Flying Kiwis – October 19
Ria Percival – Tottenham Hotspur (English Super League)
It’s been a slow start to the term for Ria Percival, still getting up to full speed after her knee injury and having to begin the term outside the first choice eleven. New coach Robert Vilahamn has named the same XI for all three league games... even going so far as to use three of the same subs in all of those games too. Ria Percival is the fourth sub on that list, getting two appearances totalling eight minutes so far. We’ll talk about the second of those soon.
But first there was a midweek game to begin the League Cup group stage. Spurs vs Reading. A perfect chance for the coach to do some rotating and he took that opportunity by making ten changes to his established starters. Amongst them was Ria Percival in the midfield wearing the captain’s armband.
How’d that go? Yeah pretty sweet. Spurs won 6-0 playing some beautiful football along the way with those depth players all putting their hands up for more game time. Percival nearly scored from an early corner with a flicked header. She missed that one wide but wasn’t about to do the same when a similar chance presented itself in the second half. Goal for Captain Percy. She went on to play the full ninety minutes – the only other time she’s done that since the ACL/meniscus injury was in the Football Ferns win against Norway at the World Cup.
Robert Vilahamn: “I think it’s a good way for the other players who haven’t played the first games to show me where they are and also to show the fans that they are really good players as well, and to show that this new Tottenham style is about togetherness. We do it together and I think the players showed that tonight – 10 new players, they still played the way we should do and I liked that.”
Nice to get off to a winning start in the Conti Cup. Even nicer to rack up some early wins in the Super League. Percival was back to the bench for the visit to Brighton but she did get subbed on near the end and wasted very little time in getting amongst it, slamming in a late clincher via a deflection as Spurs won 3-1. That’s only her third WSL goal in 69 appearances. The matches are a kiwi record by more than double anyone else (Liv Chance played 26 games in the English top flight, though CJ Bott will surpass that in a few weeks – currently on 24). The goals tally still trails Rosie White’s 4... but Percy is in goal-scoring form right now. Back to back games with her name on the scoresheet.
Spurs had gone behind inside of ten minutes on account of an Elisabeth Terland goal but Brighton were quite wasteful and Martha Thomas tied things up in first half stoppage time before a belter from Grace Clinton put Tottenham ahead on 65’. Percival then sealed the deal on 90+4’. That makes it back to back wins after a close defeat to defending champs Chelsea. They’re looking decent.
Up Next: Aston Villa vs Spurs at 3am on Sunday (NZT)
CJ Bott - Leicester City (English Super League)
CJ Bott has also been on the outside scrapping for a way in at Leicester City lately. Thus a Conti Cup visit from Liverpool shaped as a chance to get herself a start... getting ninety minutes for a relatively strong Foxes team in a 2-1 win. Aimee Palmer (34’) and Hannah Cain (50’) scored the goals either side of Natasha Flint’s equaliser for the Reds (45+3’). Catch some highlights here.
A Conti Cup start was nice. However the real deal was when Bott was then elevated into the starting line-up for the WSL match against Manchester United. In at right back as the Foxes went a bit more traditional with their formation against one of the better sides in the league. They’d won their first two matches but this was different, this was against a team currently going through Champions League qualifiers – the first major test to see whether Leicester City are a legitimate threat or if they’ve just had a couple fortuitous games.
There was a mistake from CJB early on as a square pass was intercepted but luckily Janina Leitzig was quick off her line to shut down the danger. You could see why they wanted the more defensively sound option back there because the likes of Nikita Parris, Melvine Malard, and Lucia Garcia were all looking to run down the wings. Bott had some crucial interventions against them lot of them. After a bright Leicester start with plenty of high pressing, MUFC did get more dangerous as the half progressed and the Foxes never really created anything. They were fortunate to make it into the break at 0-0 after Miyazawa and hit the crossbar and Leitzig had saved off Garcia both in stoppage time.
Bott could easily have set up a goal with an overlapping cross at the start of the second. Nobody there though as it fizzed across the six yard box. She then got booked on 52’ for arriving a split-second late and clipping Parris on the turn. United then did what big clubs do and turned to the imperious depth on their bench bringing on Ella Toone, Leah Galton, and Rachel Williams all at once. But instead of Man Utd taking control of this thing, it was Leicester City who scored soon afterwards when Aimee Whelan converted after a Courtney Nevin free kick delivery on 60’.
That lead only lasted seven minutes before Maya Le Tissier headed in from a Katie Zelem corner kick (MUFC’s usual source when in need of a goal). But they never got another one. Not even in the ten minutes of stoppage time (lots of injuries in this one) could United find a winner. The Foxes absorbed all sorts of pressure towards the end and they came out of it with unbeaten record in tact. Ninety minutes for CJ Bott. She ended up with the most touches for her team, also making 2 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 2 blocks. Passing sometimes went a bit awry but defensively she was massive as her team grabbed a statement result. 7 points from three games... it took them 14 games to reach that tally last time.
