Flying Kiwis – November 9
Ria Percival – Tottenham Hotspur (English Super League)
In 51 previous WSL appearances, Ria Percival had not scored a goal. Sure she’d scored in League Cup action, she even scored for the Football Ferns not so long ago, but not in the Super League. Previously that’s because she’d played a lot as a fullback or defensive midfielder but for Spurs this season she’s been used in a more advanced role, often leading the press and getting into some great areas as a result. Taking set pieces too. Not so long ago she was up in the top ten for xG this term... without actually scoring a goal. Some bad misses, some unlucky ones. That’s how it goes sometimes.
Fast forward to the game against Manchester United on the weekend. Tottenham were trailing 1-0 thanks to a goal from Alessia Russo in first half stoppage time. Earlier Percival had been huge in keeping the scores even, deflecting a Leah Galton shot over the bar when it looked like a certain goal. That was a rare highlight in that first half. Spurs set up cautiously as ever and for long stretches really blunted United. If only they’d been able to hold on until the half then who knows... but then Russo scored a really superb solo effort beating a couple defenders as she slalomed into the area before blasting past the keeper on the angle.
Yet Spurs hung tight in the second half and a few good saves meant that they were never out of range. They weren’t creating a whole lot but they were only ever one moment away. One moment. It did feel like they were probably going to run out of time and have to settle for a battling one-goal defeat... but then a late free kick was awarded. Keeper went rushing forward. Percival gave it a good punt, intending a cross but mostly just gotta get it into the mixer to see what happens.
What happened was that nobody won the first contact and the ball bounced in the box and having been pumped from that far out that bounce had a fair bit of zip to it. Mary Earps dove but couldn’t reach it in goal for United. It nestled in the net. Percy looked almost embarrassed to have scored like that but what a goal, what a moment. Spurs snatching a 1-1 draw right at the death thanks to Ria Percival’s first ever WSL goal. Go on. Highlights here.
Also not sure about the centre-back role here but this is the third time outta six that Ria Percival has made the WSL Team of the Week (which is always hand-picked by one of a rotating cast of pundits).
Up Next: Only the small matter of the North London Derby against Arsenal at 2.30am on Sunday (NZT)
Sarpreet Singh - SSV Jahn Regensburg (German 2. Liga)
Nobody’s goals seem to be more boosted by varying camera angles than Sarpreet Singh’s goals. Every different angle you see unlocks new realms of goodness. This one came a little out of nothing against Hansa Rostock, blasting SSV Jahn into the lead. Off his right foot no less. A glorious effort.
Sadly they then went and bottled it, conceding just before the break and then a couple times after it. 1-0 up after 42 mins and 3-1 down after 52. They’d started well. Singh was heavily involved, chipping a ball to the back post which was headed across goal. Also scrapping one off a defender on the goal-line but his low square ball was blocked for a corner. So when he scored it felt like just rewards for Regensburg. Then they fell to pieces with some sloppy defending either side of the half and it doomed them to defeat. Charalambos Makridis tapped one in right at the end for a sliver of hope but it finished 3-2 to Hansa. Same team that knocked them out of the cup on penalties a week ago. Sarpreet Singh scored that day too. Ah well.
Up Next: Hamburger vs Regensburg, Sunday 21 November at 1.30am (NZT)
Abby Erceg – North Carolina Courage (American National Women’s Soccer League)
They may have only just scraped into the playoffs on the last day thanks to another result but no matter what they’ve been going through on and off the field this year nobody would’ve been keen to come up against the North Carolina Courage and their championship dynasty come knockout footy time.
Coincidentally, the team that got them there is the team that they played. Washington Spirit’s win over Houston Dash was the clincher for NCC – the Courage ended up having to delay their flight home in order to watch the conclusion of that match - next thing they were away to the Spirit with a chance to extend their dynasty. Albeit they’ve never done it from sixth place before. Also the Spirit beat them twice and they drew the other meeting during the regulars.
