Flying Kiwis – July 14
Chris Wood - Burnley FC (English Premier League)
It looks like a relatively routine one, right? The Woodsman playing off the bench again in his second game back, coming on a bit earlier this time in the 58th minute as Burnley did what needed doing in beating West Ham 1-0. The goal had already been scored, Jay Rodriguez popping up with another banger (a header that took as much shoulder as it did noggin and just crept in off the crossbar but they all count the same), so no moment of glory for Woodsy... he’d actually scored six times in five previous games against West Ham but alas ‘twas not to be on this occasion.
But it wasn’t actually that routine at all because this just so happened to be Chris Wood’s 100th Premier League appearance. One for West Brom, nine for Leicester City, now 90 for Burnley. He has 32 goals to show for those matches and is the third kiwi after Ryan Nelsen (198) and Winston Reid (166) to reach the century mark. Big ups to the big man.
Wood came on and immediately had to do some defending, hardly even touching the ball in the first five minutes he was out there meanwhile Sebastian Haller should probably have equalised with his first touch of the ball after coming off the bench for West Ham soon after Wood. That was the story of the game for West Ham as they had plenty more chances and a bit more possession but just couldn’t do anything with them the way that Burnley did late in the first half. The Clarets then closed it out for a typically Burnley 1-0 win and kept themselves very much in the mix for Europa League places with four games remaining.
The fella did good though. Wood looked sharp in his half an hour, getting two shots on target and having a goal disallowed for offside. The first effort on target was a scrambly one off a deflected Charlie Taylor cross that was saved very comfortably. He also shaped up a defender on the left with a few stepovers while isolated in the box and worked enough room to get a heavy shot off which was wall saved. Otherwise we’re mostly talking a lot of trying to hold the ball up as a target man and dropping in for set pieces but it was still nice to see him put this one away even if it was pretty obviously offside, no real celebrations or anything.
All good practice for him because a few days later they faced off with the champions Liverpool and for game 101 the man was back in the starting lineup. Which meant that for the almost 65 minutes that he was out there (still building up his match fitness) he got to watch the champs rolling downhill over and over again while he toiled up top without seeing a lot of the ball. But Burnley are Burnley and despite the worries of their squad depth they’ve been superb since the restart. Although Andy Robertson did give the Reds a first half lead the Clarets kept themselves in the contest through some stout defending, some wasteful Liverpool finishing, and especially some absolutely brilliant goalkeeping from Nick Pope.
Robertson’s goal came in the 34th minute from a rocket of a header after one of the few lapses in concentration at the back from Burnley. But eventually Liverpool would pay the price for their wastefulness. They “left the door open” as Jurgen Klopp said afterwards. Only problem was that this all happened after Wood had been subbed off... only touching the ball 13 times. Perfect passing record to be fair but he lost the ball three times and was offside twice with zero shots to his name. The stats don’t always tell the story in footy but on this occasion they sum things up pretty accurately, a quiet yet gruelling day at the office for Woodsy.
Yet Burnley had timed their run beautifully. They equalised through a wonderful strike from Jay Rodriguez in the 69th minute as he got free and volleyed one in after a set piece long ball into the mixer and in those final twenty minutes it was actually Burnley that came closest to winning it. Andy Robertson had a penalty shout declined for which he chewed out the refs afterwards but it was Johann Berg Gudmundsson whose shot off the crossbar late on really should have booked the three points. Still, a 1-1 draw against the champs is a remarkable result – the first points that Liverpool have dropped at Anfield all season (they’ve taken 108 out of the last possible 114 points at home). Burnley did that. And with three games to go they remain a shot of qualifying for Europe although they’ll need some other results to go their way too (and Man City’s reinstatement to the Champions League doesn’t help).
Burnley’s remaining matches:
Burnley vs Wolves, Thursday at 5am
Norwich vs Burnley, Sunday at 4.30am
Burnley vs Brighton, Monday at 3am (all NZT)
Up Next: See above
Michael Boxall, James Musa & Noah Billingsley – Minnesota United (American Major League Soccer)
The MLS is back, baby! And being America and all it’s about as complicated and confusing as you’d expect. Same as with the women’s comp, a team has had to withdraw because of a coronavirus outbreak within the squad. FC Dallas were the unlucky ones here... so at least that won’t affect any of the max eight New Zealanders who’ll be involved in this bad boy. Nashville are also having trouble with a few cases too and had to delay their opening game. Plus there’s drama about the living conditions and the meals and all that.
