
Speaker 3 (11:53):
Yeah, and I don't mind it from choreography, does decide
to do it, you know, change it up? Chief, He's
probably expecting that Loan does start and they go with
what worked well for them. But you're right Piney, and
I agree that I don't think Logan's had a great
couple of last games. You know, he obviously scored in
that opener, which shows he's good and big moments, so
(12:14):
maybe that's why they'll go with him again. But it
is close to call, and again, a great problem to have.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
Yeah, it's good. It's good.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
A good problem to have for Steve Coriker, not just there,
but right across his squad just before we moved to
Wellington Phoenix. Auckland FC could break a couple more records
this weekend. The most minutes without conceding at the start
of an A League season is four hundred and sixty nine.
The Mariners did that in the seven eight season, so
if Auckland FC don't concede before the twenty minute mark,
(12:45):
they will beat that record. That seventeen year old record
now the most minutes without conceding at the start of
any season in Australian men's league history. And this is
going back before the A League, back to the National
Soccer League as it used to be called four Dred
seventy four minutes by Preston Macedonia in nineteen eighty six.
So if Auckland don't concede before the twenty five minute mark,
(13:08):
they'll beat that record as well, which is thirty.
Speaker 1 (13:10):
Eight years old.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
And finally, if they were to keep another clean sheet,
that would be six. No one in a league history
has ever kept six consecutive clean sheets. It's quite the
remarkable set of records that they've put together and continue
to look to break.
Speaker 3 (13:26):
That's yeah, that's crazy. I mean, whoever searched this up,
whether it was you pioneers.
Speaker 1 (13:31):
Impressive, wasn't mean no, it wasn't me. No, it wasn't me.
Speaker 2 (13:35):
Andy Howe, who is the A Leagu's official statistician, has
provided these numbers. But yeah, as impressive as the researchers,
the you know, the continual ability to just keep goals
out of their net is amazing by Auckland FC.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
It is. And you know, I asked Steve as well
earlier during the week, you know, because they bring on
Tommy Smith as their kind of closer for the match
and they you know, kind of go to the A
three at the back and they've got a real plan
to kind of keep this clean sheet. Record going and
very very tight defensively. Well done to Alex Paulson, who
(14:13):
you know could have gone either way coming in. Yeah,
very impressed. And you know those Kiwi boys in particular Nando,
Alex Paulson, Francis Devrez, Tommy Smith, they're all putting their
hand up for the All Whites.
Speaker 2 (14:29):
I noticed from Alex Paulson as well. You know, at
the start of the season and certainly in the first derby,
which was in Wellington, he was a little bit reserved
in terms of a celebrations. Yess, he celebrated with the
team and all that. But after that game the other
day against Newcastle, he's whacking the badge on his chest
and he's all in Auckland.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
I've seen now is in the ap.
Speaker 3 (14:49):
Yeah, no, he is. And actually shout out to Dane Ingham,
was it, who played for Newcastle, who's also a Kiwi.
I thought he was. He was great in that game
against AFC, and you know he clearly had a bit
of a grudge against his fellow Kiwi players and yeah,
hopefully someone like Darren Baize was watching.
Speaker 2 (15:09):
Yeah, I thought, no, you're bang on. I thought Danning
was the best Newcastle Jets player. You know, it was
in a battle with Francis Devreeze up and down Newcastle's
right Auckland's left. He had to deal with Liam Gillian
as well and the strikers. So yeah, I thought, thought, yeah,
Danningham had a really good game. All right then, So
in the face of all of that, how do Wellington
(15:30):
Phoenix become the first team to break down Auckland f C.
And the second part of that question is do you
have faith that gian Carlo Italiano has a plan to
do that?
Speaker 4 (15:41):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (15:41):
He has a plan, Pioney, he has a plan. He's
a very smart man, very smart coach. I really rate
him as a coach. And you know, if it wasn't
for that blunder that josh Aliwayimi, you know, conceded in
that first match, it would have been nill Like. I
truly believe that. So they are not to be ruled
(16:02):
out whatsoever coming into this game. Despite auckland season incredible start.
You know, the Phoenix two have had a great start.
I think you told me Pine it's the second best
start in the club's history. So they've got a plan
and I again, I think they're gonna win. As they
said earlier.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
Yeah, look, let's jump into predictions. I think they'll win
it as well. I think they'll win it one nil.
This isn't going to be a three all draw or
a five to four thriller. Both teams are very good defensively.
We talk about Auckland's The Phoenix have only at three
in and they're five games, and two of those were
against Auckland. You know, one was the mistake by Olloway
Emmy and the other one was a goal when when
(16:39):
Willington were chasing the game in the ninety seventh minute.
So they're both very good defensively. I just feel as
though Wellington have more tools to unlock Auckland than vice versa.
We've talked about Logan Rogerson. You know, Liam Gillians had
seventeen shots without scoring. Gmo Mais only got one goal
in five games. You know, A Brimmer got those two
(17:00):
goals against Wellington, but they were a little bit you know,
they're not necessarily a result of cutting teams apart. The
only goal I can think of where they really cut
a team apart was the very first goal they got,
that own goal against Brucebane, where it was that really
lovely passing move down the right Sarko puts it across
the box and Harry Vandersarke puts it in his own net,
so they're not taking teams apart, whereas I just feel
(17:21):
with Barbarusis, Marco Roja Sa Dicky a Shiga that Wellington
do have those game breakets.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
Yeah, they do, and obviously plenty more experience in the league,
so that's definitely something to consider. You're right, Pineyer in
terms of I don't know if it's too harsh to say,
but a lot of Auckland's goals have been quite fluky,
but at the same time they have managed to close
out games regardless. So yeah, the next will be aware
(17:50):
of that, but I feel like they've got a plan
to Yeah, they'll be looking at that defense in terms
of how to break them down. And remember, Alex Poulsen
was the goalkeeper last year. They know him probably better
than what his own teammates know him currently.
Speaker 2 (18:06):
You know, what would be an amazing scenario to play
out in this game would be a penalty to Phoenix.
Alex Paulson what last year save three of the five
penalties he faced in a Wellington Phoenix shirt. He knows,
Alex Rufer, he knows Costa barbarusis who are I guess
two of the more likely penalty takers.
Speaker 1 (18:26):
He knows which way they typically go. He would have faced.
Speaker 2 (18:29):
Goodness only knows how many penalties from both of them
during training down the years. Imagine if there's a ninety
fourth minute penalty for Wellington Phoenix to win it, and
it's Alex Paulson staring down Alex Rufer.
Speaker 3 (18:41):
Imagine and it's down that end of the port and
the yellow fever where they are, I could just oh,
it would be so exciting if that were to happen.
And as you say, you know, great for the narrative. Yeah,
I don't know. I feel I'd feel so nervous for
app and you know whoever is to take the Phoenix,
but it would make a pretty iritable story.
Speaker 2 (19:03):
Yeah, I think it was. It was a mount smart
when he saved that one from Jamie McLaren last year,
wasn't it for men Melbourne City? So he knows the
ground well, obviously it's his homeground. Now, so many layers
to this. Yeah, So I've got the Phoenix winning at
one nil.
Speaker 3 (19:17):
Okay, I also have the Phoenix winning at one nil
or nil. All it's going to be like a really
annoying grudge deadlock match which everyone will be gutted about.
Speaker 2 (19:29):
Well, I think you think about the first Derby and
that was nil all for eighty nine minutes.
Speaker 3 (19:33):
That's what I mean. It's going to be another one
of those. And I hope it's not. I hope it's
a five four thriller, as you say, but I just
don't think it's going to be.
Speaker 5 (19:40):
No.
Speaker 2 (19:40):
I just don't think it's in either of these teams
DNA to open themselves up so much at the back
they let four or five goals in. It just feels
as though it was going to be cag And I
remember saying in commentary in the first one that it
felt more and more as the game went on, as
though it was going to be a moment of utter
brilliance or a mistake by somebody, and it was, you know,
hindsight a wonderful thing, but it was. It was a
(20:00):
mistake by Olloway Emmy that opened the door for Auckland
f C. What your hope is that actually the game
is broken open by a moment of magic. What would
be good, Bonnie, would be an early goal.
Speaker 3 (20:10):
Yeah, that would be great to get an early goal.
First half goal. Because what you've got the stat Painty
that a lot of Auckland f C's goals have come
really late, and it's it's not fun for a footballer,
ye or it's not I mean maybe for a football
fan like us who get it. You know, we understand
the ins and outs of it. But there's going to
be a lot of you know, neutral fans that you
know are there for the spectacle and we want goals.