The Courage began on the front foot, looking to play positively after already having had to stare the demon of elimination in the face during the week. That meant midfielders pressing and fullbacks getting forward... which did leave Erceg and CB partner Kaliegh Kurtz a little exposed against the pace of Trinity Rodman but that was a risk they’d just have to take. A lot of this first half was about almost chances. Playoff urgency leading the crowd to gasp at any cross or attempted shot. But the Courage maybe had a few more of them and if it weren’t for a great diving stop from Aubrey Bledsoe then Amy Rodriguez would have had them in the lead on 32’ after Debinha slipped her in. That was the highlight of the half. Debinha was playing like she was possessed, Lynn Williams was dropping in and facilitating, for Washington there was trouble whenever Ashley Hatch or Rodman got involved but Erceg and her mates mostly dealt with that. All even at the half.
Frisky one straight outta the break as an Andi Sullivan shot was deflected wide for Washington, for a second there it looked like it might be destined for the net. Then Casey Murphy had to stretch out to save an effort from Kelly O’Hara after the corner. Rodman put a header wide under close attention from Erceg five mins later. The Courage responded with a huge chance of their own though, a Carson Pickett cross turned goalwards by Jess McDonald but well saved by Bledsoe again.
The Courage withstood that pressure from Washington early in the second half and were now forcing the issue themselves. Pickett’s crossing is unreal and she stood one up for Abby Erceg at the far post soon after, Bledsoe well positioned to gather the header on the bounce. Then on 61’ we had the closest call yet as Debinha fired first time off a low cross and struck the crossbar. Rodriguez had a shot on target saved from the rebound. Naturally it was then time for the Spirit to set up camp on attack for 5-10 mins, though Lynn Williams blasted a golden chance over the top after 83 mins. Exhausting stuff. Off to extra time we went.
By now fatigue was coming down hard, Williams and McDonald both unable to catch up with Debinha passes in behind. The Spirit were the likelier team in extras. NCC running low on energy, not as much depth on their bench to keep it going, and in the 113th minute a shot by Rodman was saved initially but Ashley Hatch pounced on the rebound for that long-awaited goal. That was the winner. The Courage just didn’t have anything left in the tank. A brave effort from them, Courageous you may even say, but the two-time defending champs bow out with a 1-0 defeat after extra time.
Up Next: Footy Ferns duty perhaps, now that the NWSL season’s over?
Joe Bell – Viking FK (Norwegian Eliteserien)
Viking got a healthy boost the day before their game as Rosenborg could only draw 2-2 away to Brann. More dropped points for Rosenborg really opening up that top three for VFK... especially if they could win against Mjøndalen. Having said that, Viking dropped points in a should-win game last week. No guarantees with any of it. Just gotta get right back into the grind and this game was grindy as hell.
It began slowly, Viking working out where they were gonna strike, but after about quarter of an hour they turned the heat up and it was chance after chance the rest of that half. After a Joe Bell/Zlatko Tripic short corner was flicked on, Yann-Erik de Lanlay had a great chance that was blocked on the line by the defender guarding the post. Veton Berisha got to lurking off crosses. Tripic fired one over. Gianni Stensness got his head on a Bell corner but the attempt was nowhere near the target. Kristoffer Lie Løkberg had a shot deflected wide and it remained at 0-0 as the whistle blew for half-time.
Stensness got on the end of a couple Bell corners looking for goals in consecutive games. His best effort was a low one in the aftermath of a corner that the Mjøndalen keeper was able to smother on the dive. At this stage the nerves were setting in. Viking dominating but not really creating the quality of chances that they should have done – although Berisha did force a good save with a shot from the left. Then those nerves were quickly abandoned for panic as with twenty to play as Mjøndalen were awarded a penalty. High elbow from Shayne Pattynama on an attacked running across him. Thankfully Christian Gauseth missed it.
Or more accurately Patrik Gunnarsson saved it, a brilliant stretching stop to his right that could prove essential in how Viking’s season ends. Still, that only preserved a draw. They wanted a win. Bell went close when he curled a free kick past the post. Then wouldn’t you know it in stoppage time a snapshot from Mai Traore caught an arm and it was Viking’s turn from the penalty spot. Veton Berisha did what he usually does and scored. A 93rd minute winner for VFK, 1-0 the final score. Wild scenes.
Molde beat Sandefjord 3-1 at home so the gap to second remains three points. But they’re four clear of Rosenborg with four games to go, third place well within Viking’s grasp when they come back from the international break. Gained a couple in the title race too because Bodo/Glimt drew with Haugesund, who VFK plays next.