Up Next: Home against Manchester City – a top of the table clash – on Sunday at 5.15am (NZT)
Max Crocombe - Burton Albion (English League One)
If you’re going to miss a national team game to stay behind and help your club instead, you might as well make the most of it by giving a man of the match level performance in a clean sheet victory. Lincoln City 0-1 Burton Albion. Crocombe made one superb fingertip save while it was still 0-0, then Lincoln got a red card early in the second half before scoring an own goal soon afterwards. Enough to win a few plaudits for his performance, right on.
That’s three wins in a row for Burton. They’d won 1/10 prior to this cheeky run. A third clean sheet of the term for Crocs, who has the third best save percentage in the entire division – remarkable for a team that’s been on the back foot in more games than not this season. He’s conceding less than a goal per ninety minutes. It was disappointing when he started the campaign as the second choice but it didn’t take long before he proved his worth in emphatic form. There’s a reason that Burton Albion negotiated him out of the All Whites tour: he’s indispensable to them.
Up Next: Burton vs Bristol Rovers at 3am on Sunday (NZT)
Ali Riley - Angel City FC (American National Women’s Soccer League)
Decision day in the NWSL and there were all sorts of ramifications for all sorts of teams with playoff spots on the line and no more last chances available beyond this one. For Abby Erceg and her Racing Louisville, the trip came to its conclusion with a 2-0 defeat against San Diego Loyal - the winners of the NWSL Shield as first placers in the regular season. They gave it a crack. They came up short. It’s a work in progress there but Erceg once again showed that she remains one of the elite defenders in this league.
So scratch them off the list. Ali Riley and Angel City were in the same bag needing a win against one of the top couple sides in order to have any hope. Portland Thorns were their opponents. And out of absolutely nowhere, with no hints that they were even capable of this, they utterly destroyed them in a 5-1 victory...
It was a tremendous performance. Probably the team’s best ever result. Mary Alice Vignola broke things open in the 36th minute with a thumping strike, before Scarlett Camberos doubled that lead two minutes later with a dominating header. 2-0 up at the break and then it soon got way better when Savannah McCaskill converted at the near post a mere ninety seconds into the second half and then Sydney Leroux scored one of the goals of the season on 51’ to have the Angels in heaven... so to speak. Not a bicycle kick, to be clear. She had a leg on the ground pretty much the whole way. That’s not what a bicycle kick is, you can’t ride a bike with your leg on the ground. But still an absolutely stunningly good goal. Even when Portland pulled one back through Hina Sugita, ACFC immediately hit back through Jun Endo.
Ali Riley was subbed after 72 mins with her team up 4-0. Didn’t get involved in any of the goals but she was one of the most passionate celebrators of all of them. Typical Alexandra. She lined up at right back but had a surprisingly simple day up against Morgan Weaver and Crystal Dunn. Might be a different story if they meet again in the playoffs... but for now the Angels have every right to celebrate what they’ve achieved with a first ever finals appearance now on the fixture list.
The margin of victory was crucial as well because only a couple of goal difference points separated them from elimination (given the results that occurred Racing Louisville would have been out even if they’d won... if that’s any consolation (doubtful)). Angel City won both their last two games and took 14 points from their seven matches post-Challenge Cup. It was a wonderful turn-around after a midseason coaching change - specifically under interim manager Becky Tweed they have won 6, drawn 4, and lost only once. Now they’ve got the chance to end Megan Rapinoe’s glittering career in the playoffs.
Up Next: OL Reign vs Angel City, 3pm on Saturday (NZT)
Grace Neville & Paige Satchell - London City Lionesses (England Championship)
Pick that one out, jeepers. Add Grace Neville to the long list of Flying Kiwis players with club goals recently. Absolutely whacked the leather off that one to give her team the lead early in the second half of a Conti Cup meeting with Watford. Always been capable of a bit of that – Neville’s a good attacking fullback. Paige Satchell played the last half hour of that one off the bench... unfortunately the Lionesses conceded an 87th minute equaliser for a share of the points and then lost the penalty shootout for the bonus point. The teams went eight takes deep but Watford won it 7-6 after the 2-2 draw in the game itself. Don’t really want to add this last bit but the two players who missed for the Lionesses? Neville and Satchell.
Don’t really want to say much about the league game that followed either, as Crystal Palace were simply too good in a 6-1 victory. Same deal here with Neville starting and Satchell coming on after an hour (with her team having just conceded the sixth goal). That’s four Championship defeats in a row for LCL... though to be fair Crystal Palace might be the strongest team in the division. They’ve scored eight goals more than anyone else despite playing one fewer game, and that game in hand is the only reason they’re not top.