(20:33):
So I hope there's an early goal.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
Six of their eight goals Auckland f C have come
after the seventy five minute mark, so yeah, so they
are late scorers, but they find a way. Even that
Jets game the other day, it's nil all going past
the eightieth minute and they went at two nil they
found away. Same with Sydney FC, you know, one nil
sorry nil all deep into at a time and Nando
Pinicke back heels won and for one nill they find
(20:56):
a way and you know they They're momentum has been terrific.
Speaker 3 (21:01):
The longer, the longer the game is drawn out, Auckland
f C win right, So the Phoenix, if they're winning
this game, they need to get on the board early.
I don't think they're the ones, you know, scoring late.
Speaker 2 (21:12):
Yeah, it's an interesting little dynamic, asn't they have. They
haven't had to score late this season Wellington, have they to?
They did again the other day against Melbourne victory Melbourne.
Yeah that was That was the latest goal by Costa
barbarusis linking with Marco Rojas. The two Neil one over
Perth was was a goal in each half. The three
one over the Mariners. They would turn a love at halftime.
(21:33):
So yeah, yeah, yeah, I think well Auckland have proven
themselves to be these, you know, the masters of the
late show. So so maybe it comes that way again
now Corbyn Piper just wanted to hear from him. He
played for Birkenhead, of course for a long long time.
Not a long time, but he certainly played for Birkenhead
this year. He set some time in Ireland as well,
(21:54):
I think, but born and raised in Auckland. He's now
with the Phoenix and as there as a utility really
I think you played in a sort of a creative
midfield role for Bergenhead, but he's been playing sort of
right back, center back, even up top off the bench
for Wellington during the week I spoke briefly with him
and asked him if he thought that actually coming from Auckland,
(22:16):
whether Auckland f C might be his more natural road
into the pro game.
Speaker 5 (22:21):
Initially, it was Auckland f C for me, like I was,
that was my goal. I didn't really think about Wellington
Phoenix because I did think that they were pretty academy
focused and you had to be in the academy to
then graduate into the first thing, which is how it
should be. I think that's a really good way of
doing it. So yeah, I was looking at Auckland f
(22:41):
C and playing as a ten. I just felt there
just wasn't room and Auckland FC for me as a ten.
But thankfully Wellington Phoenix actually looked outside the academy and
looked at me in different positions and looked at my
best attributes i'd say, and slid me into a center
back or fullback or striker role. So yeah, that's just
(23:05):
how it came about. Yeah, that's it. Well, I can
speak on behalf of all the boys. We're pretty keen
to smash them and get rid of that wedding street good.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
But a heat there at the end from Corbyn Piper,
I think he's pretty keen to be involved in a
game on home. So interesting that yeah, he was passed
over by Auckland FC. I don't know whether they looked
at him or not, but yeah, it's an interesting little
storyline that he's ended up down in Wellington.
Speaker 5 (23:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (23:31):
I hope he gets more game time for Wellington because
I had heard of him during the kind of Northern
League phase just from some mates and football going, hey,
keep an eye on this guy. He's really good. So yeah,
glad he's been picked up by either of the teams,
and just hope he gets, you know, more minutes for
the knicks and whatever position that is by It sounds
he's all over the place all right.
Speaker 2 (23:52):
Just to finish, as we've said, huge crowd in coming
officially sold out. You sent me a link this morning
for tickets on trade me going for quite a bit
more than they would have been bought.
Speaker 3 (24:01):
For actually crazy like four hundred bucks. Scalpers are trying
to sell them off for and I mean, you know,
it's it's terrible, and anyone listening to this podcast, don't
buy those tickets. As Nick Becker said to told The
Herald that you know, go and watch it at a bar.
There's plenty of great bars you know, around the country
(24:22):
to watch it from rather than or around Auckland, rather
than paying that much for a ticket if it's legit
or not. But I think the funny thing is the
fact that this A League match is getting so much
hype that these scalpers are like, oh, let's give it
a go. You know, I feel like that that would
have never happened in the A League maybe a final
or something like that. But yeah, pretty incredible.
Speaker 2 (24:41):
Never ever, never, ever, ever, you know, has anybody ever
not been able to get a ticket to a football
match in New Zealand?
Speaker 1 (24:50):
Is the is the question? Really? And it would have happened.
Speaker 3 (24:54):
Maybe maybe maybe the Football World Cup last year.
Speaker 2 (24:57):
Yes, that's that's a good example, Yes, that one. But
a mystic game between two New Zealand sides. I don't
think it. I don't.
Speaker 3 (25:05):
Oh it's bah Rain.
Speaker 2 (25:06):
Yeah, but again an international game, not domestic between I mean,
if you'd said to me, you know a year ago
when Auckland first was mooted as a possibility in the
A League, Okay, six or seven weeks into the regular season,
you're going to have to go to a scalper and
pay four hundred bucks for a ticket to watch this
team play.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
It would have been laughed out of town.
Speaker 3 (25:26):
Bonnie laughed at sound exactly. And you know, hats off
again to Auckland FC's marketing that they've they've made it
this way. They've opened up the seating, they opened up
the north stand, the bank and they're trying to break
the record by a cheeky number one more than what
the Wellington Phoenix got. So yeah, it hats off to
(25:46):
the marketing team of Auckland f C. And yeah, just
making this derby so incredible. You know, it is going
to be a special occasion and I'm just gutted that
these scalpers are kind of ruining it.
Speaker 2 (25:58):
Yeah, I mean I think someone will buy the tickets. Yes,
some I think like a rich dad or mum will
buy it for their kids. Well, they'll buy a couple
of tickets, and there'll be people who want to go
to the game haven't been able to get a ticket,
and we'll just say, oh, okay, well I'll pay the
four hundred bucks's I mean, it's a regular season game.
It's just incredible we're even talking about this. But again,
(26:21):
it's an illustration of just what has happened around this
new A League club. Jacob Spoonley, friend of the podcast
and my co commentator on Sky Sport, does have. He
wanted me to tell people he's got one ticket to
give away, but he's and he's doing it on x
or Twitter. So hit up Jacob Spoonley on Twitter. You'll
find the post. You've got to reply to it with
(26:43):
a good reason why you should get it or something
like that.
Speaker 1 (26:46):
Yeah. I don't know how Jacob's ended up with one ticket.
Speaker 2 (26:50):
I mean, it would be more palatable if it was
a family pass or something like that. But he's got
the one ticket and he wanted me to shout it out.
So hit him up and you could be the the
twenty six, two d and fifty third person there ensuring
that the regular season's season attendance record is broken. On
Saturday at Mount Smart.
Speaker 1 (27:11):
The FFFE with Piny and Body.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
Let's go to the Wellington Phoenix Women. They're back in
action after their bye week or the international break or
was it the buye that they had, It doesn't really matter.
They didn't play last weekend. They played this coming Sunday
four o'clock back home at Pottido Park. They had their
first win in U Nite Round, beating Adelaide United one
nil in Sydney. Pretty important for them to get a
(27:34):
win after three straight losses.
Speaker 3 (27:36):
I thought it was so cool they got a win
by a not so bad goal and that they played
a right I felt like it was coming for this team,
that they were going to get a result soon. They've
got a good, good team, regardless of how many players
left last season, and I loved that they won over there,
which seems like ages ago now, but they had a
(27:58):
great yellow fever continue there on the sidelines that they
all celebrated with after and then obviously the men went
on to win later that weekend. So yeah, great that
they got the three points and hopefully they can continue
it on this weekend.
Speaker 2 (28:11):
Yeah it was coming, wasn't it, Because what they lost
the previous week one nil to New cast or the
week before that one nil to Canberra.
Speaker 1 (28:17):
They had that terrible.
Speaker 2 (28:18):
Twenty minutes in the first game against Western United when
they let four and that game was gone. They haven't
actually been that bad, and defensively they've been pretty good,
like I say, and now in the last three games
only two goals conceded, so they're tightening themselves up there.
I'd love to see more up top from them, you know,
I'd love to see some of the you know, some
of the goal scoring prowess of the likes of Emma Maine,
(28:41):
Olivia Ferguson the New Import. We saw Mia McCutcheon score
a goal that won them the game against Adelaide United.
But yeah, I know, without Mney, Una speke Meyer and
without Laboring the point watch her banging and goals for
Melbourne City, as we've talked about a couple of times
on the podcast, and just what a huge loss he
was to that team.