Up Next: Sunday 21 November at 6am, Viking vs Haugesund (NZT)
Joel Stevens & Francis De Vries – IFK Värnamo (Swedish Superettan)
Last week Francis de Vries got the spotlight as he scored in the win that booked IFK Värnamo promotion to the top flight in Sweden. Joel Stevens was an unused sub in that one but this week he got his own spotlight as he came off the bench to score the third goal in a 3-1 win over Helsingborg which clinched the Superettan league title. Even whipped out the ol’ backflip celebration.
Second goal of the campaign for Stevens. Get in. Of course you can’t keep Francis de Vries down at the moment so you won’t be stunned to hear that FDV had already set up the second goal which put IFKV into the lead (having been trailing 1-0 at the half). Top notch cross there and Robin Dzabic was able to put the finishing touch on it. Another quality performance, on the back of a killer second half, now everybody gets a winners’ medal. Just an outstanding season from Värnamo.
Up Next: Brage vs Värnamo, Sunday 20 Nov at 1am (NZT)
Ryan De Vries – Sligo Rovers (League of Ireland Premier Division)
He certainly hit that one. Picking up the ball on the press and then going kaboom. Third goal of the season for the kiwi winger and it got the Bit ‘O Red off to a great start against St Patrick's Athletic, already one-up after 11 minutes against the team ranked directly above them on the ladder. They’re almost certainly not gonna catch St Pat’s in the standings but a Johnny Kenny goal before the break meant that Sligo Rovers were in control pretty much the whole way in this game at least. Adam McDonnell then scored a free kick right at the end and it finished 3-0 to Sligo Rovers.
A huge result not only for the nature of the victory but also because the win, with only two more fixtures left, confirms Sligo Rovers will play European football for a second straight season. They kinda wet the bed when they got there at the start of this season losing to FH Hafnarfjordur (Iceland) in the first qualifying round so the chance to make amends next time is reason for gratitude.
Up Next: Saturday at 8.45am away to Derry City (NZT)
Chris Wood - Burnley FC (English Premier League)
Chelsea have been in hot form lately sitting atop the table and scoring a bundle of goals. Generally speaking, Burnley tend to rather suck in games against free-scoring opponents (as do most teams tbf)... and even more to the point these are the kinds of games where Chris Wood spends most of it battling away for scraps all on his lonesome. He’s never scored against Chelsea – the only other teams he’s played more than three times without ever scoring against in the Premier League are Manchester City and Liverpool.
So you knew what to expect here. The Blues came out in a hurry and Callum Hudson-Odoi had Nick Pope pulling off highlight reel saves from the outset while Andreas Christensen headed just wide. Ross Barkley curled one off target. Shots were coming hard and fast with the Clarets hoping merely to keep things close and condensed. Another Nick Pope save avoided an own goal for Charlie Taylor... but in the 33rd min a beauty of a Reece James cross was guided in off the head of Kai Havertz. No stopping that one.
Chris Wood was either an extra defensive body or a spectator for most of this one, nobody touched the ball fewer times in the first half and he missed more passes than he made. Did win a few aerial challenges which was about all he was able to do, no shots or key passes or anything funky like that. Chelsea had 70% of possession in this match and five times as many shots. It was probably merciful that Wood was replaced on the hour mark. Not quite the way he’d have wanted a milestone appearance to go but here’s to the next 400...
Yet all the while Chelsea couldn’t find a second goal. Thiago Silva nudged one off the post. Havertz had a close range one lifted over the bar via an unnoticed deflection. Pope got a big right boot on a Hudson-Odoi shot that shoulda been more clinical. Barkley blasted a great look into the crowd. All of which left the game in the balance for the hilarious moment near the end when Matej Vydra was able to slip in an equaliser via Jay Rodriguez’s cushioned header off Ash Westwood’s slick cross. 79th minute equaliser. Thomas Tuchel reckoned that Chelsea would’ve won that game 99 times out of 100 but they didn’t, Burnley with a cheeky point from a 1-1 draw.
Up Next: International duty, then it’s Burnley vs Crystal Palace on Sunday 21 Nov at 4am (NZT)
Meikayla Moore – Liverpool (English Championship)
Mouse was an unused sub in Liverpool’s first game out of the international break, she’s been in and out this season but 180 mins for the Footy Ferns may have made that decision for her. Liverpool won 2-0 vs Lewes by the way. However a little midweek WSL Cup stuff allowed a much better opportunity for her. Ninety minutes in the back three in a rotated team as Liverpool played away to Sheffield United.
