This was the week that the Oceania Pro League players returned. Four weeks after Auckland FC lifted that championship (overshadowed by another one they lifted that same weekend), we have begun to see the various kiwi players involved in that competition dispersed back around the league
In 1982, the objective was simply to get to a first World Cup amidst an absolute odyssey in qualifying. In 2010, it was time to show that New Zealand belonged at that level by grinding out some results. In 2026, it’s not only about getting back to the World Cup, it’s not only about getting results…
It was another cup weekend this time around with the Chatham Cup and Kate Sheppard Cup both reaching their fourth rounds. That’s last 32 teams for the Chats, last 16 teams for the KSC
A few spare days after Haiti whupped the All Whites 4-0 (admittedly in an unserious warm-up game), their women’s team completed the set with a 2-1 win over the Football Ferns. Neither team had ever played against Haiti before... not sure we’ll ever want to play them again after how that all went.
A-League Premiership in year one. A-League Championship in year two. Even a cheeky Oceania Pro League title in there for good measure. It hasn’t taken long for Auckland FC to pack that trophy cabinet full
The loss against Haiti was rubbish from the All Whites but at least it was misleading rubbish. Most of the damage was done after Darren Bazeley began making wholesale changes, sharing the minutes around to get his whole squad moving.
The funky thing about this round is that the top four, separated by just two points, all played each other... and nothing’s any clearer now than it was a week ago. That included a wonderful game between Western Suburbs and Napier City Rovers which…
This All Whites team has been trying to turn potential into results throughout these last few years and they haven’t really done it yet. We’re long since past the stage where good performances carry much weight, these days the task is to score goals and win games.
It’s Ligue 2’s St-Étienne and it will remain Ligue 2’s St-Étienne after Les Verts were beaten 4-1 in the away leg of their promotion playoff against Nice. This following the 0-0 draw at home on Wednesday.
Here’s a rare weekend of footy that began on a Thursday. There were Chatham and Kate Sheppard Cup games across the country and since it was a long weekend the Northern League folks managed to squeeze in a full league round as well.
After guiding the Wellington Phoenix to the grand final with an extra-time second-leg win against Brisbane Roar at a sold out Jerry Collins Stadium in Porirua, Bev Priestman did a post-game interview where she was asked…
The last time we saw the Football Ferns was in World Cup qualifying a few weeks ago when they booked their ticket to Brazil 2027 with a 1-0 win over Papua New Guinea in the final with a performance that…
Darren Bazeley claimed a few weeks ago that Minnesota United were being careful with Michael Boxall’s adductor injury and that he’d have been playing a lot earlier if it were playoffs or whatever.
Well what do ya know, we’ve had another twist in the tale of the Men’s Central League after Reilly Marlow-Jones scored for Western Suburbs in a 1-0 win over Miramar Rangers.
Finn Surman thinks that blocking shots is nice? Never was a truer word spoken at a time when his 29 blocks this MLS season aren’t far off doubling the second-most prolific blocker in the division.
It was game of the round territory when Miramar Rangers met Napier City Rovers, two teams needing strong seasons to ensure their place in the revampted National League next year and two teams absolutely delivering on that promise
Most of Darren Bazeley’s World Cup squad has been a foregone conclusion for a long time. At least 15-20 players have been as good as guaranteed, fitness permitting, since the moment that the team confirmed their qualification
Go tell the children, there will be no Europa League title for Chris Wood. His penalty had given Nottingham Forest a 1-0 advantage after the first leg at home but they barely even turned up for the second leg.
The game of the round was Eastern Suburbs vs Fencibles United. Two teams in strong form, both with designs on the top four... possibly a lot higher. Kenya Brooke (28’) and Mihiro Kisu (35’) traded first half goals for Suburbs and Fencies respectively before the game swung in a five minute spell…
Imagine thinking a few months ago that Chris Wood would be in the middle of a European semi-final right now. Not only was he working his way back from knee surgery at the time but Nottingham Forest, largely in his absence, were tearing through managers at rapid pace…