Speaker 3 (29:01):
Well there's no reason why Grace Jarlay, who is you know,
had got quite a few caps for New Zealand, played
at a World Cup, why she can't be you know,
banging in goals and nothing against Grace, you know, but
I think the team needs to find a way to unlock,
unlock a player like Grace Jarlay, even someone like a
list of win him. You know, she's so close. So
(29:22):
I think it's coming for this this team as long
as they you know, don't they're not They're not too
hard on themselves and they stick together because you know,
if these results don't come. You know how how tense
it becomes between between teammates and things like that. So
they've got to stay together and hope that they can
keep building off this most recent result.
Speaker 2 (29:44):
Yeah, another reason why it was important to get it right.
If they've gone four games without a win, then all
of a sudden you start to wonder where it's going
to come from. Now they've got it, they got Brisbane,
then they go away to Melbourne, victory, home to Sydney
FC and away to Melbourne City. So it's a tough
December for Paul Temple's team. Brisbane a second three wins
and a last. They lost their opening game to Canberra,
but then they've won their last three one nil, three
(30:05):
nil and four nil, so they're good defensively as well.
A coach by former Wellington Phoenix men's player Alex Smith,
so he'll enjoy a return back to back to Wellington,
although the game will be played at Potido A Park.
Really sad news about Rebecca Lake though, Bonnie another defender
out for the season for Wellington.
Speaker 3 (30:22):
Yeah, you message me Piney saying there needs to be
more education around a cl injuries and women's sport, and
I couldn't agree more. It's yeah, just so gutting. I
really rate Rebecca Lake as a player. You know, she
was so good on the domestic scene for so long,
got her opportunity with the Next last season, and yeah,
just or was she her season with the next last
(30:45):
year was cut short? Wasn't it? With another injury? But yeah,
just so gutted that that she's.
Speaker 1 (30:52):
Done her a cl and Wells is an ankle. It's great, Yeah,
it's it's Malia Steinmetz has done the ace. How that's
when I sent you that message.
Speaker 3 (31:02):
But the thing is a rambo.
Speaker 2 (31:04):
But even even the fact that that, you know, it
was like another one another one, another one exactly, you know,
I mean, I feel terrible for for Rebecca Lake. I
think she's an absolute positive force around that group, was
really starting to find her way without MAURICEA.
Speaker 1 (31:19):
Vandermere there.
Speaker 2 (31:20):
She was set to be a big part of that,
you know, that Phoenix defense alongside Mac Bowry. And I
just rarely like the way she goes about her football.
And as you say, missing some of last season and
now all of this such a you know, because you
only get a small window for these things.
Speaker 5 (31:35):
You know.
Speaker 3 (31:35):
Yeah, and she's quite a senior player, I guess. I
mean she's still young. I want to say she's twenty
four to twenty five, but she's she's quite you know,
played in big games domestically, so yeah, definitely a big
loss is a leader at the back. But yeah, just
just gutted. It's another person on the season in season
(31:56):
ending injury list.
Speaker 2 (31:58):
Olivia Kelly has been brought in by the Wellington Phoenix.
She is an American center back. She will be available,
as I understand it, for the game on Sunday. She
is taking up her first professional contract. She played in
college over in the US for New Hampshire Wildcats before
joining the North Carolina State wolf Pack. I think it
(32:21):
is yeah, North Carolina State University. The wolf Pack is
the name of their team. So hopefully she'll bring some
of that ferocity to the back line for the Wellington
Phoenix women. As I say, they play on Sunday afternoon,
four o'clock at Potidowa Park Football Fever. Emma Humphries is
the new Wellington Phoenix Academy director. Again, one of the
(32:43):
many messages that you send me when things happen in
the football world landed in my phone for context Emma
Humphrees is the wife of Bev Priestman, who has recently
been relieved of her duties as Canadian head coach after
the drone spying scandal at the Games. You wrote a
piece in The Herald chatting to Tom Somani about the
(33:04):
possibility of Bev Prieseman being the new Football Ferns coach.
Speaker 1 (33:08):
Are the stars aligning here?
Speaker 3 (33:10):
She's coming home, piiney. This is she's just plotting. It's
one step at a time. And Emma Humphreys as well.
Her I kind of was in discussions with people about
who could possibly, you know, be in the mix with
the Ferns. She's a former Fern herself and you know,
could have taken up an assistant role or something like that.
But the fact she's come back to the Panis Academy great.
(33:32):
I think she'll be really, really great in that role.
And you know, a Bev Priestman may have a coffee
or two with New Zealand football.
Speaker 1 (33:41):
Who knows, Yeah, who knows? I mean, I don't know.
Speaker 3 (33:44):
I know, I don't know, but I would like to
see it.
Speaker 2 (33:46):
Well, geographically, it makes sense, doesn't doesn't it. You know,
if Emma humphreyes is here looking after the Phoenix academy,
then obviously Bev Priesteman is going to be here as
well being her wife, so I guess if she's in
the country then she's probably in the convice.
Speaker 1 (34:00):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (34:01):
Well, let's not forget as well that Auckland f C
are going to be on the hunt for a woman's
first team coach. They're obviously joining the A League woman
next season, so I understand that there's been some names shortlisted.
So perhaps Bev Priestman what her suspension would end around
July next year, just in time for the A League
(34:21):
season to kick off.
Speaker 2 (34:23):
It's all coming together. Emma Humphrey star is as a
good hire for Wellington Phoenix, as you say, former Football
Fern coach Canada, the under seventeen Women's World Cup assistant
coach at Liverpool for a couple of seasons, has had
some really high, high profile coaching jobs and to oversee
the academy is that's a good role, a really good
role and a good hire for Wellington Phoenix. To get
(34:44):
Emma Humphries into that role, you know they might have
got a whisper that that Emma was in the frame
for the football Ferns jobs. I thought we better get
her before she gets her head turned by that job.
But we wait and see what happens with Bev Priestman.
The plot thickins, but we just we'll keep an eye
on them.
Speaker 1 (34:59):
Football time marching on.
Speaker 2 (35:02):
We'll leave Kiwis overseas for this week, but I do
want to talk about the National League Championship Finals which
were held at Albany last weekend. Auckland United beating Waterside
Carrory three to one in the women's final. I think
that makes it four titles, doesn't it. This season for
Auckland United, they are just well, they've just monstered everybody.
Speaker 3 (35:22):
Yeah, it's crazy, really happy for them. They've got a
really solid team. They had the likes of Paige Satchel
starting the final on the bench for Auckland United. She
only came in for the National League season. But still
you know they've got such a great roster and good
on them for winning and saying that. I am gutted.
I'm always keen to see the underdog or another team.
(35:44):
Weren't it just to change it up?
Speaker 2 (35:45):
Look, I think everybody who wasn't an Auckland United fan
wanted water Side to win the same with the men's final,
which we'll get to in a moment, but as soon
as as soon as the first goal winning, which was early,
wasn't it two minutes in p of Locke hit there
one from outside the area, which actually the wolf Is
keeper problemably could have done better. With all of a sudden,
your one kneel down and the wind comes out of
your sales. You want to start fast against an overwhelming
(36:06):
favorite and you know keep you know, keep nice and
tight at the back and all of a sudden won
nil down after two minutes.
Speaker 3 (36:12):
It's yeah, it's not ideal, particularly in a final. You know,
the championship games you always want to be on the
usually their grudge matches right to the end, which kind
of happened in the men's game. But yeah, not ideal
for water Side to concede that early.
Speaker 2 (36:29):
But let us give kudos to Walkland United. You know
you've still got to win these things. So they add
the National League Championship to the Kate Shepherd Cup, the
OFC Women's champions League and their win in the Northern
League Women's Premiership. So congratulations to Walkland United and all
conquering year for you. So you'll enjoy your summer. And
(36:49):
the men's final Birkenhead United against perennial champions and finalists
Auckland FC. This one went to extra time, angus Kill
Collie scoring the winning goal again I thought. I mean,
by contrast to the earlier game, Burkenhead started a really well,
nice guy by Monty Patterson. They were Rehead and just
(37:10):
couldn't hold on.
Speaker 3 (37:11):
I really hoped Burkenhead were gonna get the job done.
I think they had an incredible season, even in the
regional phase. They were the most challenging side for these
top teams like Auckland City, like Wellington Olympic and yet
get to take Auckland City to extra time is pretty impressive.
(37:33):
But I think any team that kind of well, I
mean it didn't happen in the Chatham Cup final, but
a lot of teams that take Auckland City right to
the end. Auckland City, they're kind of like Auckland f C.
They always find a way to win.
Speaker 1 (37:46):
That's it.
Speaker 2 (37:46):
They find a way and at the end of the
day they're the ones with the trophy because they found
a way. Good experience in that team. Angus Kill Coli'S
are say scoring the winning goal. He's been around the
domestic scene for a while. Mario Ilitch, I don't think
the tac like ever get older. He seems talking bit
around about thirty years he talks about twenty four.