Annoyingly the game wasn’t streamed by the home team so no video to show. Seems like it wasn’t a game with too much worth filming to be fair, Liverpool dominated possession but decent chances were scarce for both teams. Moore and company restricted Sheffield United to a single shot on target all match.
Defensively they were sharp as but goals of their own... a little blunter. Moore had one attempt trying to squeeze the ball over the line but the keeper saved it. There was a decent selection of half-chances for the attacking players to speak of too. But the Blades were happy with a draw and eventually that’s what Liverpool had to settle for too.
Having said that, when there are draws in the WSL Cup they then have a penalty shootout for a bonus point and not only did Liverpool absolutely ace that task scoring all five of their spotties but Meikayla Moore took and scored the first of them. Sheffield United meanwhile hit the post with one and the Reds got the bonus point after the initial 0-0 draw. Both WSL Cup games so far have been draws with a shootout bonus point.
It was then back to the bench for the Championship match against Blackburn Rovers, though she did get summoned with a dozen minutes left and the game still scoreless. Liverpool had been bossing things, they had the majority of the chances, but still they hadn’t found a breakthrough. Moore came on at right back and as it happens she’s a bit of a danger on the end of a cross so she was able to hang forward and get amongst all that, flicking a header just wide before later picking up the ball out wide and gassing past a marker to put a low ball in towards Leanne Kiernan.
Kiernan’s touch squeezed under the goalie and was half hacked off the line and maybe crossed the line and hit the post and maybe crossed the line again before it was cleared. Nothing given by the officials. Another Moore cross was diverted off target by Ashley Hodson. So close so often but in the end they had to settle for a 0-0 draw. Durham lost though so they did gain a point on first place – with a top of the table clash coming up next week.
Up Next: Away to Durham on Monday at 1am (NZT)
Callum McCowatt, Elijah Just & Nando Pijnaker - FC Helsingør (Danish Division 1)
No Nando again this week. Apart from hanging with the bros his loan to FCH has barely been any better for senior footy than his Rio Ave stuff had been, but Callum McCowatt and Elijah Just both started as Helsingør had themselves yet another difficult match against one of their fellow top four sides. It’s like musical chairs up there but FCH keep sticking around. FC Fredericia were the opponents and it took them less than three minutes to take the lead through Kristian Kirkegaard.
But that’s not how this Helsingør team operates. That goal proved to be an anomaly as they scored twice in the five minutes before the half (Sebastian Czajkowski 41’ & Frederik Juul Christensen 44’) and then once soon after (Tonni Adamsen 50’) before Niklas Mouritsen pumped in a low rocket from left back on 61’ to be sure of things. Not only that by McCowatt each picked up assists along the way, nothing fancy – Just’s was literally a pass to feet before Adamsen’s shot went in via a large deflection – but it all tallies up over the course of a season. 4 goals and 4 assists for McCowatt this season. 5 goals and 3 assists for Eli Just. FCH still chilling at the top of the ladder after 15 matches.
Up Next: Fremad Amager vs FCH on Sunday 21 November at 12.45am (NZT)
Marko Stamenic - HB Køge (Danish Division 1)
They got smoked 4-1 by Vendsyssel but Marko Stamenic did grab a consolation goal right at the end so that was nice. His first for the club, his first in senior professional footy. Played the full game too which is a great sign after he was out of the line-up last time following a head knock.
Up Next: HB Køge vs Esbjerg, Saturday 20 Nov at 7am (NZT)
Olivia Chance - Celtic FC (Scottish Premier League)
That’s bad news. That’s not good at all. A 1-0 defeat to Rangers is a big blow in Celtic’s title hopes, their first loss of the league season but they’d already dropped points in a couple other draws and now fall five points back on Rangers with Glasgow City in between them.
Celtic had been sharp in the midweek dropping Hearts 3-0 with all the goals coming in the first half. Liv Chance helped instigate the move for the first goal and then got subbed off at the break with the weekend’s game in mind, one of two HT changes. But in that weekend game a super strike from Jane Ross gave Rangers the lead after only three minutes and try as they might the Hoops could not respond.
