Flying Kiwis – October 12

Marko Stamenic – FC København (Danish Superliga)

This week’s Flying Kiwis is largely dedicated to Marko Stamenic, which nobody should be in any way surprised about given the week he’s just had. Within the past seven days the dude has played three games of football and two of them were against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League.

The previous Superliga game had seen the two midfielders that Stamenic started alongside both leave the game with injuries. Rasmus Falk hobbled off in the first half while Carlos Zeca is always in the wars but a challenge near the end of the game caused instant panic. He did his ACL last season so he knew the deal, another serious knee injury and his season is over when it had only just begun. Falk’s not so badly hurt but it will mean a couple weeks off.

Hence there was never any doubt that Stamenic would be walking on against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium... which was especially cool because it meant his family were able to fly over to watch the game – the first time his parents had seen him play live for a professional club (given all the pandemicry). Also his dad’s a Man City fan so chuck that on the list of special happenings too.

The thing about Manchester City is that they’re really good. Maybe the best team in Europe at the moment, favourites to win this whole competition. And Erling Haaland is in impeccable form therefore as Stamenic settled into a defensive midfield role, which he’s likely to play a lot more of now in the absence of Zeca, Haaland hovered around for a few minutes keeping defenders on their toes... and then scored with his first touch.

Then he scored again soon after. Then there was an own goal. And although Haaland was subbed at the half the carnage continued when City won a penalty that was converted by Riyad Mahrez. The stink thing about the penalty was that it was conceded by our fella Marko Stamenic, who was yellow carded to compound his worries. One of those ones where Aymeric Laporte’s experience meant he was a step ahead mentally, manipulating the aggressive approach of UCL rookie Stamenic by fighting through the contact and dragging them both down knowing that there was a good chance the ref would see it his way. Which is what happened. Wee bit harsh. Definitely a learning moment.

Apart from the penalty, Stamenic’s second half was a big improvement on a nervous first forty-five. His passing was much more accurate (very important when you’ve only got small helping of possession to begin with – can’t waste it) and he seemed to adjust to the pace of the game. Granted, City were in cruise control by then. They ended up adding a fifth through Julian Alvarez with fifteen to go. 5-0 was the final score.

Marko Stamenic: “The experience we've taken from the team we just played against, arguably the best team in the world, has given us a lot of good things to learn from. I'm young and it's good that I'm experiencing this stuff now, and learning from them quick. Hopefully I can adapt better and build on my game, and help the team in the future – looking first at FC Nordsjælland at the weekend.

I tried my best out there. For the majority of the game you're running hard and trying to get the ball off them, and it's very difficult. In those moments you are tired and you have to stay disciplined – because the moment you do win the ball you have to attack quickly against teams like Manchester City. You learn how to work with these players, how to adapt to games in these scenarios, and hopefully we'll do better next week.”

Unreal experience. Especially, as the man himself says, to play in a game like this so early in his career. Forget about the result, probably inevitable even on a rainy cold Manchester evening, and just bask in the occasion this one time because this was iconic. From Stokes Valley to the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.

Then back to Copenhagen because the Superliga doesn’t sleep and FCK had an important match against Nordsjælland to get through (before a homer against Manchester City in the reverse group stage fixture). Only three changes to the eleven and the midfield wasn’t touched (Stamenic with Lukas Lerager and Viktor Claesson).

Can’t afford to spend too long on this game so suffice to say it was a grind. København had the better of the changes in an overall defensive contest yet their shooting wasn’t up to scratch hence it looked for a long time as though a goalless draw was going to be the outcome. Then Roony scored. Roony Bardghji, a 16 year old Swedish midfielder who came off the bench and poaching an 83rd minute goal to break the deadlock. Copenhagen had been turning up the heat leading to the goal so they were worth it when it arrived.

Just one wee drama... they couldn’t hold on. FCN naturally gave it the kitchen sink and in the third minute added on Oliver Antman was able to avoid a couple of desperate sliding block attempts, one by Stamenic, to slam in a very late equaliser. Gotta settle for that 1-1 draw. It’s certainly not a bad result against the team at the top of the ladder... but the timing of that concession made it feel more like a loss than a win. Amazingly, every team seems to be dropping points in Denmark these days so FCK are only eight points off top despite having lost more games than they’ve won. Anyway, back to Manchester City x Champions League things.