Speaker 3 (38:04):
Yeah, seriously, and remember Auckland City. It's a good win
for them because they're playing in the Club World Cup
next next year. I actually believe the draw comes out
tomorrow morning, Friday morning as we record this. So they've
got a big kind of focus to turn their heads
too now and this will be a good confidence booster
(38:24):
for them.
Speaker 2 (38:25):
Weld on Auckland CITYFC. Weld on Auckland United National League
champions for twenty twenty four. That brings oh issue we
should mention to Libby Cacacchi and c J Bot nominated
and FIFA's the best awards, so eleven defenders in the
men and eleven defenders and the women, and Libby Cacachy
and c J Bott are among them.
Speaker 1 (38:44):
I mean, good thank.
Speaker 3 (38:46):
I mean if you were to ask me Piney, who
of our national team players would make that, you know,
you would probably guess those two. Maybe someone like Chris Wood,
but he's only just recently kind of gone all right,
But yeah, very very impressed and.
Speaker 2 (39:02):
So happy for them, very happy for them. Indeed, all right,
that is us on football fever. Are you going to
be celebrity spotting on Saturday up in the corporates for
this game? Have you got a ticket to the to
the you know the area where only the very special
A listers are allowed to go.
Speaker 1 (39:19):
Are you going to be watching it from the port?
What are you going to do?
Speaker 3 (39:22):
Well, look, Parney, I'll do a bit of work first.
I'm going to be roving around trying to speak and
interview some punters. So if you see me down there
with a herald mic in hand, you know, don't be
afraid to come up and chat the game with me.
But yes, I will be loitering around, loitering around seeing
who's who's there and who's turned up for the occasion,
but just so excited to watch it and see what
(39:44):
happens on the day.
Speaker 2 (39:45):
You should maybe like a try, you should put your
media pass on trade me. You probably make about one
thousand dollars.
Speaker 3 (39:53):
It's got my head shot on it.
Speaker 1 (39:55):
That's true.
Speaker 3 (39:55):
No one's going to be able to use.
Speaker 1 (39:57):
It, that's true. That's true. Like I was only I
was only half I was only half joking. It's the
hottest It's the hottest ticket in town. Body. I'll tell
you what. Someone someone to pay five hundred bucks for
him to tell you.
Speaker 3 (40:08):
I could do with that. That'd be great, all right.
Speaker 2 (40:11):
Well, if you're making it along on Saturday, we look
forward to seeing you there. Let's hope the occasion delivers
on the hype which has been monstrous this week. Just
can't wait for another great occasion in New Zealand football.
We will review it all for you on Football Fever
next week, whichever day takes our fancy. It could be Monday,
could be Thursday, who knows. We don't seem to operate
to any particularly structured roster here on Football Fever, but
(40:34):
we will chat next week, Bonny.
Speaker 3 (40:35):
We'll see it then.
Speaker 5 (40:42):
This is Football Fever
Football Fever with News Talks MB's voice of Football, Jason
Paine and Bonnie Jensen.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Welcome into Football Fever with FIFA Plus stream New Zealand
football live and free on FIFA plus dot com on
Jason Pine. Bonnie Jensen is here and as we record,
we're just over forty eight hours out from another massive
occasion in New Zealand football, sellout crowd and coming for
New Zealand Derby two point zero.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Bonnie, how are you feeling.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
Derby two point zero? Piney, I'm so excited. I am
like a bit gutted that it's come around so quickly.
I probably would have liked a few more weeks in
between each Derby's you know, it's only thirty five days
between when they played at Wellington to what's going to
happen on Saturday. But nevertheless, super excited. The sun's meant
to be shining and obviously sold out as you.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Say, yeah, it's a good point you make because I guess,
in ideal terms, when you have a draw for a season,
if you're playing a team three times, you space it out,
don't you. But it'll only be the sixth game that
the Phoenix have played and Aukland next week because they
they've had the buy as well, and they've played the
same team twice, where there's been a whole bunch of
teams they haven't even locked horns with. But here we are,
(01:10):
and you know, no point complaining about a sold outgo
Media Stadium on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Just in very
general terms, who do you think are favorites for the game?
Speaker 3 (01:22):
I think Auckland FC are one hundred percent favorites, you know,
obviously given their start to the season five wins in
or you know, five straight wins, clean sheets. But they're
also playing at home and yes it's kind of a
Phoenix home game depending on how you look at it.
But yeah, you can't you can't criticize their start. So yeah,
(01:44):
Auckland are the bookies' favorites.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
Yeah, well, if you trust the actual bookies. I'm just
looking at the odds right now. Auckland FC a dollar
ninety one. Wellington are paying three dollars ninety to win
this game. I think that's pretty good money for Wellington
if you fancy a flutter on, who are now the
away team? Because you know, Phoenix has been coming to
(02:06):
Auckland for over ten years, and they've always been the
home team when.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
They're there, and they've played well there.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
They've only lost one of their eighteen games in Auckland,
so they always play well up there. But it's a
complete flip of the script, isn't it. They're going to
have a small little pocket of yellow Fever and that's.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
All it is. And I'm excited to see how many
Yellow Fever fans turn out and how many you know,
Auckland is is wearing Phoenix fans and they've stuck by,
you know, they've stuck with their loyalty. I'm going to
be surprised if there's not a good, decent chunk of
fans wearing yellow shirts. I don't know if it's too
(02:46):
soon to call it pioneer. I mean, we'll probably do
our predictions at the end of the podcast, but I
think Wellington, the Wellington Phoenix will win this game.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
I actually agree, And let's get to our predictions at
the end. But I actually agree, and I think even
and we'll explain our reasons why. I think it's the
best narrative as well. If the Phoenix were to go
there on Saturday and win as Auckland did a month
ago in Wellington and one it just completes a brilliant narrative.
And then we've got number three to come, which we
do have to wait a while for. It's not to
(03:15):
the back end of February. But yeah, look, let's let's
not get let's not get too far ahead of ourself.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
Just on the yellow foevere to all.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
So, obviously there's the designated block, but you expect all
around the ground there to be dots of yellow.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Oh, I hope so, and I hope in that designated area.
You know, it's a big chunk. I'm hoping. You know
that there were what five hundred Auckland supporters down in
Wellington for that derby a month ago. I'm hoping there's more.
There's more yellow, you know. Wellington Phoenix fans, yes, dotted
around as well, potentially, but I'm pretty sure they're banned
from anywhere in the south stand or anywhere in the
(03:51):
port section at least. Bumped into a couple of Phoenix
fans at the opening game who said, no, we can't
go and sit in there with a Phoenix scarf on.
So yeah, definitely going to going to be interesting to
see if there's any fans trying to sneak in there
and cause some banter.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
No, I mean, why would you though that's the That's
like Auckland fans trying to get into yellow Fever and Wellington.
I mean, it's just no point in it, because there
there's no point in it. There's plenty of other places
to sit. You're right about the yellow Fever zone that
will be absolutely rammed with Phoenix fans. I don't know
how many tickets were allocated their way, but it's got
to be let's say, three four, five, one hundred, let's
say up in that section. We talked earlier in the
(04:28):
year about the placement of that of that zone. It
seems an odd place for me to have the away
fans up, you know, up in an upper tier up
to the port's left. I would have preferred it if
they were at the other end, you know, if they
were at they were end on, like in Wellington, for example,
the port were all down the northern end.
Speaker 4 (04:47):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
I know they can't do it because of the bank
and all that sort of thing, but it seems like
an odd place for the away fans to be.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
So they're quite close to each other, and I actually
think that's a really annoying thing for the Port because
I think the Yellow Fever out chant the Port. You know,
they've got some amazing existing chants which I could roll
off my tongue, you know, growing up down there. You know,
ones that have been around for years. But and I
think they're going to be loud and you know, the
(05:17):
Port of building their chances as we speak and as
we go on these weeks. So yeah, it's a shame
for the Port that they're so close to the Yellow Fever,
I think in this instance.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Yeah, but in many ways that'll make them lift their
game as well, won't it, you know, And you're right,
I mean Yellow Fever have had a seventeen year head
start on the Port in terms of getting their chants
and getting themselves in unison and that sort of thing.
But I thought the Port did a pretty good job
down at Wellington when they came down for the for
the first derby, and obviously it helps when you win.
So yeah, we look forward to seeing the interaction between
(05:48):
the two sets of fans on the pitch. Let's drill
down a little bit into this. Who do you perceive
to be the really important players for both sites?
