Flying Kiwis – October 4
Liberato Cacace – Empoli (Italian Serie A)
When we last checked in on Libby Cacace, he’d been dropped along with half his Empoli team and nothing had improved thus the manager got sacked a mere four games into the new season. Four defeats from four without scoring a goal. Laters to Paolo Zanetti... and in his place returned Aurelio Andreazzoli for yet another stint at the club, the same manager who once signed Cacace in the first place.
That was the state of affairs two weeks ago. There was no Flying Kiwis last week because, frankly, it was a bit of a down week (with the women on international break) and the TNC football desk needed to get up to scratch with the new National League season first. So this will be a double-banger edition which means there are three Empoli games to catch up on... alas the first of those saw Cacace remain on the bench behind Giuseppe Pezzella as the Azzuri lost 1-0 to Inter Milan to continue their hopeless start to the season. Make that two games to catch up on then.
Ah but their luck began to change with a midweek match against Salernitana a few days later. Not in a good way for Pezzella because he suffered an ankle injury early in that game which is now, after scans, expected to rule him out for the next 2-3 months. In his place came Liberato Cacace and it would appear that he’ll now get an extended run as the main man at left back. Potentially for the rest of the calendar year. Sucks for Pezzella but he’ll be alright. We’re not here for him. Cacace Season is back on track, people.
What’s more is that Empoli won that Salernitana game. Their brittle confidence was on full display with some of their poor shooting, despite being on top in the game, but in the 34th minute that magical moment finally occurred: their first goal of the season (in game number six). Tomasso Baldanzi from six yards, scoring on the end of a sharp run and a square pass. They’d gone 574 minutes without a goal so luckily that one was all they needed. Salernitana hit the post late in the game. Cacace and company survived for the 1-0 victory. They’re on the board.
But they couldn’t back it up against Bologna on the weekend. Making his first start since August, Cacace was booked after only ten minutes and would be subbed with twenty to go – taken off soon after Roberto Orsolini scored his second for the home side. Orsolini went on to complete his hatty in stoppage time for a 3-0 Bologna win. The second goal went under Cacace’s legs as he rushed to close Orsolini down – seemed like he must’ve had instructions to defend narrow but it didn’t exactly work.
All stuff for the new/old manager to work on. At least they’re not last - Empoli have scored one goal in seven matches yet Cagliari are still beneath them on the ladder. Not that being second-to-last is any consolation because there’s a very dangerous threat of relegation for Empoli if they can’t figure things out, having spent almost the first 20% of the season digging themselves a hole to climb out of. But they will have the blessings of Libby Cacace as starting left back for the foreseeable future so hopefully that does the trick.
Up Next: Empoli vs Udinese, Saturday at 5.30am (NZT)
Michael Woud – Ventforet Kofu (Japanese J-League 2)
Michael Woud has had a tough time of it these past two years but form and talent and temporary and permanent and all that. He’s hardly played since moving to Japan yet a loan move to a second tier club has aligned in the most remarkable way... as that second tier club happened to win the Japanese Cup last year, as well as seeing their regular goalie injured recently, thus Michael Woud is playing in the Asian Champions League. What’s more, he kept a clean sheet against Melbourne City...
For context, the Wellington Phoenix lost 3-0 to that lot in the Australia Cup not so long ago. Ten of the eleven starters for MCY that day also played against Woud and Ventforet Kofu. Yet Jamie Maclaren and his mates didn’t have an answer. In fact it was Jamie Young who was the busier keeper - although Woud did make an important near post stop against a thumping effort from Tolgay Arslan midway through the first half. Other than that though you’d have to think that Kofu were a bit annoyed that they didn’t return to Japan with three points. They hit the post, the crossbar, and saw Young made a couple of super saves. Still, a 0-0 draw away from home goes alright to get their group stage underway. Highlights for the homies.
Interestingly, after Woud played the first couple of games that he was available for he’s not been getting starts in the league. Tsubasa Shibuya has had the last few of those instead – suggesting that Woud’s there to focus specifically on the ACL... no worries there. Oh yeah and he’s back in the All Whites too.