They’d not lost to Rangers since Rangers became proper Rangers a couple years back, being integrated into the wider club, which was five wins on the trot. But they’d only just got by them in the SWPL Cup 1-0 a few games back. Honestly, Rangers were more than good value for the win here. They should have probably won by more, only a few quality saves ensuring they didn’t. Bad day at the office.
Up Next: Monday at 5.30am, SWPL Cup semi-final vs Hibernian (NZT)
Bill Tuiloma – Portland Timbers (American Major League Soccer)
The Timbers still had to squeeze two games into the final week of the regular season but fate or fortune intervened before they’d even kicked off one of them as the 1-1 draw between LAFC and Vancouver booked their playoff ticket with room to spare. That took the pressure off their trip to Real Salt Lake the following day. And without pressure... they had a bit of fun.
Tuiloma started at CB and was deep in it early on, 15th min and there he was hacking a shot off the line to keep things even. Two minutes later that action looked even more crucial as Seb Blanco lurked at the far post off a Portland corner to nod the Timbers into the lead. That was probably against the run of play but Jaroslaw Niezgoda headed off the post in the 25th with Portland continually finding space out wide to cross/counter. Justen Glad did respond with a header off the bar for RSL as the game swung back and forth, Yimmi Chara also curling a short-angle free kick off the crossbar for Portland, but on 38’ came a decisive blow. Seb Blanco wiggling past his marker and hitting a low cross on the six yard box which was turned in by a defender for an own goal.
Then, in the last minute of the half, Blanco won the ball in his own half and sparked a counter which ended with a wall pass to Niezgoda and a tap in for 3-0 at the half. From there it was game management mode. Allow the home team to have most of the ball but just don’t break. Claudio Bravo did confuse himself for his namesake in the 86th min as he blocked a headed shot with his hand and Albert Rusnak was able to score from the spot but too little too late by that point and the Timbers won 3-1. A guaranteed playoff game becoming a guaranteed home playoff game. Full game and a pretty impressive performance from Tuiloma – who did get a yellow card for a tactical foul stopping a counter in the last ten mins.
Also funny story about that game... Portland coach Gio Savarese had to watch from the stands because he was suspended for yellow card accumulation. The coach was suspended for yellows. That’s a hard case right there.
Good form and impressive unit that he may be however, Bill Tuiloma was left out of the squad for the regular season closer. Initially it seemed like a matter of resting him ahead of the international break, trying to keep him as fresh as possible for when he travels... but then the All Whites announced that he’d been withdrawn from the squad with injury. He was fine the other day but remember he got injured for the All Whites last window and the playoffs are immediately after that trip. Smells like shenanigans... but fair enough given it’s a friendly game for Aotearoa compared to the culmination of the entire season for Portland. The Timbers won that last game 3-0 by the way, goals from Cristian Paredes (17’), Jaro Niezgoda (45’), and Seb Blanco (53’) ensured they finished fourth in the West.
Up Next: Hold up, let’s do Boxy first...
Michael Boxall – Minnesota United (American Major League Soccer)
Decision day. Last round of the regular season. Minnesota United away to Los Angeles Galaxy with both teams right on the edge of the playoffs, knowing that a win and they’d be in but defeat, or even a draw depending on other results, could be fatal to their chances. All the Western Conference games kicked off at the same time so there’d be a lot of screen-glancing on each bench throughout.
You could tell it was a game heavy on the implications because it took a mere two minutes before Boxy’s CB partner Bakaye Dibassy got booked for getting a little exuberant in the challenge. Not a lot else going on early doors though – Minny scrambling to keep the Galaxy from attacking at pace and otherwise the two sides cancelled each other out. Adrien Hunou did put the ball in the net for the Loons on 22’ with a mint finish running in behind but he was flagged offside. Except he didn’t agree with the call, wagging his finger all over the show, he really didn’t agree... and eventually the VAR suggested it may be worth a look. The ref rushed over and the goal was given. 1-0 to Minnesota United. Exactly what they needed.
As per, when Manny Reynoso was involved (he had a cheeky backheel that opened things up for the goal earlier in the move), the Loons were a danger. Granted Tyler Miller had to be at his best to turn a Kévin Cabral thunder volley wide of his post on 32’. Enormous save there because two minutes later Michael Boxall tried for his own acrobatic volley (mixed with some Steven Adams low post moves) at corner kick time and Robin Lod swooped in to finish in close. 2-0 to the Loons and that’s a Boxy assist.