Copenhagen had some incredible support in the stands at the Etihad Stadium and at times they drowned out the home support despite only having a fraction of the numbers. So you knew they were gonna turn it up for the return fixture. The atmosphere at Parken was nuts – a crowd that included Marko’s family once more... as well as old Ole Academy coach/mentor Declan Edge. Stammers was one of six FCK players in the starting line-up aged 20 or younger. Manchester City blessedly left Erling Haaland on the bench... although Stamenic was up against a midfield trio of Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan, and Kevin De Bruyne. No mercy.

After getting smashed last week, the plan was clearly to keep things even for as long as they can. City immediately had all the ball but Stamenic was sliding around in that CDM role and keeping them at bay. Nothing too drastic as they saw out the first ten minutes... then Rodri absolutely smoked one into the top corner for a brilliant goal. Out of nothing, that’s how it happens. Except that equally out of nothing was a VAR check that spotted a handball by Riyad Mahrez in the build-up – whilst competing with Marko Stamenic for a header which neither of them won. Extremely soft decision. 0-0 it remained.

The handballs giveth and the handballs taketh away so before too long FCK also got done for one leading to a City penalty. At least it wasn’t Stamenic who conceded this one. Nicolai Boilesen was the fella who left his arms up whilst defending a corner kick and got snapped for it. However Mahrez missed. Or more accurately Kamil Grabara saved it. Great stop from the keeper, who has returned from injury (wearing a protective facemask) to start a bit of beef with temporary replacement Aussie Mat Ryan. Weird situation there but Grabara played well against City in the first game and saved a penalty here so fair play.

Then the VAR got involved for a third time in the first half, deeming that Sergio Gomez had brought down Hakon Arnar Haraldsson in a last-man challenge. Which he had... so the ref whipped out a red card. City down to ten after 35 minutes. That caused a defensive shuffle from Pep Guardiola’s team (Mahrez subbed off... his evening saw him cost his team a goal with handball, miss a penalty, then get subbed before half-time) and thus it was that after losing to the same opposition 5-0 six days earlier, Copenhagen were still level at the break.

Whatever it was about last week, there was no lingering inferiority complex when Copenhagen got that second half underway. All it took was a loud home crowd and a man advantage, apparently, because FCK actually began the second half with a lot of ball looking confident and creative. Stamenic even whacked one wide from range, albeit not his best hit to be honest. They’d switched to a back three at half-time of the first leg and it seemed to help proceedings... they did the back three thing here too and it definitely worked. Without that focal point of Haaland (and down a fella on the pitch) City really struggled to create even after they settled back into their trademark ball-retention.

One sneaky note: remember the Laporte vs Stamenic penalty from... a few paragraphs ago? There was a very similar incident in the second half of this game. Same two players, also from a corner. Laporte went down and City appealed for a penalty but the ref said nah bro and the VAR didn’t say anything at all. Check the replay and you can see why. Same old thing but this time Stamenic didn’t fall for the trap. One small example of the way in which Marko – and his entire team – made positive adjustments after the 5-0 loss.

If Stamenic looked a tad nervous in the first meeting, here he looked fully comfortable. Knew what he was doing and he did it well – the UEFA website lists him as completing 36/37 passes for a 97% success rate (other sources differ, the definition of a ‘pass’ can be subjective, but they’ve all got him at >90%). That’s big time, especially as passing was one of the things he slipped up with a week earlier. He wasn’t madly ambitious or anything but that’s all good it’s what his position demanded. Be an option. Keep the ball moving. It was an assured performance well beyond his years.

He did get a silly yellow card though. Made a strong challenge on Gundogan but it was harshly judged a foul. He then picked up the ball and spiked it which earned a booking for dissent. That’s three yellows in three UCL games which means he’s suspended for the next game against Sevilla. Not ideal. But the reaction was at least very funny.

Stamenic was subbed off in stoppage time, a time-waster with only seconds remaining. He’d just before unleashed another shot, much better contact this time, dummying to create space and then swinging his left foot through... wide of the target but he had Ederson diving at full stretch to be sure. 0-0 was the final score.