Up Next: Matchday two of the ACL sees Kofu play Buriram United of Thailand on Wednesday at 11pm (NZT)
Elijah Just - AC Horsens (Danish Division 1)
Oh now that’s slick. That right there is Eli Just bringing the streets of Porirua all the way to Denmark (he’s actually from Palmerston North originally but let’s assume he learned that jazz at Ole Academy with the bros).
Just’s goal was the third in a 3-1 win against Vendyssel and all of the ACH goals that day had a bit of magic about them. Anders Jacobsen with the flick turn in the box for the first on 24’. Then Jacobsen scored again on 42’, rounding the keeper after getting picked out by a nutmegging short pass – on a move that began with Just poking the ball away from an opponent in his own half. That was 2-0 at the break, then Just’s goal came in the 49th minute to really hammer home Horsen’s lead. Jacobsen was the dude who made the backheel pass to Just as well so give him an assist to go with his two goals.
This was goal number one for the season for Eli, who also has one assist but those numbers don’t do justice to a much bigger impact that he’s having this year. He gets rotated around a bit, and was subbed on the hour of this one, but the drop in divisions seems to have allowed him to settle at the club. The second season often brings that clarity anyway. Believe it or not this was his first goal for AC Horsens. He’s come close so many times but finally, and in real style, he got his name on the scoresheet. ACH went on to win the game 3-1 which rose them up to sixth in Division 1 having overcome a wee wobble to take 10 points from four matches. Full highlights here.
ACH weren’t able to follow that up with a win but they did keep their undefeated streak going with a goalless draw away against Hillerød. Can’t complain too much about that. It was a game of minimal chances although Just did play ninety minutes. He also nearly set up a goal early in the second half as he nudged a ball in behind whilst falling over but Jakob Ankersen couldn’t score with the keeper to beat. Just also had a shot from distance tipped wide with quarter of an hour left. And they had their goalie to thank for a couple of late 1v1 saves rushing out quickly. Highlights of that one over here.
For a few days there, Horsens were level with Kolding on points. KIF have struggled for consistency over the past month and it didn’t help that Dalton Wilkins got set off recently and was therefore suspended for their 2-1 loss to Fredericia. He shoulder-barged a bloke slightly off the ball, wasn’t much, but the referee didn’t like what he saw. The other guy made a huge meal of it. You can see the instance here.
Wilkins was back this week with 67 minutes as right wing-back in a 3-2 win away to Hobro that lifts Kolding up to fourth (and two points clear of ACH). Wilkins has been in good form all season and has been rewarded for that with a call up for the national team after James McGarry was ruled out with injury. That’s how it’s done.
Up Next: Horsens vs Aalborg at 6am on Saturday (NZT)
CJ Bott - Leicester City (English Super League)
The new WSL season is upon us and although we didn’t get any new compatriot signings through the door during the offseason, three of the four kiwi women who played last year remain at their same clubs with only Rebekah Stott moving back to Melbourne City to be the exception. CJ Bott even signed a new contract to extend her stay with LCFC. Unfortunately she was also the only one of the NZ trio who actually played on opening weekend... and even then she was only used off the bench.
Bott was a first choice starter for the Foxes last term through the good times and the bad. Remember this team lost nine games in a row to start the previous campaign before miraculously avoiding relegation with room to spare after a stunning turnaround under manager Willie Kirk. Some clever mid-season additions were part of that and they were able to retain a few into this season too... most notably German goalie Janina Leitzig (whose backup spot at Bayern Munich has now been filled by Erin Nayler). Alas, they also picked up Janice Cayman who is a Belgian midfielder/fullback with a Champions League winners medal on her mantelpiece thanks to her time with Lyon. It was Cayman who took CJB’s place in the starting line-up for the trip to promoted Bristol City.
It wasn’t going so well for Leicester City when a deflected Carrie Jones effort flew into the net against them after 33 minutes. But Aimee Palmer struck in stoppage time with a stunner from outside the area and then Jutta Rantala (49’) and Lena Petermann (52’) put Leicester in full control. CJ Bott joined the fun in the 65th minute after an injury to Shannon O’Brien. She went on at right back with Cayman moving into the midfield (where O’Brien had been) but it was a funky set-up they had going there, with Bott operating as an inverted fullback when her team were in possession – meaning she was getting onto the ball in positions more common of a deep midfielder. This is something that LCFC have toyed with in the past, to be fair.