Speaker 4 (06:00):
Well?
Speaker 3 (06:00):
I think for the Phoenix, undoubtedly someone like Alex ruth
A Costa Barbarus's Tim Payne. You know, the three or
whites that are going to need to step up and
keep their team together. Obviously, you know mentally it's a
huge game for them coming up here. But at the
same time, the Japanese imports have been so good and
(06:22):
I think it's going to be probably an import from
either side who's going to decide the team when it
comes to Auckland. I think the back line Alex Paulson
and Nando and Dan Hall in front of them, they're
going to need to be switched on because no doubt
Chief he has analyzed over these first five six weeks
(06:44):
exactly how to break this back line down, and that's
currently how to clean sheet.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
Yeah, I think the most important player for Auckland is
the bloke who plays the same position as Alex Rufer
does for the Phoenix, and that's Lou for Strata. I
think the way that he is sat in front of
that back four and just basically cut teams off at
the pass even before you get to the back four.
And Alex Bawson. When a team keeps five clean sheets,
you go man. The goalkeeper must be good, and he is.
(07:11):
And you say, well, the back four must be really good,
and they are. But I think he's the man. I
think he's like a nightclub bouncer. He just sits in
front of that back four and he's any trouble, he
just turns it away.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
Yeah, he's I expected him to be taller than what
he was, and when I caught up with him during
the week, I was I think it's just his presence
on the park. I said to him. I was like, oh,
I thought you were taller, and I think I offended
him quite quite a bit. But I think it's just
because his presence on the park is just incredible, you know.
(07:43):
He stands so tall and dominates as you say, so, Yeah,
he is another key player for Auckland.
Speaker 5 (07:49):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
They always look bigger on TV, do, don't they. I've
often thought that about players you go down to. I
thought the same about Giguomo Mai when I interviewed him
after the first game, and he was.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
A lot, you know, more short of stature. Then I thought.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
You look at them out on the pitch, and yet
they sort of growl a little bit, don't they on
the on the television and in the way that they play.
Let's hear a few of the answers that luisva Strata
gave you when you chet up to them the other
day about Auckland's excellent start to their their life and
the a.
Speaker 4 (08:20):
Leg I knew we had a good team when I
arrived here, but winning five games in a row not
conceding a goal is quite extraordinary, so I didn't expect
it to be honest. Yeah, we just take each game
individually and we tried to keep the nill as far
as much as possible each game, so we'll see how
far we can take this. I think we have quality wise,
that we have a good squad. It all starts for
(08:41):
me with quality. So this is the quality is really good,
the players and stuff everyone involved. And also we are
all like I think, good, good people as well, so
we are we are a good team and it's it's
falls together nicely. Yeah. I think everyone is doing really well.
You know, nobody is standing out. I think our strength
is the team as a whole, not the individual, so
I think that's that's how strengthened. Also that each player
(09:02):
is is interchangeable, so we are like HAROKEI didn't play
last weekend. Someone else came in and we performed just
as good. So for me, is this seem so we
have a good squad. We have Dibtzel. That's the that's
the real, the real strengthening team.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
That is the voice of Louis Vastrata.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
So I think that last comment was in response to
the question you asked him about about his own performances.
You suggested to him that a lot of people in
the media, fans, everybody are saying how impressive he's been.
He was very quick to deflect away from himself, wasn't he.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
Yeah, he was. I don't know if that's a cheeky
thing to me to ask, especially when Francis to Reez
was standing right next to us. But he has been
He has been stand out, and I'm sure all of
his teammates and the coaches have have noticed that. And
as you say, Piney, he's been so key for this
team and will be again on Saturday.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
So when you look at the way they're going to
line up, if Hiroki Sakai is fit, he'll clearly come
back and out right back. I thought Callin Elliott had
a good game there the other day. His first game
of football for a long time. We can go into
the reasons for that another day. But I thought he
came in and played really well. But Hiroki sarkives the
captain of the team. If he's fits, he plays, So
let's assume he does, you know, past whatever fitness tests
(10:12):
he needs to and starts. Can you see any other
changes to the starting side for Auckland FC.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
You know, I think you're right. Hiroki does start, and
I understand that he is first and he's saving himself
for this game. The only other questionable one is whether
Nata Moreno comes in for the likes of Logan Rogerson
or Liam Gillion. He scored an absolute worldy of a
goal in the last game. It was just yes, so
so nice kind of half volley on the side of
(10:40):
the foot. But you know, whether he deserves his starting
position or not after that goal, I'm not sure. I
think I get the feeling, and I asked Steve Croker
as well. I get the feeling he's going to stick
with that same starting lineup that's kind of worked for
him so well. And Nata Moreno's come on in a
couple of games now and you know, done a job.
(11:02):
So yeah, why change that up?
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Yeah, all I'd say is that I'm not sure that
Logan Rogerson has absolutely seized his opportunity in this team. No,
he got the start at the start of the season,
but he and Liam Gilligan, because I mean you watched
a lot of their preseason and it was Gillian and
Rogerson who kind of jumped the kill a little bit
ahead of Jesse Randall and Joey Champness really for those
starting spots because Nadal Moreno of course was late arriving,
(11:28):
wasn't He didn't get that till right at the start
of the season, so he wasn't ready to start. But
I don't know whether I think Liam Gillian's done enough.
I'm not sure that Logan Rogerson has done absolutely enough
to hold off Nate A Moreno. And as you and
I've said a lot, you know, if you're an import,
you really need to be starting. If it's not this week,
I get the feeling at some stage he will. I
(11:49):
wonder whether it is this week that Moreno gets let
off the leash from the start.
Speaker 3 (11:53):
Yeah, and I don't mind it from choreography, does decide
to do it, you know, change it up? Chief, He's
probably expecting that Loan does start and they go with
what worked well for them. But you're right Piney, and
I agree that I don't think Logan's had a great
couple of last games. You know, he obviously scored in
that opener, which shows he's good and big moments, so
(12:14):
maybe that's why they'll go with him again. But it
is close to call, and again, a great problem to have.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
Yeah, it's good. It's good.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
A good problem to have for Steve Coriker, not just there,
but right across his squad just before we moved to
Wellington Phoenix. Auckland FC could break a couple more records
this weekend. The most minutes without conceding at the start
of an A League season is four hundred and sixty nine.
The Mariners did that in the seven eight season, so
if Auckland FC don't concede before the twenty minute mark,
(12:45):
they will beat that record. That seventeen year old record
now the most minutes without conceding at the start of
any season in Australian men's league history. And this is
going back before the A League, back to the National
Soccer League as it used to be called four Dred
seventy four minutes by Preston Macedonia in nineteen eighty six.
So if Auckland don't concede before the twenty five minute mark,
(13:08):
they'll beat that record as well, which is thirty.
Speaker 1 (13:10):
Eight years old.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
And finally, if they were to keep another clean sheet,
that would be six. No one in a league history
has ever kept six consecutive clean sheets. It's quite the
remarkable set of records that they've put together and continue
to look to break.
Speaker 3 (13:26):
That's yeah, that's crazy. I mean, whoever searched this up,
whether it was you pioneers.
Speaker 1 (13:31):
Impressive, wasn't mean no, it wasn't me. No, it wasn't me.
Speaker 2 (13:35):
Andy Howe, who is the A Leagu's official statistician, has
provided these numbers. But yeah, as impressive as the researchers,
the you know, the continual ability to just keep goals
out of their net is amazing by Auckland FC.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
It is. And you know, I asked Steve as well
earlier during the week, you know, because they bring on
Tommy Smith as their kind of closer for the match
and they you know, kind of go to the A
three at the back and they've got a real plan
to kind of keep this clean sheet. Record going and
very very tight defensively. Well done to Alex Paulson, who
(14:13):
you know could have gone either way coming in. Yeah,
very impressed. And you know those Kiwi boys in particular Nando,
Alex Paulson, Francis Devrez, Tommy Smith, they're all putting their
hand up for the All Whites.
Speaker 2 (14:29):
I noticed from Alex Paulson as well. You know, at
the start of the season and certainly in the first derby,
which was in Wellington, he was a little bit reserved
in terms of a celebrations. Yess, he celebrated with the
team and all that. But after that game the other
day against Newcastle, he's whacking the badge on his chest
and he's all in Auckland.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
I've seen now is in the ap.
Speaker 3 (14:49):
Yeah, no, he is. And actually shout out to Dane Ingham,
was it, who played for Newcastle, who's also a Kiwi.
I thought he was. He was great in that game
against AFC, and you know he clearly had a bit
of a grudge against his fellow Kiwi players and yeah,
hopefully someone like Darren Baize was watching.