How good was that goal from Grace Neville though? Yeah mate that’s the one.
Up Next: LCL vs Southampton on Monday at 1am (NZT)
Kiara Bercelli - Chievo (Italian Serie B)
NZ U19s forward Bercelli is on the books at Sampdoria in Italy, playing for their U19s last season, but is currently on loan at second tier Chievo getting senior minutes as that next step in her development. Good things. She’s mostly played off the bench for Chievo, which is fine, and she played off the bench again in their Coppa Italia clash this past week: a cup tie against powerhouse Italian club Juventus. How’s that for an experience so soon into her professional career?
Among the players on the part for Juve were Lineth Beerensteyn, Paulina Nyström, Martina Lenzini... while Barbara Bonansea came off the bench. Needless to say, Chievo were outclassed 6-0. Bercelli was subbed on at half-time with half of those goals having already been scored, playing as the left-winger. Not a lot of touches. That was never going to be the case given the gulf between the two sides. But lots of running, always tracking back, and she did connect with a few tidy first-time passes. Plus she very nearly scored. A back post header from a long free kick which she put on target but straight at the keeper who was in a good position. Would’ve only been a consolation... but what a consolation. KB also took a corner kick from the right side which ended up being headed onto the top of the net.
Here’s a full replay...
Up Next: Away to Brescia on Monday at 2am (NZT)
Tommy Smith – Milton Keynes Dons (English League Two)
Max Crocombe missed an All Whites game to be a hero for his club side. Tommy Smith answered the same call, summoned back to MK Dons after a couple of defensive injuries left them light, but alas he didn’t get the same result. He almost did. As their game against Barrow ticked into the referee’s discretion the Dons were 2-0 up... only to somehow conceded twice in stoppage time and have to settle for a 2-2 draw.
Smithy had played pretty well, making a couple of brave blocks along the way. But it’s hard not to say his team bottled it after allowing goals in the 90+3’ and 90+5’ minutes. The second goal was a cracker of a finish but it came about because they didn’t handle the situation, their coach Graham Alexander calling it a period of “blind panic” whilst criticising his team rather strongly after the game for their lack of poise. Perhaps a little too strongly, betraying a loss of trust in the dressing room. After a bright start had seen them up near the top of the table, they’ve since gone winless in eight league games and now guess what? Mr Alexander has been sacked.
Elsewhere in League Two, Jamie Searle’s quality performances in the EFL Trophy weren’t enough to get him a league start for Forest Green Rovers when regular keeper Luke Daniels got injured. Instead they signed veteran James Belshaw on an emergency loan at the start of the month and he’s been playing ever since. Initially a seven-day deal but they keep extending it. Most recently, Belshaw kept a cleanie in a 5-0 win against Colchester that represents a sudden return to form for the club. Don’t be too discouraged. Searle’s a young goalie and they clearly have plans for him down the line. They just don’t want to expose him too soon. Whether you agree with that strategy or not, it’s not because the club doesn’t rate his abilities.
Up Next: Sunday at 3am, MKD are away to Accrington Stanley (NZT)
Zac Jones – Haverfordwest County (Welsh/Cymru Premier)
There’s just something about this guy and penalty shootouts. Despite his brilliant performances in the Conference League qualifiers a few months back, Zac Jones hasn’t actually been playing lately for HWC. Their league form was awful to kick things off and he soon found himself on the bench behind local fella Ifan Knott who then played really well and you know how that goes. Jones has been an unused sub for the last four matches. They’d only won two out of 11 league games prior to this week though.
However, Jonesy returned for the Welsh Cup tie against Baglan Dragons and did what he usually does in such situation: saved penalties. The game itself was a 0-0 draw by ZJ inspired a 4-1 shootout triumph. Not a drama to be seen. He then kept goal in a 3-2 league win over Penybont so all is well in the world again.
Up Next: Away to Bala Town on Saturday at 2am (NZT)
Indiah-Paige Riley - PSV Eindhoven (Dutch Eredivisie)
It was left wing-back duty for Indi Riley this week as PSV took on Fortuna Sittard. Wouldn’t say it’s the preferred situation but it beats being on the bench. PSV have had a couple dumb results already so they’re still trying to figure out their best combinations. Riley did play some wing-back when she was in Denmark with Fortuna Hjørring, albeit relatively soon before she departed the club so that might not be a good sign. But for a team like PSV that position will still allow her to be more attacking than she is defensive.
PSV hit the crossbar with a long shot early against Fortuna but otherwise found them tricky to break down. Limited chances at both ends in the first half... PSV did shade it but not to where it really mattered. Then they conceded a penalty (from the opposite flank to IPR) which was converted by Tessa Wullaert on 59’. Fortuna missed a couple of great chances to kill things off on the counter attack. Better than anything PSV mustered in that time. A 1-0 defeat for PSV, their second in a row meaning they’ve only taken 7 points from 5 games to begin their season. Indi Riley played 79 minutes before she was subbed.
