Flying Kiwis – January 11
Chris Wood - Burnley FC (English Premier League)
The first 45 mins against Huddersfield in the FA Cup went alright for Burnley. Despite having their depth hampered by covid absences – which included their manager Sean Dyche – they were still able to select a strong starting team including Mr CG Wood up front. After a slow start they figured out what they were doing midway through the half and began getting that ball into the box and asking the Championship club to do some proper defending. Their keeper did well to save one Jay Rodriguez attempt but soon after Jay Rod dashed in on another, a curling long ball lifted over the top by Ashley Westwood, and nudged it home with his head. 1-0 to Burnley after 28 minutes.
The way it panned out, Wood had more of a facilitator role in this game. Flicking balls on towards Rodriguez who was getting all the shots. Some nice stuff in there yet still a bit annoying when he clearly needs a goal for his confidence. Wood’s most notable moment was probably the collision he had with the Huddersfield keeper soon-ish after the goal, trying to get onto a Phil Bardsley direct pass forward which Ryan Schofield rushed out to win in the knick of time but collided into the shoulder of Chris Wood and appeared to bust his own shoulder in doing so. Chris Wood doing Steven Adams things. Unfortunately Schofield had to go off injured after that (whereas The Woodsman was unharmed) with 19 year old Australian keeper Nicholas Bilokapic on for his debut instead.
Huddersfield hit the post before the half was out, a header from a free kick with GK Nick Pope caught between coming out or staying put for the cross. Lucky break for the Clarets who thus went into the break up 1-0 and feeling alright against a lower division opposition. But the vibes were far from immaculate as they returned for the second half with Chris Wood replaced by Jack Cork. The Woodsman had appeared to pull up just slightly after trying to get onto a Rodriguez through ball late in the half. A groin complaint was the official word from the stand-in gaffer afterwards...
Ian Woan, Burnley assistant coach: “[Wood] felt his groin, it was touch and go. In the current climate we can’t be gambling too much with our centre forwards, Vyds is down with Covid and carrying with a slight hernia. Barnes is a few weeks away, Cornet away, so we have to be really cautious with our centre forwards.”
Not ideal. That definitely sounds more precautionary than anything, chances are he’d have played on were it a Premier League game, but still not what we wanna see. Nor was the rest of this game. Burnley looked sluggish and perhaps a bit complacent in the second stanza, failing to test the debutant keeper. Instead they found themselves hanging on to that slight lead and in the 74th minute Josh Koroma tapped in at the far post to level things up. Huddersfield finally getting their reward after Matt Lowton coughed the ball up on halfway for the counter and Bardsley didn’t pick up Koroma at the back stick. Then Matt Pearson scored the winner from a corner kick with four mins left. Burnley tumble out of the FA Cup with a 2-1 defeat. This season keeps on getting darker.
But maybe, just maybe, Chris Wood won’t be around for too much more of it. That’s in reference to this fresh rumour that he’s wanted by Newcastle United. Would definitely be a strange one for Burnley to sell a starting eleven player to basically their biggest threat in the relegation battle but for a club like Burnley it could be a scenario of having to sell in order to buy which, when dealing with a club worth US$430billion, might even allow them to buy two or three players in return.
The word from Burnley reporters is that there’s no intention of selling and only a major money offer would even tempt them. However that’s what you would say if you’re trying to draw a major money offer, right? There has been chat of a potential release clause though that’s unconfirmed. We’ll see how this plays out. There’s a fair bit in our Monday’s Substack email about this rumour, looking at the various angles involved, and if there’s progress then you’ll read plenty more about it in Friday’s edition. For the rest of the month there’ll be a Flying Kiwis Transfer Tracker segment in them bad boys.
Up Next: Burnley vs Leicester City on Sunday at 4am... though Leicester did just have to postpone their midweek game due to covid/AFCON/injuries so we’ll see if that one goes ahead or not (NZT)
Michael Woud – Kyoto Sanga (Japanese J-League)
Michael Woud joined Almere City on loan from Dutch top flight club Willem II at the start of last season. He was looking for regular senior footy after only a few sparse Eredivisie games to his name and he got exactly that, playing great for an in-form Almere City team – so well that midway through the season he signed on permanent terms on a three and a half year contract. One year after that he’s been sold to Kyoto Sanga.