But complications aside, the MLS is up and running now for 2020 and the first opportunity we had to see any of the kiwi contingent in action was when Sporting Kansas City took on Minnesota United. Noah Billingsley didn’t make the cut for the matchday squad – bit of a shock to hear he had a heart condition discovered during his medicals after he was drafted, although that’s all cleared up now thankfully and this was before he smashed club fitness records in preseason – though James Musa was named on the bench, same as Winston Reid was for SKC. Meanwhile Michael Boxall, mate, no biggie. Just wore the captain’s armband is all with a few fellow Loons missing (including his usual CB partner Ike Opara).
That captain’s armband was more than a little special too. Remember that Minnesota was where the recent marches against racial injustice, the catalyst being the murder of George Floyd. And it was George Floyd’s name that was printed on that armband.
Not the best quality first game back for either team, you’ve gotta say. They both showed good intent in sharing the ball around and building possessions but they also both struggled to do much with the ball and after a long time off with minimal preparation you sorta had to expect that level of sloppiness. But, yeah, the standard of play was shocking in that first half in particular right up until SKC took the lead in the 43rd minute, Boxall getting beat on halfway as he rushed up to close down Alan Pulido but it was the Minny keeper anticipating the cross too early and allowing Khiry Shelton to slip his finish inside the near post that really shocked it.
The Loons didn’t adjust too well to conceding that goal and after the break they were on their heels trying not to concede a second... until the game took a turn as Minnesota were able to squeeze in an equaliser from a corner kick. The goal was disallowed after a lengthy VAR intervention because of a maaaarginal offside from a player who SKC inexplicably allowed to stand free less six yards out but them’s the rules. Minny finally found a bit of energy after that disappointment though and they hit the crossbar soon after and then went on to get the SKC keeper sent off for taking down Aaron Schoenfeld. Looked harsh since the dude was heading away from goal and there was defensive cover but then the disallowed goal was harsh too.
The sloppiness remained and Minny had trouble figuring out how to take advantage of the extra man. Lots of wasted crosses and a few close calls from set pieces. Some poor awareness on attack too. Seven minutes is a lot of injury time though and finally Minnesota got what they were looking for. A swirling cross into the box from a free kick which was heading towards Mike Boxall but was turned in by Khiry Shelton for an own goal. Scored for both teams on the day, whoops.
Then they made another one count. Kevin Molino with the volley from the cutback after a deep cross and thus decided a bonkers game of football. 92nd minute and 97th minute goals. The Loons then celebrated by subbing on James Musa for a club debut for the last few seconds and Minnesota United took it 2-1. They were terrible for the first hour but somehow found a way to win. No sign of Winston Reid by the way, unused sub. He’ll have to wait just a little while longer for a return to proper footy.
Decent from Boxall given the circumstances. He had a couple shakey moments but he had a few imperious ones too holding things down at the back and being given the captaincy shows the weight he’s held in at the club these days. He’s only five games shy of his 100th MLS match, by the way. James Musa, on the other hand, made only his second MLS appearance with his brief cameo at the end there. August 2017 was his first, a ninety minute effort for Sporting Kansas City, called up to give a few regulars a rest before their US Open Cup Final. This time he played against SKC for less than ninety seconds. Beautiful to have him back at this level. Long live The Moose.
Up Next: Saturday at 2pm, Real Salt Lake vs Minnesota Utd (NZT)
Erin Nayler – Reading FC (English Super League)
It’s been a not-so-well kept secret in recent times that Erin Nayler has been chilling with a contract coming from the WSL in England. Just a matter of when and especially where. The hopes of her joining Arsenal disappeared this week as Aussie goalie Lydia Williams took up that vacancy (the manager of Arsenal is Australia’s Joe Montemurro and they’ve also recently signed Steph Catley). Also West Ham popped up with the signing of another Australian goalie in Mackenzie Arnold, while their previous glovewoman Anna Moorhouse has curiously signed with Bordeaux and effectively replaced Nayler there.