It was Bott’s slick pass down the line that began the move that led to their fourth goal. Jutta Rantala pouncing after the initial cross had been diverted into her path. That was in the 83rd minute. But CJB’s most recognised contribution to this game was the penalty she conceded two minutes later, sliding in on Jones and clattering her to the ground. Looked like Bott realised the error of her ways and didn’t really follow-through on the challenge as you’d usually expect her to but by then it was too late. Amalie Thestrup scored the pen but Leicester City still won 4-2. Getting that first win on the board a lot quicker this time than last time.
It’s possible that Bott’s benching also had a bit to do with having gone away to Chile with the Football Ferns in the fortnight prior. There were quite a few of that squad who had been starting games who didn’t do so this past weekend. Indi Riley at PSV. Grace Neville and Paige Satchell at London City. Vic Esson at Rangers. Having a utility player take her spot lends a bit of credence to that theory. You know the phrase: we’ll see how it goes.
Anna Leat doesn’t usually start games at Aston Villa. She was the backup to Hannah Hampton last term (although there was a spell when they were neck and neck... but then an injury to Leat allowed HH to run away with it). Hampton has since moved to Chelsea but they’ve signed an even better goalie instead in the form of Dutch number one Daphne van Domselaar. It was DVD between the sticks as Villa lost 2-1 to Manchester United in game one. Leat watched from the bench. Really good game in which Villa got a red card on 74’ to Kirsty Hanson but then took the lead anyway through Rachel Daly... only to end up losing to a stoppage time goal from Rachel Williams.
Ria Percival used to start games for Spurs prior to her knee injury. She recovered in time to make a few cameos off the bench at the end of last term and then was very good for the Ferns during the World Cup. But since then she’s been managed through Tottenham’s preseason and was rested from the Ferns for that Chile tour. Come week one of the WSL she was an unused sub in a 2-1 defeat against reigning champions Chelsea. It seems to be the understanding that she’s still trying to get back to full capacity, having been willing to risk it for the World Cup but not so much for an expected defeat against the best team in England in the first week of the season. Anyway, here’s a yarn she did with the Spurs website about her career, her injury, and the World Cup.
Up Next: Leicester City vs Everton, Monday at 3am (NZT)
Chris Wood - Nottingham Forest (English Premier League)
To be clear, Woodsy made his 200th EPL appearance a few weeks back. This was just the presentation of that little keepsake for him. He’s now up to 203 games overall with 56 goals scored in those matches.
Appearance 202 was against Manchester City away. Forest were down 2-0 after 15 minutes though a red card for Rodri after 26 seconds of the second half did even up the game somewhat. Woodsy popped up for the last fifteen minutes but it never happened for him nor them. Appearance 203 was more fun as this time Forest got the red card (to Moussa Niakhate on 56’) and conceded soon afterwards. But Nico Dominguez equalised on 65’ and despite the disadvantage they still had a few chances to win it late on. One of those was for Chris Wood, subbed on with ten to go, in the sixth minute of stoppage time... except that despite a prodigious leap up and backwards he still couldn’t keep his header low enough to stay under the crossbar. Origi’s cross was a little too deep for him.
Nothing wrong with a 1-1 draw when you played most of the second half with ten though. Especially when Brentford had then scrambling on several occasions towards the end. Keeps the points tally ticking over: Nottm Forest have 8 points from 7 games and their three defeats have been against Arsenal, Manchester United, and Manchester City. Wood has come off the bench in all of those games, totalling 71 minutes (although that’s misleading because the extended stoppage time tallies this season means he’s probably had that much and more of time added on as well).
Up Next: Sunday at 5.30am away to Crystal Palace (NZT)
Joe Bell – Viking FK (Norwegian Eliteserien)
Two games to recap for VFK as they seek to take further steps towards to that possible league title. First of those was a bonkers 4-3 win against Sandefjord. Two goals inside the first twenty minutes had gotten them off to a flyer, with Bell’s intercept and magical threaded switch of play sparking the move for the second goal. But Sandefjord had pace up top and that’s always a dangerous thing. VFK twice got hit on the break (the second time seeing Bell stuck defending 1v3 from the half-way line) to be stuck at 2-2.