That first season with Almere City went wonky down the stretch. The club were looking a dead cert for promotion only to get the yips at the worst possible time and after missing out on the automatic rise they were immediately smashed in the playoffs. This season they’ve been an absolute mess. Carrying on where they left off and sitting in the relegation zone at the winter break.
Michael Woud has been out with a shoulder injury for the last few weeks but prior to that it’s fair to say that his personal form was mirroring the team’s. Last season he kept 14 clean sheets in 38 games. This season he has one from 12. Last season he conceded 1.26 goals per ninety mins. This season he’s conceded 2.08 G/90m. His save rate has dropped. He’s made a couple clanger mistakes. The club is apparently sinking like the Titanic. Not a bad time for a change of scenery, aye?
Helpfully, Michael Woud had a great game against Japan at the Olympics six months ago and folks were paying attention. Kyoto Sanga were promoted to the J-League recently and are stocking up for the top flight, they wanted a goalkeeper, they saw what Michael Woud was capable of over 120 minutes and a penalty shootout at the Tokyo Games. Contact was made. Almere City were open to a transfer. Negotiations progressed nicely. The transfer was confirmed soon after the January window opened.
Michael Woud to Kyoto Sanga: “Purple supporters, my name is Michael Wood. I'm very honoured to sign Kyoto Sanga FC. I can't wait to join the team and play in front of the supporters at the beautiful stadium. I’m ready!!”
Almere City Technical Director Teun Jacobs: “For Michael Woud, this transfer is a dream come true. We wish him every success in Japan.”
Dream come true might be a phrase that gathered some flowers in the translation but it’s definitely a good deal. Going by the AFC coefficients the J-League is the third ranked competition in Asia but it’s got a very strong claim to the number one spot in the much-less-cooked Impartial Judgement rankings. Ryan De Vries played a fair bit in the second tier in Japan but otherwise it’s Michael Fitzgerald who has flown the flag in Japan over the last decade. 87 J-League appearances, mostly for Albirex Niigata and though he did have an injury-riddled stint with Kawasaki Frontale during which time the club won two league titles. Fitzgerald is still there by the way, the 33 year old in good fitness again back at Albirex Niigata playing pretty much every game albeit they’re down in the J2-League these days.
And of course Wynton Rufer had a couple of goal-filled seasons with JEF United in the mid-90s, scoring 38 goals in 54 matches. Plus Michael McGlinchey played 6 games for Vegalta Sendai in 2014 on loan from Central Coast while Graham Arnold was there. But then Arnold was sacked and McGlinchey’s loan was cut short two months later and McGlinchey returned to sign with the Wellington Phoenix.
No word on a transfer fee. Not even a hint of a word. But there presumably must have been one given that Woud was under contract for a further two and a half years with Almere City. Probably wouldn’t have been anything huge though. Woud has signed a three year contract and the new J-League season begins in February.
Up Next: Kyoto Sanga vs Urawa Reds, 20 February TBD (NZT)
Meikayla Moore – Liverpool (English Championship)
It was a fantastic start to 2022 for Liverpool as they went out and smoked Blackburn Rovers 6-0 away from home. Niamh Fahey gave them a half-time lead before Leanne Kiernan scored a rapid-fire second-half hatty (goals in the 52’, 55’ & 58’ mins) and Rachel Furness added an additional pair. Nice and emphatic as the Reds continue their unbeaten streak and stay five points clear at the top of the Championship table.
But Meikayla Moore didn’t play. Another one of those unused substitute experiences for her. She’s the next one up for that Liverpool defence which is a bit of a pain but at the same time it’s on course to take her to the WSL so can’t complain too much. She hasn’t let them down whenever she has played. Gotta stay ready.