Hell of a turnaround after last week... FC Copenhagen are thus the only team to keep Manchester City scoreless to date this season. After losing the Community Shield to Liverpool, City have won ten and drawn three. Curiously enough one of the other draws was against Chris Wood and Newcastle. If Pep Guardiola coached Costa Rica then the All Whites would be going to the World Cup.

Marko Stamenic: “It was another tough game against one of the best teams in the world. I think we can leave the stadium proud of ourselves and our team. We fought to the very last minute. It means everything to me [to be the first NZer to play men’s UCL for 15 years]. Football is my life and I want to be playing among the best players in the world. I'm so grateful to be able to play against arguably one of the best teams in the world.”

Up Next: Away to Brøndby, and maybe Joe Bell if he gets picked, at 1am on Monday (NZT)

Michael Boxall – Minnesota United / Bill Tuiloma – Portland Timbers (American Major League Soccer)

MLS Decision Day began like this: Minnesota United were up against Vancouver Whitecaps needing a win or a draw or results elsewhere to make the playoffs. Portland Timbers were away to Real Salt Lake needing a draw or better to make the playoffs. All the games in the Western Conference kicked off at the same time. Michael Boxall and Bill Tuiloma were each named to start for their respective teams. We could have gotten both of them into the postseason or neither of them, it was all to play for over the final ninety minutes.

Time for the Flying Kiwis x MLS Decision Day Minute By Minute...

3’ – Early worries for the Timbers as RSL have the ball in the back of the net quickstat... but only after a clear offside.

6’ – Also some sketchy moments for Minnesota at the back see their keeper forced into a pair of early saves, though they managed to hold on and settle down into the game after that.

16’ – Minnesota won the ball in the Vancouver half via Manny Reynoso and it fell to Franco Frangapane with space to travel. He advanced towards the penalty area then pumped a shot into the bottom corner for an excellent goal. That crucial first strike. Minnesota were now in a playoffs position on the live ladder.

19’ – The pressure remained on the Timbers, however, and they weren’t able to survive it. Jefferson Savarino with a beauty of a goal curling in low from outside the box. Portland dip out of that live ladder playoff scenario.

35’ – Not entirely enjoying their situation, Portland subbed off a defender (Zac McGraw) and brought on a striker (Jaro Niezgoda). Going away from the back three shape that had been prevalent during their recent good form and keeping Bill Tuiloma a bit deeper than he’d ordinarily like.

45’ – We reached the halves in both games. The Loons did give up a lot of tricky territory to the Whitecaps but that last line of defence with Boxy and company had things sorted. Heaps of crosses but no difficult saves for their goalie to make the rest of the half. Portland were still down 1-0 and looking more likely to concede again than to score.

48’ – Three minutes into the second half, the Timbers did concede again. Really nice team move finished off by Rubio Rubin with a slight deflection off the boot of Bill Tuiloma as it found its way into the net. A deflection which may have cost his keeper a chance at saving it. Now they were truly in trouble.

63’ – There hadn’t been many chances for Vancouver in the second half but they should have scored here as a cross went over Boxall and was headed wildly off target... into the path of another attacker who stretched out and kicked it into the crossbar from a couple yards out. Enormous let off for Minnesota United.

68’ – Yimmi Chara hit the post for Portland. Close but no cigar. Some better areas for Portland but it was coming at the risk of counter attacks leaving them vulnerable at the back.

76’ – Minny responded to that scare with a really strong spell of attack, going close several times. And finally with quarter of an hour left they scored again. There it was. That crucial second goal to Jonathan Gonzalez finishing off a deflected cross in stride. 2-0 to the Loons who were well on their way to the postseason.

82’ – After a Bill Tuiloma nudge off target and a Niezgoda chance that he couldn’t quite reach... RSL went up the other end and shredded them with a lovely give-and-go leading to Bode Hidalgo stroking home a third for the home team and pretty much ending the Timbers’ season right there.

86’ – Hold up, Dairon Asprilla scored a deflected effort to make it 3-1 and open the door ever so slightly once more.

