Flying Kiwis – November 16
Ria Percival – Tottenham Hotspur (English Super League)
Tough stuff this Women’s Super League. No sooner has Ria Percival scored a remarkable (if lucky) late equaliser against Manchester United than she’s gotta prepare for an even tougher test as Arsenal popped by for a bit of North London Derby action. This an Arsenal team that had won six outta six to start the WSL season and who cruised to a 5-1 win over Spurs in the FA Cup semi-final back in September.
Beth Mead had Spurs worried after one minute as she got open at the back stick, helpfully a poor touch ruined the chance. Vivianne Miedema had an early shot deflected wide too. Warning signs... yet Spurs quickly settled into their game, which involved disciplined positioning, heavy tackling, quick outlet passing, and a heap of energy. You know, things that Ria Percival does fantastically. Percy was out there hustling that ball of Gunners midfielders with disdain.
Spurs were set up in a 4-4-2 shape, different to how they usually do it. Percival in a deeper midfield role alongside Maéva Clemaron although they did have speed on the wings in order to break. After that Mead moment, Spurs were able to largely blunt what the Gunners were doing. Keeping them playing in front of them. Mostly keeping Miedema out of the contest... mostly but not entirely because about 22 mins in she put the slides on Percival before shooting hard and low towards the bottom corner but the effort was saved by Tinja-Riikka Korpela.
Mead smashed one off the crossbar from a narrow angle free kick which would have been an outrageous goal. Katie McCabe also absolutely rattled the frame of the goal later in the half. Kim Little had a shot straight at the goalie but which needed two grasps with the fizz behind it. A few blocked attempts. Only one team was looking like scoring (Spurs didn’t even have a 1H shot) however the half-time whistle blew at 0-0 and the same pattern continued afterwards. Arsenal on top but Spurs hanging in there.
Frustration was clear for Arsenal as McCabe lashed out at Clemaron after a foul (Clemaron was booked), no surprises that Percival was instantly in the middle of it to test the temperatures. Mead had a close-range shot saved by Korpela. Ashleigh Neville made a superb sliding block on Miedema, who also missed a back post header. Yet Spurs were were getting more and more adventurous as the game went on and in the 65th minute, well, they scored. Big cross over to an unmarked Kit Graham. Her driven shot was saved but Rachel Williams followed it up and that shot was saved too but she followed that one up too and pretty much ran the ball over the line. Might as well have been a pick and go in rugby. Huge scenes. Somehow Ria Percival ended up over Williams’ shoulder in the celebrations...
Spurs hadn’t even had a shot on target up to that point while apparently this was the first deficit the Gunners have faced all WSL season. Arsenal responded immediately by bringing on Nikita Parris and Jordan Nobbs off the bench yet the next major chance fell to Spurs. Angela Addison with a shot that was parried away but Neville popped the follow-up over the bar with an open goal to aim for. It was coming back at her at pace but still, gotta bury those if you wanna beat the best.
The stink thing is it did eventually come back to bite them. Spurs actually did pretty well to continue to push forward and look for a second, not just sitting back and absorbing pressure, however it only takes one moment to score a goal and in the second minute of stoppage time a corner kick was nodded in by Vivianne Miedema. Too good, can’t stop her. Tottenham did still have to scramble to avoid conceding again but they got there for what were some weird vibes at full time. On the one hand, they broke Arsenal’s winning streak with an impressive battling 1-1 draw. On the other hand they were minutes away from victory. Keeps them third on the table though, this great run of form continuing for Spurs. Catch the highlights over here.
Up Next: Thursday at 8.30am away to Waford in the WSL Cup, then Monday 4am away to West Ham in the WSL (NZT)
CJ Bott - Vålerenga (Norwegian Toppserien)
That’s how you do it in the last game of the season, leave ‘em with happy memories. CJ Bott had begun the game on the bench against Klepp – a game in which Vålerenga had nothing to play for as they were long since destined for fourth place whereas Klepp were already relegated. So nothing but pride, and maybe new contracts, to play for as far as either team was concerned. Bott was one of two subs that VIF chucked on with the game all even at the half.
But then the easy going vibes ended as Klepp won – and converted – a penalty early in the second spell and Vålerenga had to enter comeback mode. Dejana Stefanović was the one who conceded the spottie and she swiftly set about making amends. As CJ Bott snuck past a couple defenders in the box, she made the run into the middle to meet the cross only for her header to be saved. But there was no saving the next one, Bott again with the chip into the area, far post this time, and Stefanović placed her header perfectly back across the goal. 66th minute of the match.