This was supposed to be the weekend that a lot of women’s football returned in England... but covid meant that there were only two games in the Championship and three in the WSL. No game for Ria Percival. No game for Anna Leat. No game for Grace Neville. No game for Katie Rood. However Fylde Ladies got a 2-0 win over Loughborough to stay second in their third tier conference, Laura Merrin with the start but unfortunately she had to go off injured early in the match.
And Ashleigh Ward got a full game at left back as Actonians beat the oddly named Hashtag United 1-0 thanks to a first half penalty. Massive win, serving Hashtag Utd their first defeat of the Div1 South East season. Actonians are third in their regional section of the fourth tier Division 1... although pretty sure only the top team gets promoted so that may be a stretch beyond them. But you never know.
Up Next: Monday at 3am against Watford (NZT)
Nik Tzanev – AFC Wimbledon (English League One)
There were some delightful upsets in the third round of the FA Cup. Chris Wood was involved in one of them (on the wrong end, alas). Newcastle lost to League One’s Cambridge United. Arsenal went down to Nottingham Forest. But sneakily amidst all of those eliminated Premier League clubs the most notable upset may well have been non-league club Boreham Wood getting past Nik Tzanev’s AFC Wimbledon.
The Dons had the first big chance as Luke McCormick smashed one across goal... but then a giveaway in midfield allowed Tyrone Marsh to run into a massive gap between Dons defenders and he lashed his finish past Tzanev, giving the kiwi keeper no chance. Ten minutes gone and the team two divisions down were in the lead.
It stayed that way for a long time. McCormick had another crack for AFCW. Jack Rudoni had a deflected cross nearly sail into the net. Wimbledon at least trying to force the issue, yet as the scoreboard pressure mounted in the second half ol’ Boreham Wood began to find more and more joy in their search for a second. Gus Mafuta headed wide. Tzanev saved well off Marsh.
Finally, in the 86th minute, Adrian Clifton whipped in a second for BW and Wimbledon never mustered a response. 2-0 to Boreham Wood. Not exactly how the Dons would have dreamt it up when they dodged all those nasty Premier League clubs to be drawn against a non-league team.
Up Next: Big grudge match away to MK Dons on Weds at 8.45am, then home to Morecambe at 4am on Sunday (NZT)
Tommy Smith – Colchester United (English League Two)
Can’t get knocked out of the FA Cup if you’ve already been knocked out of the FA Cup. Clever thinking by Colchester United there... however they did have the EFL Trophy third round against Sutton United in the midweek to get through. Two League Two teams, last round of the regional sections with the winners advancing to the quarters. Full game for Tommy Smith. So how’d they track?
They lost 2-1. Pretty even game in terms of chances, in fact The U’s slightly edged the overall shot count. But Sutton scored early and took the lead in the seventh minute as a deflected shot from Alistair Smith hit the post and then went in off CU keeper Jake Turner. Desperately unlucky way to concede. Turner did make a class double stop soon after to prevent his team going further behind though, Tommy Smith then clearing the thirds for a corner kick. Speaking of corners, Colchester equalised from one right before the break. Freddie Sears with the flicked on header. Except Sutton Utd retook the lead eight mins into the second stanza thanks to a wonderful hit from Donovan Wilson after a clever dummy in the box had created the space for him.
Colchester gave it a proper go. Alan Judge hit the crossbar from a direct free kick. Same dude had a chance saved after Smithy had set him up. And just when a scrappy section of play seemed to open up for him in the 84th... his shot flew into the outside of the post. Sutton were a wee bit luckier and a wee bit more clinical and that’s why they’re still in the EFL Trophy. Bugger. Colchester’s focus now turns entirely towards making sure they’re still in the Football League next season.
Up Next: Away to Forest Green on Weds at 8.45am and then home to Barrow on Sun at 4am... supposing either game goes ahead which these days you can’t exactly count on (NZT)
Kyle Adams & Nikko Boxall – San Diego Loyal (American USL Championship)
Not one but two kiwi signings, a pair of central defenders heading to California. For Adams, this is a parallel move. He’s dominated at USL level in the recent past with Rio Grande Valley and Real Monarchs but those two teams have been kinda crap while he’s been there. RGV never made the playoffs in his three years there and only once even really came close... then his Real Monarchs had the fourth worst record in the USL in 2021.