Well, wonder no longer because Erin Nayler herself has told TVNZ that she’s off to Reading. It hasn’t been confirmed by the club yet so there’ll be more about this next week for sure but just for the breakdown, Reading had a pretty excellent season last time as they ended fifth after the season came to a premature halt. But the pandemic hit hard with players put on furlough and a number of first team players have left at the conclusion of their contracts which leaves a bit of rebuilding to take care of. Goalie Rachel Laws is one of those to have left, going back to Liverpool, though Grace Maloney has been the preferred starter and she remains at the club so a little competition there for Nayler no doubt. She’ll be the second kiwi to represent Reading in the WSL after Anna Green played 11 games for them over two seasons.
It’s a pretty fascinating time to be joining the WSL too. It was disappointing that they weren’t able to complete last season but the flipside of that is things are going full steam ahead for the next and a seven month break between top flight English women’s football seems to be giving teams a chance to seriously reassess things in the transfer window. A bit annoying that most of the cash is being spent at the top with the gap between the top three clubs (City, Chelsea & Arsenal) and the rest potentially about to grow even larger but we should still see some quality filtering through and this deal is proof of that. The transfer window’s been open for more than three weeks now but to give you a bit of context about the delay in announcing Erin Nayler it’s been a real struggle on a logistical level to sort most of these transfers out, just with the travel and medical complications of old mate 2020. Patience is a virtue.
Nayler is thus the first name ticked off a list of current free agent Footy Ferns regulars. Ali Riley has left Orlando Pride since they’re not actually partaking in the current NWSL Challenge Cup season due to pando reasons. Meikayla Moore led MSV Duisburg to safety in Germany but has since departed for new challenges. And Olivia Chance too, she’s out of contract and has left Bristol City.
Up Next: A little more confirmation
Joe Bell – Viking FK (Norwegian Eliteserien)
Joe Bell’s ascension at Viking has come at the same time (and in part because of) a wider stumbling start to the season from the club. There was plenty more of that on show as they hosted Odd (yes, real name). Within the first three minutes they’d already had two shots, one a lash from the left of the box and the second a header over from one of Belly’s fine-ass corner kicks, but then Odd settled in as the more attacking team and would take the lead from a Tobias Lauritsen header at the far post in the 17th minute.
It was destined to be one of those frustrating days. Lauritsen twice drew saves outta the Viking keeper before the end of the first half with the VFK defence looking pretty sketchy. Ten minutes into the second stanza Bell had a crack from outside the box but curled it wide. Might as well have a peek at that one...
With Viking beginning to get a bit more control of the game they subbed Bell off in order to go more attacking for that equaliser... which they got almost straight after he went off. 61st minute and Viljar Helland Vevatne headed in strongly from a free kick swept into the box. Woulda probably been taken by Bell if he’d been out there still, so it goes.
Problem was that Viking then couldn’t grab a second goal while they were on top and then they got sucker punched at the death. Second minute of injury time and Kasper Lunding Jakobsen cut inside and curled the winner in off his left peg, Odd claiming this one by a 2-1 scoreline. Viking still only have one win and that’s now from seven matches. Not Bell’s best game either. Uncharacteristically gave the ball away a couple times in dangerous areas, lucky to dodge a yellow card for a rough tackle in the first half. He was bound to hit a bump in the road eventually.
Up Next: Thursday morning at 0400 away to Molde (NZT)
Katie Bowen – Utah Royals (American National Women’s Soccer League)
So the first Flying Kiwis Derby of the post-restart didn’t quite go as planned (neither did the second – with Winston Reid sitting out that MLS game). Having come off with a bit of an injury last game, Rosie White was an unused substitute for OL Reign as they faced the tournament hosts Utah Royals while Katie Bowen was also named on the bench. She would be brought on at the half – a recurring theme that the Royals seem to be mixing up the minutes for their wingbacks to keep everyone fresh – but it was a game that didn’t quite go her way as the Reign snatched victory late on.
It was a bloody good game to be fair. Amy Rodriguez was a constant threat for the Royals through a scoreless first half although the Reign had their moments too despite being second best. Bowen was immediately involved once she came on. A few moves trying to link up down that right wing and within a couple minutes she’d had a shot too... a hopeful volley which never sat up for her on the artificial turf and ballooned over as she sorta pulled out of it late.