They regained the lead early in the second spell before Bell was one of three fellas subbed off on the hour with designs upon keeping the lead this time. Bell is a very good defensive midfielder but remember he hardly played for many months prior to rejoining this club in the home stretch of a title race so he’s yet to go ninety for them. Eventually a fourth goal flew in, although Sandefjord did score a late penalty to make it squeaky. Highlights here.
With that result, Viking had won 12 of their previous 13 league matches. They’d surged into first place. The last team to beat them (excluding a cup defeat on penalties to Raufoss) had been Molde way back in June... a 4-3 defeat in which Gianni Stensness scored for VFK but they had their right back sent off with ten to go and then conceded the winner in stoppage time. Well, they played Molde again this past weekend in what was likely their toughest remaining game. Win this and they’d take a massive stride in the title quest.
But they didn’t win. In fact they lost 4-0.
Bell wasn’t far off with a header from a corner (in the old days he used to take those corners, not attack them) early on at 0-0. That was a false impression though, as VFK soon conceded twice from overlaps down the right side of their defence to be 2-0 down after 21 minutes. They then lost their best centre-back to injury before Bell was the fella sacrificed at half-time as they sought to alter the course of this match. They did not alter the course of this match. Molde scored twice more and cruised to victory. Bodø/Glimt then won 2-0 against Strømsgodset to go first by a single point. The consolation for Viking is that B/G still has to play Molde plus they’re also battling away in the Europa Conference League at the same time. The title race is no longer in their own hands but Viking are absolutely still right in the mix with seven games to go.
Up Next: Odd vs Viking at 5am on Sunday (NZT)
Meikayla Moore – Glasgow City (Scottish Premier League)
More resurgent activities. Just in case you thought that the Flying Kiwis hype ups were exaggerating, Meikayla Moore got nominated for player of the month across the entire SWPL. Funny thing is she didn’t make the shortlist for her club’s player of the month only to instead outrank them all with a league nomination. That’s how it goes when you’re playing as well as Glasgow City have been lately... too many stars to single them out definitively. Kirsty Howat of Rangers won the award but like the actors always say it’s a blessing just to be nominated.
It was a cup weekend coming out of the international break and Glasgow City had a cruise away to St Johnstone, running up an 11-1 victory to advance to the quarters. Ninety minutes for Moore. No goals for her amongst the riot but she did wear the captain’s armband again. Keep them all knowing about it. Technically she did get an assist for the tenth goal with a long switch of play before the keeper spilled Cori Sullivan’s long shot over her shoulder and in. That was Sullivan’s fourth of the afternoon.
GC will find out who they play in the quarters later in the week, meanwhile this was the first of seven games in 21 days for the defending Scottish champs. Rangers also advanced to the next round though Vic Esson was on the bench for that one.
Up Next: Celtic vs Glasgow City, Friday at 7.30am (NZT)
Marko Stamenic - FK Crvena Zvezda (Serbian SuperLiga)
There wasn’t much in it but Red Star got back to winning ways with a 1-0 victory against Radnički Niš. It was an early goal from Mirko Ivanic that did it, a 13th minute rebound header amidst a bright start from Zvezda. They never managed a second one but Stamenic did have a couple chances: one being an off-balance volley into the side-netting, the other was a long ranger piledriver that was deflected around the post. The narrow lead meant some nervous moments towards the end but nah mate they got there. TSC only drew their game while Partizan won. That means after eight games it’s Partizan on 22 points, TSC on 20 points, and Crvena zvezda on 18 points.