Unfortunately they conceded in stoppage time and only Miller kept it from being 2-2 before they could get back into the sheds and reassess things. Galaxy were playing for their season too, remember. The reassessing chats didn’t work either because LAG came out on top second half and a sharp finish from Chicharito on 51’ had things all even again. Results elsewhere meant that at this stage a draw was enough for Minnesota but all room for comfort was slipping away.
This match was nuts. Minnesota steadied things and retook the lead through an own goal on 62’... but the Galaxy responded in the 75th as Chicharito volleyed his second attempt under Miller’s reach for 3-3. Still scores elsewhere held in both these teams’ favour. LAFC trailled most of the way to Colorado in what ended as a 5-2 defeat, while Sporting KC had held Real Salt Lake scoreless to that point. An RSL goal would change everything but as it stood, counting down into the last ten minutes, Minnesota were where they needed to be and were busy trying to take the steam out of things. In doing so won they a penalty for handball... only Franco Frangapane hit the post so easy come, easy go.
Minny immediately subbed on a defender for a forward in response to the penalty miss, meanwhile Real Salt Lake scored a dramatic late winner in that game which caused some emotional carnage because it meant that the loser of this one was out. Minnesota with six mins of stoppage time to survive knowing an LA Galaxy goal would eliminate them. Cue some utterly nerve-shattering stuff. Miller with a couple more low saves to make, no margin for error. Time ticking down. Minnesota with a flat back five now. Time wasting substitution. Pump it long. And finally they got there, 3-3 the final score. Minnesota United are back in the playoffs.
And who are they playing when they get there? The Portland Timbers of course, the two kiwis in the MLS playoffs obviously were gonna have to play each other first round... at least there’s one guaranteed in the next round now.
Up Next: Portland vs Minnesota, MLS Playoffs, TBD
Elliot Collier – Chicago Fire (American Major League Soccer)
That sounds a bit messy. The Fire have nothing to play for having long been out of the playoff mix but whether the chat was accurate or not at the time, seems like the cull could have been handled better there.
The reason this was especially interesting is Elliot Collier, who had only played 33 mins in the previous two months, was amongst those with decisions to be made on their future – the team had an option on his contract for 2022. Meaning either he was a part of the alleged walkout or if he wasn’t then maybe he’d actually get to play a bit on decision day with all them others missing. Home to Columbus Crew, would it happen?
Well, he was on the bench. There were actually only three changes from the previous game so no mass walkout in the end. Collier watched the whole thing as a substitute, Chicago running out a few younger dudes instead of him, and thus his season ended with 327 minutes played across 17 matches (3 starts) with 0 goals and 0 assists and only 7 total shots. Just didn’t get the opportunities. One day later it was confirmed that his option had been declined.
Up Next: All Whites vs The Gambia, baby
James Musa & Noah Billingsley – Phoenix Rising (American USL Championship)
First of all, Noah Billingsley is here in name only. Dunno what the deal is but he’s barely played for Phoenix Rising all season since joining on loan from Minnesota United. The Rising are not a team that rotates too much as Deklan Wynne quickly found out. Maybe not the best place for Billingsley’s development as he only made 8 appearances totalling 130 minutes. He was nowhere to be seen for the start of the playoffs.
James Musa was. The Moose has been a key player all season at CB as Phoenix rolled to a fantastic regular season record with 67 points from 32 games good for the top seed in their conference by a 15-point margin and the second best tally in the entire USL Championship. But the karmic punishment of treating a couple kiwi fullbacks like they did came back to bite ‘em in the playoffs, sad for James Musa.
Fell behind early but hit back straight away, were leading 2-1 with twenty to go but conceded. Took the lead just before the split in extra time only to concede from the penalty spot ten mins later. Then they lost of spot kicks. 3-3 the final score with a 4-3 defeat on penalties (Musa didn’t take one). Wild game... and the end of the kiwi contingent in the USL for this year. All that goodness all season and then out at the first hurdle of the knockouts, damn.
Defender of the Year at the club awards for The Moose though...