VIF were immediately back on the attack after scoring and two minutes later Stefanović had another. No CJ Bott involvement this time, just a ball dropping DS’s way in the box which she brushed home with force into the roof of the net. However Bott was well amongst it in the 82nd min. Aggressive run in behind from left-back to get on the end of a pass which was a little off target but she adjusted well and slid it by the goalie. 3-1 was the final score and Vålerenga finish on a high. No Champions League footy next year after an overall disappointing season but they did win the Norwegian Cup again. Bott played 13 matches out of 18 in the Toppserien, starting 10 of them (remember there was time missed around the Olympics). This was her first goal though of course there’ve been other assists.
Up Next: Footy Ferns duty, presumably
Vic Esson – Avaldsnes IL (Norwegian Toppserien)
CJ Bott’s team had nothing to play for but Vic Esson’s team had everything to play for. They were only goal difference out of the relegation zone and on a losing streak coming into their final match. If Lyn got a better result away to Rosenborg than Avaldsnes did away against Stabæk then it’d be second tier footy next year. No pressure or anything. Meanwhile as for Emma Rolston... her team had so little to play for that she’d already left the country. Gotta make use of those MIQ spots when they open up – 2 goals in 7 Toppserien apps for Rollo in 2021.
Five mins before the half, Avaldsnes took the lead. Hanna Dahl with the speccie from range which zoned in on the bottom corner, hell of a goal to potentially clinch your survival. Except it didn’t do that because Melissa Bjånesøy levelled the game up on the brink of HT, getting a touch on a corner kick that Esson was trying to punch away but couldn’t quite get through the crowd. So that sucked.
What was worse was when they conceded again. The pressure was on in that second half, Esson had already made one outrageous save from a free kick which she somehow tipped onto the crossbar and then onto the post at once without it crossing the line. But in the 75th minute there was no stopping Thea Loennecken’s strike. Did get a hand to it but too much power to keep it out. Stabæk hit the bar again after that, as did Avaldsnes. Theirs was a bob from range which almost fell for Selma Ørstavik Hernes on the rebound but the defence managed to cover her eventually. Meaning that Avaldsnes went down 2-1.
With ten minutes to go in the other game, that would have been enough to relegate them because Rosenborg and Lyn were tied 1-1. But then a couple of late goals ensured that Rosenborg finished the year with a win and an even later consolation for Lyn was not enough to keep them up. Avaldsnes end the season with six straight defeats (plus another in the cup) but they got away with it thanks to five goal-difference points. Phew. To be fair, Lyn also lost their last five in a row (after beating Avaldsnes 3-1) so not the brightest relegation battle you’ll ever see.
Up Next: Season’s done, off on holidays
Katie Rood - Southampton (English National League Southern Premier)
Get that W. A ripper strike from Lucia Kendall in the 24th minute of the game was the difference between the teams as Southampton beat Swindon Town 1-0 in the FA Cup. What’s more is that Katie Rood was named in the starting team for the first time in a Saints jersey. Injuries had been a pest there early on in her stint with the club but hopefully that’s all done with now.
Seeking to make up for lost time, Rood was the first to fire a shot in anger here as Southampton began the game looking full of confidence. There was also an effort tipped wide late in the half, plus a cut-back to Kendall early second which could have easily been an assist, and a shot lifted over the top later on. Plenty of K.Rood involvement. The Saints really should’ve won by more than they did but even if they left it a little frisky towards the end they still got what they came for. Full game for Roodie. What we wanna see.
Up Next: Midweek game against Crawley Wasps as the Saints seek to extend their perfect start to the league season, that’s on Thursday, then on Monday they take on the other perfect team in the National League South in Ipswich (NZT)
Meikayla Moore – Liverpool (English Championship)
Boring one here because Meikayla Moore was an unused sub for Liverpool again. Great result, a 2-0 win away to Durham, but no Mouse. She’s fallen down the pecking order under a new manager this season – Matt Beard, who signed Ria Percival for West Ham once upon a time – despite the Reds often playing with a back three. Still lots of cup appearances and she’s the first one up when there’s an injury or suspension but yeah not the most fun to be on the outer looking in. The Reds are top of the Championship after nine games. Promotion very much the aim here.
Up Next: Sunderland vs Liverpool, Sunday at 8am (NZT)
Nik Tzanev – AFC Wimbledon (English League One)
Ordinarily Nik Tzanev does not play these midweek EFL Trophy games. Many readers may not even know what the EFL Trophy is... it’s a cup comp (with an initial group stage) for teams below the Championship tier which also includes some Premier League academy teams. Nothing too major but a nice tournament to partake in if you’re at that level. Tzanev had sat out the first two group matches here as it was the best chance to give his backup some minutes - Nik’s been in that position as the backup wanting more footy many times in his career so easy to sympathise.
However it was different against Sutton United. Different because he used to play for them. During the 2019-20 season, Nik Tzanev left AFC Wimbledon on loan for Sutton United in search of some senior football and started 19 National League matches for the club. Plus a couple more in the EFL Trophy. That loan by most accounts was a major part in his development so when it came time to play away at Gander Green Lane again not only was he given an unusual start by the Dons... but they made him captain.