But this game got increasingly frustrating for Utah. They were finding decent space down the left with Mallory Weber but they couldn’t put anything away and as the clock ticked on the Reign began to make more and more happen. Beth Balcer went close with a long drive. Kristen McNabb headed just wide. Then Balcer, in the first minute of stoppage time, had a similar headed chance off a similar Yuka Momiki cross and that right there was your winner, folks. There was still time for Katie Bowen to whip in a trio of crosses, including one that Vero Boquete got a shot on target from (albeit straight at the keeper), then another deeper cross, but that was that. No dice. A first loss for Utah this tournament and a first win for the Reign.
Thankfully Bowen was back in amongst the starters for Utah’s final group stage game against Chicago Red Stars with seedings for the knockout round most definitely on the line. Bowen came in at right back as you’d have guessed. Compared to some of the other games of this Challenge Cup, this was also pretty exciting so props to the Royals for that much. Lots of counter attacking with speedy forwards on both sides and each keeper having to do their share of work.
Chicago had the ball in the net in the 52nd minute although it was swiftly disallowed for an obvious foul on the goalie yet Chicago continued to have the better of the game from that point onwards. Bowen didn’t have a huge influence. One shot on target from outside the box which was saved comfortably, not a lot of opportunities to cross either, and she was replaced after 71 minutes with the Royals looking in more and more danger of conceding.
Which, eventually, they did. 85th minute and Casey Short had the crucial goal. Got up at the far post to head it in. To be fair it’s not a defeat that does too much to Utah’s chances although conceding another late winner ain’t a good look. But basically all you wanna do in this group stage is avoid drawing North Carolina in the knockouts and Utah had already done that while Chicago had to win this game to avoid such a fate and that desperation was kinda evident. It all gets real from the next game onwards though.
Both the other two teams with kiwis involved, Abby Erceg’s NC Courage and Rosie White’s OL Reign, were/are in action today (Tuesday) in their final matches of the group so you’ll have to wait ‘til next week for that. The Courage are guaranteed first place either way. Quarterfinals happen over the upcoming weekend.
Up Next: We’ll have to wait and see how the seedings shake out
Nikko Boxall – Viborg FF (Danish Division 1)
Credit where it’s due for Viborg, they’re having a fair old crack at it over these last few weeks. In beating Nykøbing in a dramatic one last Tuesday morning (NZT) they made it 10 points from a possible 12 as they try to stay in touch with Vejle at the top of the ladder. This was a wild game too. VFF had some classic goalmouth scramble action early on that they couldn’t quite squeeze into the net but quarter of an hour in they were on the board thanks to what looked like a very soft own goal but was actually credited to defender Jakob Bonde hanging around up the top there. Got the final touch on it with his head.
That lead only lasted five minutes before Lars Pleidrup beat the offside trap to level for Nykøbing but that’s all good because it gave a bit of extra shine to Nikko Boxall’s goal in the 27th minute to put VFF back up. Yeah mate, Nikko has been in and out of this starting team as they rotate around the short turnarounds between games so it’s hard to tell where everyone stands but a goal always helps the cause. His first of the season, get in. Less than a minute earlier he’d nearly scored from a corner, making a sharp run to the near post, and still staying forward after the set piece he was in the right place at the right time to make some sloppy defending work in his favour.
That was the highlight of the game for Flying Kiwis but the yarn continues. Viborg went straight back on the attack to no avail and continued to have the better of the chances into the second half – twice hitting the frame of the goal. But they were made to pay for not scoring any of those with a three-minute binge from the Nykobs as first Simon Schultz slammed one in low in the 66th min and then in the 68th Mathias Thrane put the visitors in front 3-2 after VFF had failed to deal with a bit of head tennis.
That’s when the real drama occurred. 72nd min and Tobias Bech levelled us up after another poor defensive clearance... and Jeff Mensah then won it in the 82nd with a shot from midfield. VFF goalie Brandon Austin had to tip a ball onto the crossbar in stoppage time but VFF held on for the 4-3 win. Unfortunately Vejle also won that same morning, keeping the gap between them seven points with four games remaining.