Up Next: Must be time for some Champions League, with an absolute must-win against Young Boys at home on Thursday at 8am (NZT)
Katie Bowen - Inter Milan (Italian Serie A)
No signs of rest for Katie Bowen, she was straight back into the club grind after Ferns duty. But her second game didn’t go as well as the first as Internazionale were held to a 1-1 draw against Fiorentina. They had some good chances that they couldn’t convert in the first half then conceded seconds before half-time from what was admittedly a postage stamp of a finish from a really tough angle. It wasn’t until the 77th minute that they finally got level as Danish international Sofie Junge Pedersen buried one. Ran out of time to find a winner even though they were the more consistently threatening team. Frustrating to drop points so early against a team that isn’t Roma or Juventus... but Katie Bowen is already a first eleven centre-back for Inter. Let it sink in.
Up Next: 2am on Monday away to Sassuolo (NZT)
Matt Dibley-Dias - Fulham (English Premier League)
Bang. Get that fella in the All Whites... oh wait they did.
Up Next: 5am on Saturday 14 October, New Zealand vs DR Congo... that’s the one (NZT)
Max Crocombe - Burton Albion (English League One)
Good from Crocs... and good from his new All Whites teammate Tyler Bindon who was on the other side for Reading as they and Burton Albion drew 0-0. Bindon actually played right back in that game. Crocombe, naturally, played goalkeeper. A defensive player on each side so of course we’re stoked with the dual clean sheets.
On that note, Burton Albion have confirmed that Crocombe won’t miss a club game during the international window which is an awkward one because Burton have a game in between the two All Whites fixtures. That either means that game will be postponed or that he’ll miss one of the national team games... s’pose we just have to deal with such things during friendly windows.
Speaking of Tyler Bindon, that young man has been cooking...
Up Next: Tuesday at 8am, Burton vs Cambridge (NZT)
Matthew Garbett - NAC Breda (Dutch Eerste Divisie)
Matt Garbett is back in action, folks. After going off injured in the second match of the season he was stuck on the sidelines in recovery mode for the next six weeks accounting for five matches... of which NAC Breda lost four. But with half an hour to go away against Utrecht II he made his return, subbed into a game in which his team was trailing 1-0 and immediately playing a hand in an equaliser with a pass to an overlapping mate that led to a cross that led to an own goal.
He had a busy time of it. About a minute after the goal he’d almost set up another with a cross that got headed slightly off target. Lots of touches in that right midfield role that he played most often last season (they had flirted with him as a winger in preseason). And while we can’t give him all the credit, they were clearly the dominant team while he was out there... although not enough that they could find a winner. A 1-1 draw. At least they didn’t lose. They should be better now that Matt G is on the case again.
Still waiting for Ryan Thomas to reappear in the Eredivisie with PEC Zwolle. He was playing in preseason but got injured before the first game and then apparently picked up a lung infection that delayed his recovery. For the most recent game, he was listed as absent due to a lack of match fitness so he’s on the trail. Shan’t be long now. Zwolle have 7 points from 7 games without him. Lower mid-table. Perfectly fine for a freshly promoted team.
Up Next: NAC vs Groningen at 7am on Saturday (NZT)
Michael Boxall – Minnesota United (American Major League Soccer)
Lots to get through with the MLS and NWSL crew and none of it is pretty. Apart from Boxy making his 200th MLS regular season appearance, that was pretty cool. But at the sharp end of the season when playoff spots are on the line, all four of the NZers in the USA major leagues are in quite a bit of trouble. Here are their last few results...
Minnesota United (Michael Boxall): Lost 1-0 to Sporting KC, Lost 4-3 to LA Galaxy, Lost 2-1 to St Louis, Drew 1-1 with San Jose
With three games to go, the Loons now sit three points outside the play-in spots.
Charlotte FC (Bill Tuiloma): Drew 0-0 vs DC United, Drew 2-2 vs Philadelphia, Lost 3-0 to Cincinnati, Lost 2-1 to New England
With four games left, Charlotte are second to last in the Eastern Conference although that still only means four points shy of the play-ins with a game in hand. Tuiloma was out injured for more than a month but he has just returned to the bench for CFC, albeit only as an unused substitute so far.
Angel City FC (Ali Riley): Drew 2-2 vs Chicago, Lost 1-0 to Orlando
ACFC have two more games left and one of those is against second-placed Portland. They currently lie three points outside the playoffs with a worse goal difference than every team above them.