FULL TIME – Minnesota United held on for that 2-0 win. A clean sheet victory for Michael Boxall’s boys and thus for the fourth year in a row, ol’ Boxy is off to the MLS Playoffs. Alas, no salvation for Billy T. His game ended 3-1 and therefore the Timbers were eliminated from the playoffs. They’d made a real run at it with some excellent recent form but fell one game short in the end. His season comes to a close. But Minnesota United will face FC Dallas next week in round one so fire up for that fixture.

Up Next: MLS Playoffs, Tuesday at 2.30pm, FC Dallas versus Minnesota United (NZT)

Logan Rogerson & Ollie Whyte - FC Haka (Finnish Veikkausliiga)

Ah yes, another Team of the Month acknowledgement. Further reward for a superb season from Logan Rogerson – he was one of four Haka players to make the September edition... plus their coach was also acknowledged. All of which comes on the back of some excellent form which had them challenging for third place and a European spot coming into this past week despite not being assured of sneaking into the championship play-offs until the last few regular season rounds.

Third place was there for the taking... but they’d have to get points off the three best teams in the land to do so. Sadly that ain’t what happened. In a midweeker they met KuPS who’ve been going head to head with HJK in the title race all season. There was a start for Logan Rogerson and there was a start for Ollie Whyte. There was also a yellow card for Rogerson. But what there wasn’t any of, was goals.

Rogerson was up to his old tricks but didn’t seem to get much love from the ref. There was a move in the first half where he and Whyte both went close within seconds. Later Whyte basically got carried by a defender off a second half Rogerson cross yet no penalty. Rogerson also got around his man on the break from the right wing and smacked the keeper in the chest with his tight-angle show. But nothing clean or open, in all honesty, however their defence was excellent against a very strong team and a 0-0 draw was definitely better for them than it was for their opponents.

To get third place they therefore needed to take something off league leaders HJK, while also hoping for FC Honka to simultaneously drop points away against SJK (which they did: drawing 0-0). Haka play Honka in the final round so with three points between them coming into this penultimate weekend of matches it was all on supposing Haka could spring an upset. No Ollie Whyte for this one. Logan Rogerson on his usual right wing.

But it was a different ex-Auckland City hero who made the difference. Twelve minutes into the match and David Browne played a one-two from the left wing to get into the area, skip past a defender, then bury what proved to be the only goal of the game. Haka played well. They created opportunities and they scrambled at the back to prevent HJK, who would lift the title with a victory here, from adding to that Browne goal. Couldn’t find an equaliser, 1-0 final score. Shout out to David Browne the Papua New Guinea legend for another trophy. FC Haka are now guaranteed to finish fourth regardless of what happens next week. Still an excellent season though.

Up Next: FC Honka vs FC Haka, 3am on Monday (NZT)

Marco Rojas – Colo-Colo (Chilean Primera División)

Colo-Colo’s attempts to close out yet another league title (their nickname is ‘The Eternal Champions’) has been a little bit sloppier than they’d prefer. Curicó Unido were their opponents in the latest game and in a scrappy first half they took the lead via a 37th minute Gabriel Costa penalty, coming after the VAR intervened upon a foul that the ref had initially let slide, however they allowed an equaliser only five minutes later. Caught on the break. Couldn’t recover even after Diego Coelho initially hit the post.

It wasn’t until the 75th minute that Marco Rojas was introduced although he almost made an immediate impact with a lunging header drifting in from the right wing that was powerfully saved by the CU goal-keeper. It was as close to a second goal that the Colocinos went all arvo. Unsurprisingly, in a game full of some rough battles, it ended with CC’s Juan Martin Lucero getting second off deep into stoppage time. That’s their striker so maybe that helps Rojas get into the starting XI for next time.

1-1 the final score. That’s two draws in a row coming out of the last international window... but helpfully Curicó Unido are in second so they didn’t lose any ground on them. And third-placed Nublense have also drawn two in a row. Hence they would have wrapped up the championship this very week had Rojas’ header flown into the net... but with three games left and a nine-point buffer they’re still only one positive result away from the silverware. No game next week because of the Copa Chile semi-finals (Colo-Colo went out in the round of sixteen) but best pay attention the week after because Marco Rojas Walen is on the verge of... well, repeating what he’s already done a couple times in the A-League by winning a league championship.