Next up it was Fremad Amager trying to get in the way of Nikko and the lads. And... sorry to say it was back to the bench for Nikko Boxall as seems to be the pattern. He’s only started three out of 10 games since the restart, coming on as a sub three more times. None of those starts have been consecutive. Anyway, against Amager VFF had to twice come from behind to draw 2-2 with the second equaliser coming in the 87th minute. Boxall didn’t feature. The draw basically ends their chances of promotion, not that they were too likely anyway, as they’re now nine points back with only three games remaining, but they’re also seven points clear of third place. Have a geeze at the highlights if you so desire...
Up Next: Vejle vs Viborg, 11pm on Sunday (NZT)
Hannah Wilkinson – Djurgården IF (Swedish Damallsvenskan)
Boom, there it is. A debut for Wilkie at her new club and it didn’t take too long after all. The pandemic made things tricky even after it was announced that she’d signed with Djurgården, especially when they play in Sweden yet Wilkie was still training in Northland at the time, but in the end she only missed two games before making her debut this week.
It was against the undefeated Linköping and Wilkinson was named on the bench to start. The Links got off to a sharp start when Uchanna Kanu gave them the lead after quarter of an hour by tapping in from a quality deep cross. However Djurgården arguably had the better of the rest of that half, particularly when Olivia Schough got free on that right wing. A double sub was therefore made coming out of the break to try and capitalise on that energy, with Hannah Wilkinson and Sheila van den Bulk both introduced... Wilkie wearing that number nine jersey too.
Her best chance was a flukey one from a corner which nearly landed in her path but was cleared to safety but Linköping were otherwise too well organised and despite DIF having three times as many shots it was that lone early strike that was the difference. 1-0 to Linköping but a first 45 minutes under the belt for Hannah Wilkinson with her new club. Something to build from for sure. Catch the highlights here.
Up Next: Wouldn’t ya know it, they host Wilkie’s old club Vittsjö at 5am on Thursday (NZT)
Betsy Hassett - Stjarnan (Icelandic Úrvalsdeild kvenna)
A 3-0 defeat away to Valur. We’re talking about the top team in the comp and they were up 2-0 after 16 minutes so there’s not a lot else to say about it. Hassett played the full game as per, she’s in a bit of an awkward place on a very young team for the Stars. She doesn’t even turn 30 for a couple more weeks but on a team with an average age of about 20 and a half she’s comfortably the oldest in most starting lineups.
After that game came a round of 16 cup tie against Selfoss... and they lost that one 3-0 as well. Three straight defeats by three goals in all comps, bring on a few easier games now please.
Up Next: Stjarnan vs KR (Hassett’s old team!) on Wednesday at 7.15am (NZT)
Hunter Ashworth - Pittsburgh Riverhounds (American USL Championship)
Quick shoutout to Hunter Ashworth, a kiwi youth international, who made his debut for Pittsburgh in the USL Championship in a 3-1 win over Louisville City. Played 67 minutes before he was replaced, picking up a yellow card in the process. Ashworth started in a back three and was subbed off with all the goals already scored. One more fella on the bandwagon, gotta love it.
The USL isn’t going to be as popular for the near future with MLS fringe players obviously unable to just drop on in and get a game whenever the fixtures suit since those MLS dudes are in a bubble right now. So in the meantime we’ve got Ashworth with Pitt holding it down along with Oscar Ramsay at Charlotte Independence and Sam Brotherton at North Carolina... neither of those teams played in this this opening round of USL restart.
Up Next: Philly Union II vs Pitt Riverhounds at 11.30am on Sunday (NZT)
Tyler Boyd – Besiktas (Turkish Süper Lig)
Yeah, yeah. He’s an American international now. But he did play a couple times for the All Whites and he came up through the Ole Academy and he played for the Welly Nix so you might still wanna see Tyler ‘The Eagle’ Boyd getting amongst the goals for Besiktas.
This was his first league goal for Besiktas since getting that move in the last off-season following an excellent loan spell with Ankaragücü. He’s played 18 times for the club in the Super Lig so far, 10 of those starts as he’s sorta oscillated between the bench and not. Besiktas went on to win this game 3-2 with a 90th minute strike from Guven Yalcin to mark three wins out of their last four and get them back in the hunt for European places – currently sitting fourth.
Up Next: 6am on Monday vs Yeni Malatyaspor (NZT)
Help us TNC folks out with a pop on our Patreon page if you appreciate what we’re up to
Also whack an ad to say cheers and sign up for our email thing