Up Next: Not as much as they’d hoped
Vic Esson – Avaldsnes IL (Norwegian Toppserien)
This was supposed to be a Flying Kiwis derby as Avaldsnes hosted Arna-Bjørnar... but Emma Rolston wasn’t in the squad for the latter, gotta assume a little injury or something (if it’s worse we’ll find out when the Footy Ferns squad to face South Korea is named). They managed to get by without her. AB won 3-1, taking the lead on 8’ and being up three by 48’. Avaldsnes did pull one back on the hour but didn’t have the gas for a major comeback.
The good news is that Arna-Bjørnar are officially safe with a game to go, should Rollo be back next year then it’s further top flight footy for her. The bad news is that Vic Esson – who could do nothing about any of the three goals conceded here – and Avaldsnes are only goal difference out of the relegation zone with a difficult game against Stabæk in the final round. Stabæk being the team that just beat CJ Bott’s Välerenga 1-0 this week, Bott getting the last quarter of an hour or so off the bench. In fairness Välerenga’s season may as well have ended with the cup final last week as they cannot finish any higher or lower than fourth but still. Not really where Avaldsnes want to be. Lyn are away to Rosenborg so maybe they’ll both lose; it’s a 5 GD split so unlikely that Avaldsnes go down if they match results with Lyn.
Up Next: Sunday at 1am, Stabæk vs Avaldsnes (NZT)
Moses Dyer – Valour FC (Canadian Premier League)
Outrageous scenes as Valour, on the very brink, came from 3-0 down with quarter of an hour to go to draw 3-3 with Edmonton. Moses Dyer scored two and set up the third all in that short space of time. Heroic stuff.
The only problem was they needed four because nothing short of a win would get them into a playoff position. And as much as they threw the kitchen sink at one last dramatic goal it wasn’t forthcoming and they therefore finish fifth on the ladder. Still would have needed York United not to win their last game but that doesn’t matter now. Moses Dyer capped off a great end to the season with that game – six goals in his last nine games. Nine overall for the year.
Up Next: No playoffs, stink buzz
Nik Tzanev – AFC Wimbledon (English League One)
Tends to be preferable when you don’t lose to a non-league opponent in the first round of the FA Cup so shout out to Nik Tzanev on the clean sheet and Ollie Palmer with the lone goal late in the first half. Whatever it takes. It was a terrible game by most accounts.
Elsewhere Tommy Smith had a rest as Colchester beat Sudbury 4-0 away, Max Crocombe was in goal for Grimsby Town as they went down 1-0 away to Kidderminster, while Matt Gould also got the start for Altrincham and they earned a replay away at Gateshead thanks to a 95th minute equaliser in a 2-2 draw. The magic of the cup!
Up Next: Away to Sutton Utd at 8.45am tomorrow in teh EFL Trophy but Tzanev probs won’t play that one (NZT)
Ryan Thomas – PSV Eindhoven (Dutch Eredivisie)
Haven’t heard from Ryan Thomas for a couple weeks, aye? That’s because he’s been out with a knee injury, another frustrating niggle for him that has kept Thommo out of the last few games. Add in an unused sub gig when they played Monaco in the Europa League in late October and he hasn’t actually played since he scored against Sparta Rotterdam a month ago. In fact it has been reported that he’ll need minor surgery on that fella which will keep him out until the winter break. Hopefully if that is the case it does something to help with the recurring complaints he seems to be having.
PSV had an absolute shocker without him a few games back when they travelled to face Ajax in a huge title race contest and were smoked 5-0. Granted they’ve bounced back since then, beating Twente 5-2, getting a draw away to Monaco in the Europa League, and then beating Fortuna Sittard 4-1 this weekend. And with Ajax suffering back to back draws since beating PSV, the Eindhoven team has somehow gained a point on them since kickoff of that match. Both teams even on 27 points after 12 games. PSV do have some work to do in their last two Europa League games though, sitting third and probably needing to beat Real Sociedad away on matchday six. They’ll be doing all that without Ryan Thomas by the sounds of it.
Up Next: PSV vs Vitesse on Sunday at 4.30am... PSV play right up until Christmas Eve and then there’s three weeks off for that winter break (NZT)
Ali Riley - Orlando Pride (American National Women’s Soccer League)
Up Next: Podcast subscriptions
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