Racing Louisville (Abby Erceg): Lost 1-0 to Houston, Lost 1-0 to Chicago
RL are a point worse off than the Angels which means anything less than six points from their remaining two games would mean season over. With Erceg on board this season they actually have the second best defence in the competition having allowed exactly one goal per game. But they haven’t scored much more than that hence one goal per game has been enough to beat them lately,
Not looking like any of the quartet will be playing postseason football in the United States in the year 2023. But it’s not over yet. Miracles do occur in this beautiful game of ours.
Up Next: Minnesota United are away to LAFC on Thursday at 3.30pm (NZT)
Alex Greive - St Mirren (Scottish Premiership)
They were all ready to kickoff again, nobody even seemed to be considering the prospect of an offside... but we know how the VAR operates these days. Very rude against Greivesy who could have used that goal to bolster his case for a starting spot at the Buddies but as the tweet says they did still win 1-0 against Hearts and have since followed that with a 1-1 draw against Kilmarnock. Greive only played the last few minutes of that match, getting subbed on in the 83rd minute. Like Chris Wood at the moment, he always plays but he doesn’t always play much.
That’s not such a big deal when the team is performing around him. Greive is doing whatever’s asked of him for one of the last 18 remaining undefeated teams across Europe’s top ten ranked leagues. St Mirren have been doing excellent things grinding out result after result and they remain second on the ladder even after that latest draw. Four points behind Celtic but also three points ahead of currently managerless Rangers whom they face next. Only downside is that they did blow a 1-0 halftime lead to lose 4-2 to Hibernian in the League Cup quarters. Greive got on in the 64th minute with his team 2-1 down. They levelled it up again with quarter of an hour left but couldn’t maintain that. Ah well. It’ll be worth it when they’re playing in Europe next season (yeah yeah, far too soon for that kind of talk).
Aberdeen had been doing the exact opposite by failing to win any games and lingering way down the ladder. That’s gotten better lately with wins over Ross County and Rangers, whilst also beating Ross County again in the League Cup. But James McGarry suffered a hamstring injury in the first Ross County match and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks as a result. He’s been replaced by Dalton Wilkins in the upcoming All Whites squad. Should be back before the end of the year so a Europa Conference League group stage debut is still on the cards however it’ll be touch and go if he can be back by early November for the League Cup semi-final against that same Hibs team that knocked St Mirren out.
Up Next: St Mirren vs Rangers at midnight on Sunday.Monday (NZT)
Myer Bevan - Cavalry FC (Canadian Premier League)
No goals to add to the tally for Myer Bevan over the last fortnight. That’s could end up costing him that Golden Boot... although not necessarily. With one round of regular season football remaining Bevan is on 10 goals tied with two other fellas while Ollie Bassett (once of Team Wellington) is on 11. Bevan’s still in the race but he will have to rely on others to leave the door open for him – and there’s no guarantee he isn’t rested for that last match because, while he may not have been scoring, the team have still been winning.
Four wins in a row, combined with some other results, have secured the CPL Shield for Cavalry. That means they’ve won the round robin stage with room to spare... and will gain entry into the North American Champions League next year. Not bad, not bad. It also means that they’re going to be the favourites heading into the playoffs very soon. Right on. Let’s go.
Up Next: Cavalry vs Pacific, Sunday at 10am, last game of the regular season (NZT)
Corban Piper - Wexford (League of Ireland First Division)
Corban Piper continues to start games for Wexford, who continue to stride towards possible promotion. The last fortnight has provided a 2-1 win vs Bray, a 2-0 win vs Longford Town, and a 0-0 draw away against Waterford. There’s no hope of them getting the automatic spot as Galway United have already locked up the First Division title sitting 20 points clear of second place but they’re close to securing a playoff spot.
Waterford are that second-placed team so a draw away against them is top stuff, especially given that they’ll likely need to get through them in the playoffs if they are to be promoted. Wexford sit fourth with three games to go. Their next game is against the bottom team. A win there and they’ll be guaranteed a top five finish which means promotion semi-finals. Won’t be easy from there but they’ll have themselves in the hunt.
Up Next: Saturday at 7.45am away to Kerry (NZT)
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