Flying Kiwis – October 19
Matthew Garbett – Torino (Italian Serie A)
Yeah you see that? A first team debut for Matt Garbett at Torino is what that is. He’s had to wait patiently for this moment but manager Ivan Jurić finally found a situation that suited: the final eight minutes of a 4-0 win over a lower tier opponent in the Coppa Italia. No dramas with that, so long as it’s the first of many.
Garbett was a regular for the Primavera team (U19s) last season but has now aged out of that group. However rather than being sent out on loan he’s been absorbed into the wider first team. Got a few subs appearances during preseason... and thanks to the extended benches in Serie A he’s been a part of every single matchday squad since – that’s 10 games as an unused substitute, plus the two he had late last season. He wasn’t on the bench for their earlier Coppa Italia match, smaller subs list that day, but he did make the grade for the round of 32 tie at home against Cittadella this week. And this time he finally got brought on. It was thirteenth time lucky for Matty Garbs.
The damage had been done (or the pathway cleared, if you’d prefer to think of it that way) by a first half banger of a goal for Nemanja Radonjić (21’). Ten minutes after the break Pietro Pellegri (55’) added a second but it was the five-minute double strikes of Perr Schuurs (76’) and David Zima (80’) that broke things open. Torino had already made one sub around an hour in, then a triple sub followed after 73 mins. That meant only one change remained and there were a heap of other blokes sitting alongside Garbs. But this was his turn. Only got the eight mins (plus stoppage time) and didn’t get up to a whole heap as the right-sided number ten with the heat long since having escaped from this fixture. Regardless, this was a significant moment in the career of one of the more significant kiwi footballing prospects out there at the moment.
Up Next: 11.30pm on Sunday away to Udinese (NZT)
Michael Boxall – Minnesota United (American Major League Soccer)
Last man or woman standing in the top flight American leagues... it’s Michael Boxall of Minnesota United. Bill Tuiloma didn’t make the playoffs. Abby Erceg, Katie Bowen, and Ali Riley didn’t make the playoffs. But the Loons managed to squeeze on in there thanks to last week’s 2-0 win over Vancouver Whitecaps, breaking up a really poor run of form that had them plummet from competing for third place to barely getting sixth.
But they got there. That’s all that mattered. And it meant a trip to Texas to face FC Dallas. Minnesota very much the underdogs, especially away from home, but sometimes that helps to take the pressure off. What we saw from them in the first half especially was a very organised defensive effort with Boxall and his mates staying deep and covering their lines.
A couple of times they were able to get Emanuel Reynoso or Franco Frangapane the ball in decent attacking areas but as the half progressed they were held more and more inside their own half. Having said that, Dallas’ most memorable first half chance was flagged back for offside and other than that it was halfies at best. Quite a dull 45 minutes in all honesty... which suited Minnesota perfectly fine. Hardest working person in the stadium was whoever was in charge of collating the half-time highlights package (they found two clips and that was all).
What this game needed was a goal and six minutes into the second half Minnesota supplied one when Bongi Hlongwane ran onto a long ball and somehow managed to stumble his way through a couple defenders outside the area before nudging it back to Manny Reynoso who blasted it low into the bottom corner. Almost out of nothing but that’s Reynoso for ya. Boxy ran about 80 metres to get amongst the celebrations and he wasn’t alone from that backline in doing so.
Unfortunately the lead only lasted a dozen minutes. FCD picked up the pace and Minny had to start scrambling. Boxall made an excellent clearance from one low cross but in the 63rd min the home side curled in a corner kick that was touched on at the near post then headed in by Facundo Quignon in the middle. Back to 1-1. Minny thought they’d retaken the lead immediately as Reynoso put the ball in the net except he was one of three MU players offside from the move. But they withstood what Dallas had to offer for the rest of the ninety and for a split-second it appeared that Boxall might become a playoffs legend stepping up from defence and unleashing a low shot from 30 yards... but it fizzed wide. That was in the 93rd minute. Off to extra time we went.
A more exciting game would have been nice for the neutrals... but it also probably would’ve meant an FC Dallas win. The first half of extras went by in a daze with nothing much happening. The second half saw Minny on the brink from one low cross from the left but the first fella shanked his shot from eight yards and the next fella’s attempt was brilliantly stopped on the line by keeper Dayne St Clair.
The Loons survived that threat. They also survived with four mins left after Michael Boxall was harshly called up for a handball just outside his own area after blocking a shot with his arm tucked and his head turned. Boxy stood in the five-man wall and the shot went low under that wall for an easy save. By this stage a penalty shootout had long since felt like an inevitability. Thus it came to pass.
Minny went first and Reynoso scored. Dallas scored in response as Jara tried a panenka and St Clair got a foot to it reaching back but not enough to keep it out. Trapp then missed for MU, his low left getting shot saved. Lletget scored in response. Advantage FC Dallas. Arriaga scored for the Loons but then so did Hedges. Benitez went next and converted a thumper into the roof of the net. But Perreira converted for Dallas to put the Loons on the brink. Garcia buried his attempt so Velasco only needed to score to send Dallas through... and he did. Via a panenka. Bloody hell. 1-1 after extra time and 5-4 to FCD on penalties. The Aotearoa links in MLS 2023 are officially over and out.