Speaker 2 (15:09):
Yeah, I thought, no, you're bang on. I thought Danning
was the best Newcastle Jets player. You know, it was
in a battle with Francis Devreeze up and down Newcastle's
right Auckland's left. He had to deal with Liam Gillian
as well and the strikers. So yeah, I thought, thought, yeah,
Danningham had a really good game. All right then, So
in the face of all of that, how do Wellington
(15:30):
Phoenix become the first team to break down Auckland f C.
And the second part of that question is do you
have faith that gian Carlo Italiano has a plan to
do that?
Speaker 4 (15:41):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (15:41):
He has a plan, Pioney, he has a plan. He's
a very smart man, very smart coach. I really rate
him as a coach. And you know, if it wasn't
for that blunder that josh Aliwayimi, you know, conceded in
that first match, it would have been nill Like. I
truly believe that. So they are not to be ruled
(16:02):
out whatsoever coming into this game. Despite auckland season incredible start.
You know, the Phoenix two have had a great start.
I think you told me Pine it's the second best
start in the club's history. So they've got a plan
and I again, I think they're gonna win. As they
said earlier.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
Yeah, look, let's jump into predictions. I think they'll win
it as well. I think they'll win it one nil.
This isn't going to be a three all draw or
a five to four thriller. Both teams are very good defensively.
We talk about Auckland's The Phoenix have only at three
in and they're five games, and two of those were
against Auckland. You know, one was the mistake by Olloway
Emmy and the other one was a goal when when
(16:39):
Willington were chasing the game in the ninety seventh minute.
So they're both very good defensively. I just feel as
though Wellington have more tools to unlock Auckland than vice versa.
We've talked about Logan Rogerson. You know, Liam Gillians had
seventeen shots without scoring. Gmo Mais only got one goal
in five games. You know, A Brimmer got those two
(17:00):
goals against Wellington, but they were a little bit you know,
they're not necessarily a result of cutting teams apart. The
only goal I can think of where they really cut
a team apart was the very first goal they got,
that own goal against Brucebane, where it was that really
lovely passing move down the right Sarko puts it across
the box and Harry Vandersarke puts it in his own net,
so they're not taking teams apart, whereas I just feel
(17:21):
with Barbarusis, Marco Roja Sa Dicky a Shiga that Wellington
do have those game breakets.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
Yeah, they do, and obviously plenty more experience in the league,
so that's definitely something to consider. You're right, Pineyer in
terms of I don't know if it's too harsh to say,
but a lot of Auckland's goals have been quite fluky,
but at the same time they have managed to close
out games regardless. So yeah, the next will be aware
(17:50):
of that, but I feel like they've got a plan
to Yeah, they'll be looking at that defense in terms
of how to break them down. And remember, Alex Poulsen
was the goalkeeper last year. They know him probably better
than what his own teammates know him currently.
Speaker 2 (18:06):
You know, what would be an amazing scenario to play
out in this game would be a penalty to Phoenix.
Alex Paulson what last year save three of the five
penalties he faced in a Wellington Phoenix shirt. He knows,
Alex Rufer, he knows Costa barbarusis who are I guess
two of the more likely penalty takers.
Speaker 1 (18:26):
He knows which way they typically go. He would have faced.
Speaker 2 (18:29):
Goodness only knows how many penalties from both of them
during training down the years. Imagine if there's a ninety
fourth minute penalty for Wellington Phoenix to win it, and
it's Alex Paulson staring down Alex Rufer.
Speaker 3 (18:41):
Imagine and it's down that end of the port and
the yellow fever where they are, I could just oh,
it would be so exciting if that were to happen.
And as you say, you know, great for the narrative. Yeah,
I don't know. I feel I'd feel so nervous for
app and you know whoever is to take the Phoenix,
but it would make a pretty iritable story.
Speaker 2 (19:03):
Yeah, I think it was. It was a mount smart
when he saved that one from Jamie McLaren last year,
wasn't it for men Melbourne City? So he knows the
ground well, obviously it's his homeground. Now, so many layers
to this. Yeah, So I've got the Phoenix winning at
one nil.
Speaker 3 (19:17):
Okay, I also have the Phoenix winning at one nil
or nil. All it's going to be like a really
annoying grudge deadlock match which everyone will be gutted about.
Speaker 2 (19:29):
Well, I think you think about the first Derby and
that was nil all for eighty nine minutes.
Speaker 3 (19:33):
That's what I mean. It's going to be another one
of those. And I hope it's not. I hope it's
a five four thriller, as you say, but I just
don't think it's going to be.
Speaker 5 (19:40):
No.
Speaker 2 (19:40):
I just don't think it's in either of these teams
DNA to open themselves up so much at the back
they let four or five goals in. It just feels
as though it was going to be cag And I
remember saying in commentary in the first one that it
felt more and more as the game went on, as
though it was going to be a moment of utter
brilliance or a mistake by somebody, and it was, you know,
hindsight a wonderful thing, but it was. It was a
(20:00):
mistake by Olloway Emmy that opened the door for Auckland
f C. What your hope is that actually the game
is broken open by a moment of magic. What would
be good, Bonnie, would be an early goal.
Speaker 3 (20:10):
Yeah, that would be great to get an early goal.
First half goal. Because what you've got the stat Painty
that a lot of Auckland f C's goals have come
really late, and it's it's not fun for a footballer,
ye or it's not I mean maybe for a football
fan like us who get it. You know, we understand
the ins and outs of it. But there's going to
be a lot of you know, neutral fans that you
know are there for the spectacle and we want goals.
(20:33):
So I hope there's an early goal.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
Six of their eight goals Auckland f C have come
after the seventy five minute mark, so yeah, so they
are late scorers, but they find a way. Even that
Jets game the other day, it's nil all going past
the eightieth minute and they went at two nil they
found away. Same with Sydney FC, you know, one nil
sorry nil all deep into at a time and Nando
Pinicke back heels won and for one nill they find
(20:56):
a way and you know they They're momentum has been terrific.
Speaker 3 (21:01):
The longer, the longer the game is drawn out, Auckland
f C win right, So the Phoenix, if they're winning
this game, they need to get on the board early.
I don't think they're the ones, you know, scoring late.
Speaker 2 (21:12):
Yeah, it's an interesting little dynamic, asn't they have. They
haven't had to score late this season Wellington, have they to?
They did again the other day against Melbourne victory Melbourne.
Yeah that was That was the latest goal by Costa
barbarusis linking with Marco Rojas. The two Neil one over
Perth was was a goal in each half. The three
one over the Mariners. They would turn a love at halftime.
(21:33):
So yeah, yeah, yeah, I think well Auckland have proven
themselves to be these, you know, the masters of the
late show. So so maybe it comes that way again
now Corbyn Piper just wanted to hear from him. He
played for Birkenhead, of course for a long long time.
Not a long time, but he certainly played for Birkenhead
this year. He set some time in Ireland as well,
(21:54):
I think, but born and raised in Auckland. He's now
with the Phoenix and as there as a utility really
I think you played in a sort of a creative
midfield role for Bergenhead, but he's been playing sort of
right back, center back, even up top off the bench
for Wellington during the week I spoke briefly with him
and asked him if he thought that actually coming from Auckland,
(22:16):
whether Auckland f C might be his more natural road
into the pro game.
Speaker 5 (22:21):
Initially, it was Auckland f C for me, like I was,
that was my goal. I didn't really think about Wellington
Phoenix because I did think that they were pretty academy
focused and you had to be in the academy to
then graduate into the first thing, which is how it
should be. I think that's a really good way of
doing it. So yeah, I was looking at Auckland f
(22:41):
C and playing as a ten. I just felt there
just wasn't room and Auckland FC for me as a ten.
But thankfully Wellington Phoenix actually looked outside the academy and
looked at me in different positions and looked at my
best attributes i'd say, and slid me into a center
back or fullback or striker role. So yeah, that's just
(23:05):
how it came about. Yeah, that's it. Well, I can
speak on behalf of all the boys. We're pretty keen
to smash them and get rid of that wedding street good.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
But a heat there at the end from Corbyn Piper,
I think he's pretty keen to be involved in a
game on home. So interesting that yeah, he was passed
over by Auckland FC. I don't know whether they looked
at him or not, but yeah, it's an interesting little
storyline that he's ended up down in Wellington.
Speaker 5 (23:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (23:31):
I hope he gets more game time for Wellington because
I had heard of him during the kind of Northern
League phase just from some mates and football going, hey,
keep an eye on this guy. He's really good. So yeah,
glad he's been picked up by either of the teams,
and just hope he gets, you know, more minutes for
the knicks and whatever position that is by It sounds
he's all over the place all right.