Up Next: Coquimbo Unido vs Colo-Colo at 9am on Monday 24 October (NZT)

Chris Wood - Newcastle United (English Premier League)

The Woodsman did not play last week. Returning from the All Whites with that hip injury, he did still make the bench for the 4-1 win away to ten-man Fulham but the nature of the win meant there was zero need to risk him - the first game all season that he hasn’t played some part of. Nathaniel Chalobah was sent off after eight minutes for Fulham. Fit-again Callum Wilson scored soon after and it was 3-0 by half-time. There aren’t many times you can say this in the Premier League but that one was easy mahi.

Actually... so was the subsequent game against Brentford. The Magpies were straight-up way better and defensive mistakes from Brentford gave them maximum reward. The Bees did score first but it was disallowed by VAR for an offside interference. Bruno Guimaraes, who was outstanding all game, then opened the scoring for realsies with a fine header off a Kieran Trippier cross on 21’. Ten minutes later Jacob Murphy got on the scoresheet, set up by Wilson who’d intercepted a pass out from the keeper. Ivan Toney did pull one back from the penalty spot on 56’ after a handball... but Bruno got his second almost immediately afterwards and a late goal for Miguel Almiron (82’), also from intercepting a defensive pass, made sure of it.

Chris Wood was brought on as part of a triple-sub in the wake of that fourth goal. Off came Wilson, Trippier, and Almiron... very much one of those ‘job done fellas’ decisions from the manager. Wood therefore had enough time to do some running around, to win a couple of headers, to appeal for a free kick that wasn’t given for a teammate... and to go hunting in the middle of the goal for a cross that was travelling straight towards him until defender Ethan Pinnock stuck his leg out and diverted it into his own net. 90th minute own goal to complete the scoring. Kepeer might’ve got it ahead of Wood so can’t say he was robbed of a goal. It is what it is. Some awkward handshakes from the Toon lads celebrating a goal that was gifted to them. 5-1 final score. Extended highlights on the NUFC YouTube.

Up Next: Manchester United vs Newcastle United at 2am on Monday (NZT)

Elijah Just - AC Horsens (Danish Superliga)

It wasn’t much of a game... but as Horsens drew 0-0 with Aalborg, adding another point to the tally as they seek to remain in the top flight, Eli Just reached another milestone with his new club: his first full game for Horsens.

Would have been better had he drilled home the shot he took in the eighth minute but a defender slid in to take some heat out of it and the keeper made an easy save. There were two other shots off target throughout the game – Just playing as a second striker rather than a winger where he’s tended to be deployed so far. Seems he isn’t established enough that he gets to dodge being the guy lying behind the wall on defensive free kicks though. Quickly becoming football’s version of fielding under the helmet in cricket...

Still, a solid enough game from Just and a solid enough point for Horsens. Can’t complain, can’t complain.

Better than Joe Bell who was an unused sub again for Brøndby. At least they won this week – quite a dramatic 3-2 victory over Randers in which they had to survive the last dozen minutes with ten men. That win draws them level on points with promoted Horsens, funnily enough. 15 points after 12 games. But Horsens are ahead on goal difference (it’s been a mess of a season for BIF to date).

Up Next: Away to FC Midtjylland at 5am on Monday (NZT)

Alex Greive - St Mirren (Scottish Premiership)

He didn’t really do much as they were smoked 4-0... but Alex Greive can tick off another career achievement after starting against Rangers at Ibrox. He was an unused sub for the win over Celtic a few weeks back though he did play off the bench against the Hoops last season. Also played away against Rangers last season (also in a 4-0 loss) though that was at home. So there you go, Old Firm away days now locked away in the memory bank forever.

Greive lasted 64 minutes up front, attempting two shots both off target. Yet there was no point at which this was a close game. Antonio Colak scored in only the fourth minute. James Tavernier converted from the penalty spot after half an hour. It was still 2-0 when Greive was replaced by Greg Kiltie although with only 29% of possession there wasn’t much hope of a comeback. Colak then scored again on 73’ and Fashion Sakala finished it off in stoppage time.