Sadly the poignancy ended there, as AFC Wimbledon lost 1-0 thanks to a Donovan Wilson goal soon after half-time. Dude got the spin on his defender with the ball coming in and then lashed it past a diving Tzanev. Nothing to be done about that… he did make some quality saves at other times but the Dons didn’t have it going in attack and deserved to lose the match. Then because Portsmouth scored in stoppage time of their game against Crystal Palace U21s it meant that Wimbledon went out on a goals scored tiebreaker... not quite going to plan there. After a tough run of results in League One action though that exit may not be the worst thing though.
Up Next: Away to Portsmouth, coincidentally, at 4am on Sunday (NZT)
Olivia Chance - Celtic FC (Scottish Premier League)
Coming off a disappointing defeat against Rangers in the league, Celtic had a great opportunity to bounce back with an SWPL Cup semi-final against Hibernian. Granted, Hibs are a very good team. Last time they played, back in September, Celtic needed a last-minute winner to get by them and, oh yeah, they just so happen to have won the last four SWPL Cup titles in a row.
Hibs scored early here as well. 12th minute and there was Rachael Boyle to finish off the assist from Alexa Coyle. Against the run of play but the Ghirls still trailed. Aussie striker Jacynta Galabadaarachchi (who goes by Jacynta, lol) had a decent chance. There was a header on target off an Olivia Chance corner. Thus at the halfway point Celtic were on track for elimination.
But a wee break and some hydration did the trick. Celtic came back out and immediately levelled up thanks to Jacynta. Fantastic curling low strike from outside the area, teed up by Olivia Chance who’d held the ball up as Celtic maintained their instant pressure on the Hibs goal. Technically speaking, that’s an assist. Chance then put one onto the roof of the net herself soon after, while several teammates had equally decent opportunities. Celtic very much on top now. No shocker then that with ten minutes remaining Charlie Wellings lashed one in off the underside of the bar, pouncing on the second-chance attempt, and Celtic are going to the SWPL Cup final after a 2-1 win. They’ll face Glasgow City there, who beat Spartans 3-0 in the other semi.
Up Next: Monday at 3am vs Aberdeen (NZT)
Dalton Wilkins - Kolding IF (Danish Division 2)
Get in. First goal for the loan club, Wilkins bagging the second goal in what ended up being a stunning 5-0 win over top-placed Næstved. Wilkins played 76 minutes, replaced with the score still at 3-0 after Magnus Hauser had been sent off for the visitors (67’). Christian Kudsk then scored a couple late goals to blow out the score some more – and to complete his hat-trick. Fantastic win for Kolding who had only scored 11 goals in 15 games previously. One of those completely-out-of-nowhere days. Noice goal from Wilky too.
Up Next: Away to Hillerød on Sunday at 2am (NZT)
Rosie White – OL Reign (American National Women’s Soccer League)
There ya go. Rosie wasn’t in the squad and hasn’t been since returning from illness – the OL Reign side is stacked, especially for attacking options, so there’s not a lot of scope there given how short on match fitness as she is. But White did feature once earlier on in the season so presumably there’d be a winners medal for her if the team went all the way. And they had a perfect start against Washington Spirit (who knocked Abby Erceg’s NC Courage out in extras a week ago). Eugenie Le Sommer tapping in after 139 seconds of the NWSL semi-final, the French star getting on the end of Megan Rapinoe’s lovely low cross to the far post.
But unfortunately that was as good as it got. Rapinoe dragged a great chance wide for OLR in the 10th min then soon afterwards Trinity Rodman dashed in behind onto a long ball to equalise, against the run of play. This Reign team may be stacked with international talent but for whatever reason they simply could not convert their possession into decent chances here. Le Sommer did dink one wide late in the half. Rapinoe slammed a shot wide early second.
Then in the 68th min came the sucker punch as Washington’s Ashley Sanchez scored a bit of an outrageous chipped finish from a narrow angle after a corner kick had bobbled around a bit. Not sure how she got that over and in but she did. Washington stocked up their defence and blocked shot after shot the rest of the way and they’ll face Chicago in the grand final next week after the 2-1 win. The last remaining kiwi in the 2021 NWSL has been eliminated.
Here are some NWSL x Aotearoa stats. All-time kiwi records in that competition as well as the 2021 numbers...
Up Next: Nada
Chris Wood - Burnley FC (English Premier League)
He won’t win it. Not up against Maxwel Cornet and the start he’s had to his Burnley career. But as the actors always say: it’s nice just to be nominated.
Up Next: All Whites vs The Gambia, Wednesday at 5am, baby! (NZT)
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