Speaker 2 (23:52):
Just to finish, as we've said, huge crowd in coming
officially sold out. You sent me a link this morning
for tickets on trade me going for quite a bit
more than they would have been bought.
Speaker 3 (24:01):
For actually crazy like four hundred bucks. Scalpers are trying
to sell them off for and I mean, you know,
it's it's terrible, and anyone listening to this podcast, don't
buy those tickets. As Nick Becker said to told The
Herald that you know, go and watch it at a bar.
There's plenty of great bars you know, around the country
(24:22):
to watch it from rather than or around Auckland, rather
than paying that much for a ticket if it's legit
or not. But I think the funny thing is the
fact that this A League match is getting so much
hype that these scalpers are like, oh, let's give it
a go. You know, I feel like that that would
have never happened in the A League maybe a final
or something like that. But yeah, pretty incredible.
Speaker 2 (24:41):
Never ever, never, ever, ever, you know, has anybody ever
not been able to get a ticket to a football
match in New Zealand?
Speaker 1 (24:50):
Is the is the question? Really? And it would have happened.
Speaker 3 (24:54):
Maybe maybe maybe the Football World Cup last year.
Speaker 2 (24:57):
Yes, that's that's a good example, Yes, that one. But
a mystic game between two New Zealand sides. I don't
think it. I don't.
Speaker 3 (25:05):
Oh it's bah Rain.
Speaker 2 (25:06):
Yeah, but again an international game, not domestic between I mean,
if you'd said to me, you know a year ago
when Auckland first was mooted as a possibility in the
A League, Okay, six or seven weeks into the regular season,
you're going to have to go to a scalper and
pay four hundred bucks for a ticket to watch this
team play.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
It would have been laughed out of town.
Speaker 3 (25:26):
Bonnie laughed at sound exactly. And you know, hats off
again to Auckland FC's marketing that they've they've made it
this way. They've opened up the seating, they opened up
the north stand, the bank and they're trying to break
the record by a cheeky number one more than what
the Wellington Phoenix got. So yeah, it hats off to
(25:46):
the marketing team of Auckland f C. And yeah, just
making this derby so incredible. You know, it is going
to be a special occasion and I'm just gutted that
these scalpers are kind of ruining it.
Speaker 2 (25:58):
Yeah, I mean I think someone will buy the tickets. Yes,
some I think like a rich dad or mum will
buy it for their kids. Well, they'll buy a couple
of tickets, and there'll be people who want to go
to the game haven't been able to get a ticket,
and we'll just say, oh, okay, well I'll pay the
four hundred bucks's I mean, it's a regular season game.
It's just incredible we're even talking about this. But again,
(26:21):
it's an illustration of just what has happened around this
new A League club. Jacob Spoonley, friend of the podcast
and my co commentator on Sky Sport, does have. He
wanted me to tell people he's got one ticket to
give away, but he's and he's doing it on x
or Twitter. So hit up Jacob Spoonley on Twitter. You'll
find the post. You've got to reply to it with
(26:43):
a good reason why you should get it or something
like that.
Speaker 1 (26:46):
Yeah. I don't know how Jacob's ended up with one ticket.
Speaker 2 (26:50):
I mean, it would be more palatable if it was
a family pass or something like that. But he's got
the one ticket and he wanted me to shout it out.
So hit him up and you could be the the
twenty six, two d and fifty third person there ensuring
that the regular season's season attendance record is broken. On
Saturday at Mount Smart.
Speaker 1 (27:11):
The FFFE with Piny and Body.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
Let's go to the Wellington Phoenix Women. They're back in
action after their bye week or the international break or
was it the buye that they had, It doesn't really matter.
They didn't play last weekend. They played this coming Sunday
four o'clock back home at Pottido Park. They had their
first win in U Nite Round, beating Adelaide United one
nil in Sydney. Pretty important for them to get a
(27:34):
win after three straight losses.
Speaker 3 (27:36):
I thought it was so cool they got a win
by a not so bad goal and that they played
a right I felt like it was coming for this team,
that they were going to get a result soon. They've
got a good, good team, regardless of how many players
left last season, and I loved that they won over there,
which seems like ages ago now, but they had a
(27:58):
great yellow fever continue there on the sidelines that they
all celebrated with after and then obviously the men went
on to win later that weekend. So yeah, great that
they got the three points and hopefully they can continue
it on this weekend.
Speaker 2 (28:11):
Yeah it was coming, wasn't it, Because what they lost
the previous week one nil to New cast or the
week before that one nil to Canberra.
Speaker 1 (28:17):
They had that terrible.
Speaker 2 (28:18):
Twenty minutes in the first game against Western United when
they let four and that game was gone. They haven't
actually been that bad, and defensively they've been pretty good,
like I say, and now in the last three games
only two goals conceded, so they're tightening themselves up there.
I'd love to see more up top from them, you know,
I'd love to see some of the you know, some
of the goal scoring prowess of the likes of Emma Maine,
(28:41):
Olivia Ferguson the New Import. We saw Mia McCutcheon score
a goal that won them the game against Adelaide United.
But yeah, I know, without Mney, Una speke Meyer and
without Laboring the point watch her banging and goals for
Melbourne City, as we've talked about a couple of times
on the podcast, and just what a huge loss he
was to that team.
Speaker 3 (29:01):
Well there's no reason why Grace Jarlay, who is you know,
had got quite a few caps for New Zealand, played
at a World Cup, why she can't be you know,
banging in goals and nothing against Grace, you know, but
I think the team needs to find a way to unlock,
unlock a player like Grace Jarlay, even someone like a
list of win him. You know, she's so close. So
(29:22):
I think it's coming for this this team as long
as they you know, don't they're not They're not too
hard on themselves and they stick together because you know,
if these results don't come. You know how how tense
it becomes between between teammates and things like that. So
they've got to stay together and hope that they can
keep building off this most recent result.
Speaker 2 (29:44):
Yeah, another reason why it was important to get it right.
If they've gone four games without a win, then all
of a sudden you start to wonder where it's going
to come from. Now they've got it, they got Brisbane,
then they go away to Melbourne, victory, home to Sydney
FC and away to Melbourne City. So it's a tough
December for Paul Temple's team. Brisbane a second three wins
and a last. They lost their opening game to Canberra,
but then they've won their last three one nil, three
(30:05):
nil and four nil, so they're good defensively as well.
A coach by former Wellington Phoenix men's player Alex Smith,
so he'll enjoy a return back to back to Wellington,
although the game will be played at Potido A Park.
Really sad news about Rebecca Lake though, Bonnie another defender
out for the season for Wellington.
Speaker 3 (30:22):
Yeah, you message me Piney saying there needs to be
more education around a cl injuries and women's sport, and
I couldn't agree more. It's yeah, just so gutting. I
really rate Rebecca Lake as a player. You know, she
was so good on the domestic scene for so long,
got her opportunity with the Next last season, and yeah,
just or was she her season with the next last
(30:45):
year was cut short? Wasn't it? With another injury? But yeah,
just so gutted that that she's.
Speaker 1 (30:52):
Done her a cl and Wells is an ankle. It's great, Yeah,
it's it's Malia Steinmetz has done the ace. How that's
when I sent you that message.
Speaker 3 (31:02):
But the thing is a rambo.
Speaker 2 (31:04):
But even even the fact that that, you know, it
was like another one another one, another one exactly, you know,
I mean, I feel terrible for for Rebecca Lake. I
think she's an absolute positive force around that group, was
really starting to find her way without MAURICEA.
Speaker 1 (31:19):
Vandermere there.
Speaker 2 (31:20):
She was set to be a big part of that,
you know, that Phoenix defense alongside Mac Bowry. And I
just rarely like the way she goes about her football.
And as you say, missing some of last season and
now all of this such a you know, because you
only get a small window for these things.
Speaker 5 (31:35):
You know.
Speaker 3 (31:35):
Yeah, and she's quite a senior player, I guess. I
mean she's still young. I want to say she's twenty
four to twenty five, but she's she's quite you know,
played in big games domestically, so yeah, definitely a big
loss is a leader at the back. But yeah, just
just gutted. It's another person on the season in season
(31:56):
ending injury list.
Speaker 2 (31:58):
Olivia Kelly has been brought in by the Wellington Phoenix.