AG does make the highlight package with one of those two shots, a spinning volley into the deck which drew a save out of Allan McGregor even though replays suggested it was headed wide. Better safe than sorry. Greive did well to get that shot away after collecting the ball with his back to goal... but it proved a rare moment in a game otherwise filled with graft and toil.

Up Next: Sunday at 3am against Kilmarnock (NZT)

Max Crocombe - Grimsby Town (English League Two)

Grimsby Town, and by extension starting keeper Max Crocombe, are having quite a decent season after promotion back to the football league. Following a couple games without a win they roared back with a comfortable 3-0 win over Crawley Town to launch back up to 11th on the ladder – their first home win in League Two this season. Couple useful saves by Crocombe. Did get beaten once but it was disallowed for offside. Clean sheet in the bag, go on.

Meanwhile Nik Tzanev was on the wrong end of a 3-1 AFC Wimbledon loss to Walsall. With only 12 points from 12 games they’re a bit further back on the table than Grimsby Town despite the Dons having been two divisions above them a year ago. One got promoted, one got relegated. Meet in the middle. Also Colchester are even worse off with 9 points from 12 games although they did win 2-1 against Harrogate on the weekend – Tommy Smith’s still out injured however.

Up Next: 3am on Sunday, Stockport vs Grimsby (NZT)

Nando Pijnaker – Sligo Rovers (League of Ireland Premier Division)

Good solid win for the lads. Or for one of them at least as Max Mata missed the trip to UCD due to injury. However Nando Pijnaker’s been thrust into a run of starts since fellow defender Garry Buckley did his ACL in one of the Conference League qualifiers so you can always bank on him playing when fit. This was the eleventh consecutive LOI game that he’s started for Sligo Rovers... and the third of those in which they’ve kept a clean sheet.

Not much to yarn about from this game. Adam McDonnell scored in the 19th minute to cap what had been a positive start from his team on attack. The same guy scored again on 55’, a similar goal running through on the keeper and finishing confidently. Not a very eventful game but those two goals meant that Sligo Rovers could feel comfortable down the stretch. 2-0 final score. Recent defeats mean that Sligo Rovers can’t finish any higher than their current fifth place with four games remaining, no European jaunts next season, and holding on to fifth will still be a battle in itself. Here’s hoping they finish strong, maybe another couple goals from the kiwi lads as well, why not.

Up Next: A week off, then it’s away to Dundalk on Saturday 22 Oct at 7.45am (NZT)

Michael Woud – Kyoto Sanga (Japanese J-League)

Alas, the Emperor’s Cup run has come to a halt in the semi-finals. This competition has been the scene of the bulk of Michael Woud’s games for Kyoto Sanga and their run this deep in the tourney has ensured that once every month or so the Sanga backup GK has been able to get a game in. An unused sub in 16 different J-League games without playing. But five games in the Emperor’s Cup and another couple in the J-League Cup earlier in the year.

Kyoto Sanga met Sanfrecce in the semis. A tough match-up given that Sanfrecce are third in the country and Kyoto Sanga are only two points above automatic relegation (with three games remaining). Cup games can often go against expectations though and KS turned up in a mood to compete. Woud made a very good save with his chest rushing out at his near post on 27’. Another diving stop soon after from a long shot which admittedly gave him plenty of time to react. However a handball by one of his defenders cost the team a penalty and, despite diving the right way, Woud wasn’t able to stop Douglas Vieira from scoring.

Not much a goalie can do when down a goal, simply had to trust his buddies to score in response. It took a fair while... but in the 79th minute they did exactly that. Origbaajo Ismaila with a violent half-volley into the roof of the net. Boom, get in there. Off to extra time... though not before Woud managed a sliding block to avoid calamity in stoppage time when an under-hit back pass came his way.

But five minutes into extras he was beaten by a clinical Nassim Ben Khalifa strike after being played in behind by a silky reverse flick from Vieira. Kyoto Sanga don’t score too many at the best of times. They did have one brave header that was well saved near the end but weren’t able to put one in the net to give Michael Woud the chance to be the hero in a shootout. 2-1 loss after extra time. It was a valiant effort even just getting as far as they did. Ah well.

Up Next: Tbh we may not see Michael Woud again until next season, barring an injury

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