Up Next: PSV vs Utrecht at 6.30am on Saturday (NZT)
Claudia Bunge & Daisy Cleverley - HB Køge (Danish Kvindeliga)
It’s still not flowing smoothly for HBK but they’ve ground out another win. 1-0 against Aalborg. Cornelia Kramer hit the crossbar after 20 minutes which proved to be an outlier moment so when they hadn’t created anything like that again in the rest of the half they subbed on Daisy Cleverley at the break to try and fix things. Claudia Bunge of course played ninety mins at centre-back like usual. DC nearly got an assist after picking out Kramer in the area but the shot was well saved. Instead it fell to another substitute, Alyssa Walker, to supply the only goal in the 70th minute. The move did stem from a Cleverley cross. HBK had a couple cracks at it before Walker poked it over the line. That was the one they needed.
Elsewhere Nordsjælland’s great start took a halt with a 2-0 loss to Kolding. Beaten in a top of the table clash. Weird thing there is that Malia Steinmetz was only on the bench, playing the last 15 minutes. S’pose they learned their lesson with that. Ally Green’s AGF also lost 2-0. In their case they were beaten by Fortuna Hjørring with Greenie getting 71 mins. Kolding are now top on 16 points. FCN are third on 14 points. HBK are second on 14 points with a slightly better goal difference than FCN and also with a game in hand that could send them top.
HBK and Nordsjælland actually played each other in the Danish Cup last week too. Limited info on that game, which is a shame because Bunge, Cleverley, and Steinmetz all started. It was 0-0 after ninety minutes. Both teams scored in extra time. Then FCN advanced via a shootout (none of the kiwis took pens).
Up Next: Midnight on Sunday/Monday, it’s HBK vs Thy-Thisted (NZT)
Katie Bowen - Inter Milan (Italian Serie A)
Yeah... they kinda got smashed in this one. Almost all of the chances fell for Roma who probably should’ve won by more than just two. Inter had a couple of sparse moments when they might have tied things back up while down 1-0 but nah if anything that scoreline flatters them. But Roma are the defending champs of Italy so no worries there. Inter Femminile aren’t quite on that level yet. Another full game for Katie Bowen continuing to level up as a Serie A defender. The other Inter CB scored an own goal in this one.
Up Next: Inter vs Napoli at 11.30pm on Saturday (NZT)
Jacqui Hand - Åland United (Finnish Kansallinen Liiga)
Must be annoying when you spent much of the year in the title race, only to fade down the stretch, and then the last game of the season is away to KuPS who actually won the title and you have to watch them get presented with the trophy afterwards. Following a game which they lost 4-3 (it was 2-2 after eight minutes).
Jacqui Hand only played off the bench, brought on after 52 minutes. She did miss the recent Football Ferns games with injury (although still travelled) so she’s obviously still dealing with something – she suffered an ankle injury late in the World Cup stint so it’s been a stuttering few months. Almost immediately after joining proceedings, Hand controlled and volleyed a corner kick cleared her way on the edge of the area. Shot on target but saved. Not a lot else of note, so it goes. Highlights here. Aland United had already confirmed their third-place finish last week so there was nothing on the line.
Hand scored 7 goals in 15 games this year, plus another 6 in 5 in cup competitions. Albeit no goals since the World Cup. Wasn’t able to have the same impact after her time away despite her impressive form at that tournament. Last year she scored 7 goals in 17 games (as well as winning the Finnish Cup, setting up a goal in the final). What was initially only a short term contract ended up lasting the best part of two years... but it seems that the KuPS loss was her last for the club. In fact she might have already left already were it not for how much she enjoyed it with AU...
Jacqui Hand to YLE: “I have been part of this team now for a couple of seasons. They have treated me so well, Steve Beeks is a great coach and the team was incredible. I wanted to come back here to finish the season and do my best. All the support I have received from the club during the World Cup. It didn't feel right to leave in the middle of the season. I have had discussions with a few clubs, but I have not yet signed any agreement. I've been looking in the direction of Sweden, England, and a few other places. Nothing has been locked yet. Let’s see where the road goes.”
Up Next: Watch this space when that January transfer window opens
Betsy Hassett - Stjarnan (Icelandic Besta Deild)
Here’s another situation to be aware of. Betsy Hassett returned to Stjarnan after the last Wellington Phoenix season to help them in their Champions League qualifiers as well as trying to get back there again in the ongoing season. The qualifiers were good fun, they were outclassed but it was an experience to savour. Didn’t get back there again though. The Stars lost two of their five championship round games to drop to fourth rather than rising to second as they’d hoped. The question now is whether Hassett will be back again next year.
Up Next: We shall see
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