She is an American center back. She will be available,
as I understand it, for the game on Sunday. She
is taking up her first professional contract. She played in
college over in the US for New Hampshire Wildcats before
joining the North Carolina State wolf Pack. I think it
(32:21):
is yeah, North Carolina State University. The wolf Pack is
the name of their team. So hopefully she'll bring some
of that ferocity to the back line for the Wellington
Phoenix women. As I say, they play on Sunday afternoon,
four o'clock at Potidowa Park Football Fever. Emma Humphries is
the new Wellington Phoenix Academy director. Again, one of the
(32:43):
many messages that you send me when things happen in
the football world landed in my phone for context Emma
Humphrees is the wife of Bev Priestman, who has recently
been relieved of her duties as Canadian head coach after
the drone spying scandal at the Games. You wrote a
piece in The Herald chatting to Tom Somani about the
(33:04):
possibility of Bev Prieseman being the new Football Ferns coach.
Speaker 1 (33:08):
Are the stars aligning here?
Speaker 3 (33:10):
She's coming home, piiney. This is she's just plotting. It's
one step at a time. And Emma Humphreys as well.
Her I kind of was in discussions with people about
who could possibly, you know, be in the mix with
the Ferns. She's a former Fern herself and you know,
could have taken up an assistant role or something like that.
But the fact she's come back to the Panis Academy great.
(33:32):
I think she'll be really, really great in that role.
And you know, a Bev Priestman may have a coffee
or two with New Zealand football.
Speaker 1 (33:41):
Who knows, Yeah, who knows? I mean, I don't know.
Speaker 3 (33:44):
I know, I don't know, but I would like to
see it.
Speaker 2 (33:46):
Well, geographically, it makes sense, doesn't doesn't it. You know,
if Emma humphreyes is here looking after the Phoenix academy,
then obviously Bev Priesteman is going to be here as
well being her wife, so I guess if she's in
the country then she's probably in the convice.
Speaker 1 (34:00):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (34:01):
Well, let's not forget as well that Auckland f C
are going to be on the hunt for a woman's
first team coach. They're obviously joining the A League woman
next season, so I understand that there's been some names shortlisted.
So perhaps Bev Priestman what her suspension would end around
July next year, just in time for the A League
(34:21):
season to kick off.
Speaker 2 (34:23):
It's all coming together. Emma Humphrey star is as a
good hire for Wellington Phoenix, as you say, former Football
Fern coach Canada, the under seventeen Women's World Cup assistant
coach at Liverpool for a couple of seasons, has had
some really high, high profile coaching jobs and to oversee
the academy is that's a good role, a really good
role and a good hire for Wellington Phoenix. To get
(34:44):
Emma Humphries into that role, you know they might have
got a whisper that that Emma was in the frame
for the football Ferns jobs. I thought we better get
her before she gets her head turned by that job.
But we wait and see what happens with Bev Priestman.
The plot thickins, but we just we'll keep an eye
on them.
Speaker 1 (34:59):
Football time marching on.
Speaker 2 (35:02):
We'll leave Kiwis overseas for this week, but I do
want to talk about the National League Championship Finals which
were held at Albany last weekend. Auckland United beating Waterside
Carrory three to one in the women's final. I think
that makes it four titles, doesn't it. This season for
Auckland United, they are just well, they've just monstered everybody.
Speaker 3 (35:22):
Yeah, it's crazy, really happy for them. They've got a
really solid team. They had the likes of Paige Satchel
starting the final on the bench for Auckland United. She
only came in for the National League season. But still
you know they've got such a great roster and good
on them for winning and saying that. I am gutted.
I'm always keen to see the underdog or another team.
(35:44):
Weren't it just to change it up?
Speaker 2 (35:45):
Look, I think everybody who wasn't an Auckland United fan
wanted water Side to win the same with the men's final,
which we'll get to in a moment, but as soon
as as soon as the first goal winning, which was early,
wasn't it two minutes in p of Locke hit there
one from outside the area, which actually the wolf Is
keeper problemably could have done better. With all of a sudden,
your one kneel down and the wind comes out of
your sales. You want to start fast against an overwhelming
(36:06):
favorite and you know keep you know, keep nice and
tight at the back and all of a sudden won
nil down after two minutes.
Speaker 3 (36:12):
It's yeah, it's not ideal, particularly in a final. You know,
the championship games you always want to be on the
usually their grudge matches right to the end, which kind
of happened in the men's game. But yeah, not ideal
for water Side to concede that early.
Speaker 2 (36:29):
But let us give kudos to Walkland United. You know
you've still got to win these things. So they add
the National League Championship to the Kate Shepherd Cup, the
OFC Women's champions League and their win in the Northern
League Women's Premiership. So congratulations to Walkland United and all
conquering year for you. So you'll enjoy your summer. And
(36:49):
the men's final Birkenhead United against perennial champions and finalists
Auckland FC. This one went to extra time, angus Kill
Collie scoring the winning goal again I thought. I mean,
by contrast to the earlier game, Burkenhead started a really well,
nice guy by Monty Patterson. They were Rehead and just
(37:10):
couldn't hold on.
Speaker 3 (37:11):
I really hoped Burkenhead were gonna get the job done.
I think they had an incredible season, even in the
regional phase. They were the most challenging side for these
top teams like Auckland City, like Wellington Olympic and yet
get to take Auckland City to extra time is pretty impressive.
(37:33):
But I think any team that kind of well, I
mean it didn't happen in the Chatham Cup final, but
a lot of teams that take Auckland City right to
the end. Auckland City, they're kind of like Auckland f C.
They always find a way to win.
Speaker 1 (37:46):
That's it.
Speaker 2 (37:46):
They find a way and at the end of the
day they're the ones with the trophy because they found
a way. Good experience in that team. Angus Kill Coli'S
are say scoring the winning goal. He's been around the
domestic scene for a while. Mario Ilitch, I don't think
the tac like ever get older. He seems talking bit
around about thirty years he talks about twenty four.
Speaker 3 (38:04):
Yeah, seriously, and remember Auckland City. It's a good win
for them because they're playing in the Club World Cup
next next year. I actually believe the draw comes out
tomorrow morning, Friday morning as we record this. So they've
got a big kind of focus to turn their heads
too now and this will be a good confidence booster
(38:24):
for them.
Speaker 2 (38:25):
Weld on Auckland CITYFC. Weld on Auckland United National League
champions for twenty twenty four. That brings oh issue we
should mention to Libby Cacacchi and c J Bot nominated
and FIFA's the best awards, so eleven defenders in the
men and eleven defenders and the women, and Libby Cacachy
and c J Bott are among them.
Speaker 1 (38:44):
I mean, good thank.
Speaker 3 (38:46):
I mean if you were to ask me Piney, who
of our national team players would make that, you know,
you would probably guess those two. Maybe someone like Chris Wood,
but he's only just recently kind of gone all right,
But yeah, very very impressed and.
Speaker 2 (39:02):
So happy for them, very happy for them. Indeed, all right,
that is us on football fever. Are you going to
be celebrity spotting on Saturday up in the corporates for
this game? Have you got a ticket to the to
the you know the area where only the very special
A listers are allowed to go.
Speaker 1 (39:19):
Are you going to be watching it from the port?
What are you going to do?
Speaker 3 (39:22):
Well, look, Parney, I'll do a bit of work first.
I'm going to be roving around trying to speak and
interview some punters. So if you see me down there
with a herald mic in hand, you know, don't be
afraid to come up and chat the game with me.
But yes, I will be loitering around, loitering around seeing
who's who's there and who's turned up for the occasion,
but just so excited to watch it and see what
(39:44):
happens on the day.
Speaker 2 (39:45):
You should maybe like a try, you should put your
media pass on trade me. You probably make about one
thousand dollars.
Speaker 3 (39:53):
It's got my head shot on it.
Speaker 1 (39:55):
That's true.
Speaker 3 (39:55):
No one's going to be able to use.
Speaker 1 (39:57):
It, that's true. That's true. Like I was only I
was only half I was only half joking. It's the
hottest It's the hottest ticket in town. Body. I'll tell
you what. Someone someone to pay five hundred bucks for
him to tell you.
Speaker 3 (40:08):
I could do with that. That'd be great, all right.
Speaker 2 (40:11):
Well, if you're making it along on Saturday, we look
forward to seeing you there. Let's hope the occasion delivers
on the hype which has been monstrous this week. Just
can't wait for another great occasion in New Zealand football.
We will review it all for you on Football Fever
next week, whichever day takes our fancy. It could be Monday,
could be Thursday, who knows. We don't seem to operate
to any particularly structured roster here on Football Fever, but
(40:34):
we will chat next week, Bonny.
Speaker 3 (40:35):
We'll see it then.
Speaker 5 (40:42):
This is Football Fever
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