San Diego, however, cracked the conference quarters last year in only their second season in existence so that’s decent. Upwardly mobile and all that. Landon Donovan is their coach, the American legend. He’s also a part owner which will be awkward if he ever needs to be sacked. Obviously there’s no promotion from USL... but MLS does take expansion clubs from this level sometimes after they’ve proved their worth so you never know. Plus players are getting signed from USL by MLS clubs all the time... it happened once to Kyle Adams when he went from Rio Grande Valley to their MLS affiliate Houston Dynamo though then spent the whole season on loan with RGV again anyway.
Hunter Ashworth played for San Diego last year. Only got a couple of games before disappearing again – never did hear if that was injury related or what. Ashworth was born and raised in America but did play youth internationals for Aotearoa. Now the Loyal have a pair of kiwi centre-backs to replace him.
Slightly strange from Nikko Boxall’s perpective though. After being a regular for SJK in Finland these last couple years (captaining them many times) following a great stint with Viborg in the Danish second tier, he’s been one of the undercover brothers of the Flying Kiwis beat. Even scooped up a few All Whites caps along the way. But this move is not one that strengthens his All Whites credentials in any way, gotta be honest.
There are other factors that come into these things though and Nikko Boxall did go to university in the States plus you already know his brother Michael is an MLS standout with Michael Boxall. Meanwhile Kyle Adams didn’t just go to uni in that country... he went to San Diego State University. The ol’ stomping ground. Righto then.
Up Next: New season starts in March
Elliot Collier - San Antonio (American USL Championship)
And another one to the USL. Far from unfamiliar areas for Elliot Collier, he played 26 times for Memphis 901 back in 2019 (scoring 6 goals). That was on loan from Chicago Fire and to date those six goals remain the most recent professional goals that he’s scored. Two more seasons for Chicago in the MLS saw his minutes and opportunities gradually shrink to where it was no surprise that he was released at the end of last season.
Now he’s got a gig with San Antonio FC to get the train back on the tracks. San Antonio had a solid time of it in 2021 qualifying second in their division before going on a lovely playoff run took them all the way to the conference final where they lost on penalties to Orange County, the eventual USL Championship winners (beating Tampa Bay Rowdies 3-1 in the grand final). Seems like a useful landing spot for EC.
SAFC Head Coach Alen Marcina: “We are happy to welcome Elliot to the family. He has experience at the international, MLS, and USL levels. Elliot possesses unique attributes with his height, speed, tireless work ethic, and dominance in one vs. one attacking situations. He is a fantastic professional and will add value to our high-performance environment.”
Up Next: New season still starts in March
Stefan Marinovic - Hapoel Nof HaGalil (Israeli Premier League)
Bad results and kiwi keepers have been too common a pairing lately. Stefan Marinovic is no exception to that trend. His Hapoel Nof HaGalil team had probably their rock bottom moment this week as they went down 6-2 at home to Kiryat Shmona – a game in which, sure, they had a red card after 26 minutes. But they were also already 2-0 down after ten. Chuck in a penalty (from the red card offence) and an own goal in that one and that’s your Bad Game Bingo card all filled out.
Pretty savage there as it was Nof HaGalil’s new manager Shay Barda’s first game in charge... and he was up against his former coaching partner Slobodan Drapic in the other dugout. It’s a result that keeps Nof HaGalil heading in the direction they already had been. They’ve slipped to second to last on the ladder thanks to a losing streak that’s now stretched to six league games in a row (plus a cup defeat) and winless streak of ten games in all comps. Marinovic has started every match and is third in the league for total saves... but he’s also conceded ten goals more than any other individual keeper (aka ‘Coped Goals’ lol). Plus he’s somehow had to face seven penalties in 17 games... though he did save one of them. Things could be going better, that’s for sure.
Up Next: Away to Hapoel Tel Aviv on Sunday at 2am (NZT)
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