Up Next: Must be time for a holiday
Marko Stamenic – FC København (Danish Superliga)
You wanna see something dramatic, here’s FCK scoring a 98th minute equaliser against Brøndby...
This was a derby game between two big rivals, both having had poor starts to the season. Valuable points and bragging rights both on offer. It could have also been a blockbuster Flying Kiwis game with Marko Stamenic on one team and Joe Bell on the other... but Bell’s fallen out of favour at BIF just recently, having only played 27 minutes since the start of September (not including All Whites duty). It’ll swing back around for him soon enough but he was an unused substitute in this match even as they nursed the 1-0 lead they got via Ohi Omoijuanfro after only ten minutes.
Thankfully Stamenic started in that FCK midfield as he always seems to do now. He had a very tidy performance sliding around in front of the back three winning tackles and interceptions and was once again almost flawless with his distribution (42/44 for 95% passing)... but his team were in trouble so after 68 mins he was subbed off for another attacking option in 16 year old Roony Bardghji. Turns out that was a pretty shrewd move from the gaffer.
FCK had been second best to that stage but they finished much stronger. A Roony run led to BIF’s Sigurd Rosted being sent off for a second yellow in the 95th minute. Then in the 98th minute young Bardghji scored for a share of the points. 1-1 final score. Wild game. Needed more Joe Bell... but pretty buzzy how assured Marko Stamenic looks these days, completely at home in that FCK midfield and seemingly raising his standard with every subsequent match.
Up Next: Third round Danish Cup action away to Hobro at 4.45am Thursday, then it’s FC Midtjylland at home on Sunday at 3am (NZT)
Elijah Just - AC Horsens (Danish Superliga)
Oh you know that’s just Eli Just playing 75 minutes against Danish powerhouses FC Midtjylland. The club that Winston Reid came up with. Just got the start on the left side of midfield and thought he’d set up a goal after 15 mins with a lob over the top to Magnus Jensen except MJ was ruled offside. Horsens did still take the lead five mins later through Lubambo Musonda with a tide back-stick finish that hit both posts before going in... but they conceded two minutes later.
FCM had a goal of their own disallowed for offside later in the half but other than that they struggled to break down the promoted side and when Just was subbed off with fifteen minutes to go it was looking like an impressive draw might be on the way for ACH.
Until Alexander Ludwig got red carded for taking down a fella through on goal with ten to play and in the 86th minute FCM scored the winner. 2-1 to Midtjylland. Close but not quite for Horsens. The better team did win, to be fair. Also watch to the very end of the highlights package to witness an FCM dude miss one of the worst sitters you’ll ever see in your life. Might’ve been offside, admittedly. Not sure that excuses him though.
Up Next: Bit of Danish Cup at 6am on Thursday away to HUI, then it’s home to Silkeborg in the Superliga at 3am on Monday (NZT)
Anna Leat – Aston Villa (English Super League)
English squad keeper and Aston Villa number one Hannah Hampton didn’t play this week. You know what that means. Not sure why Hampton was unavailable, perhaps a late arrival back from international duty, but whenever she doesn’t play Anna Leat does so we’re not complaining.
Two weeks ago Leat was the hero with four penalty saves in a Conti Cup shootout win over Manchester United. Then she went away and added another cap to her Football Ferns tally. Now it was time for a WSL debut for her new club as Aston Villa hosted... Leat’s old club West Ham United.
Villa had a crap start. Leat tried to keep a deflected shot from drifting over the line for a corner which it looked like she might have succeeded with but the ref/lino claimed otherwise. Then from that corner Dagny Brynjarsdottir headed in from close range – one of those ones where Leat was blocked off by the crowd in the six yard box and couldn’t get to it. A goal down inside two minutes... and Honoka Hayashi made it 2-0 after 14 mins, beating Leat through her legs after pouncing on a loose ball in the area.
The Villans improved after that and went close with a couple headers from corners, hitting the post off one of them. Then in the second half they had a golden chance to get back into it when a penalty was awarded for a handball... except Mackenzie Arnold saved Alisha Lehmann’s attempt. Luckily Kenza Dali did score soon afterwards for them (77’) with a wonderful finish to set up a frenetic last quarter of an hour. Villa made some attacking subs. They threw numbers forward. West Ham picked up a red card to Hawa Cissoko (for throwing a punch after being held back on a counter... madness lol) and had their manager Paul Konchesky sent off in the fracas as well.
But that slow start was ultimately a hurdle too far for Aston Villa who went down 2-1 to end their perfect start to the league campaign. Defeat for Anna Leat, who only had one save to make after the first fifteen mins. Villa with the bulk of possession and chances but they couldn’t get the goals to show for it.
Up Next: Home to Everton on Sunday at 12.30am (NZT)
CJ Bott - Leicester City (English Super League)
This wasn’t a debut for CJ Bott in the WSL - she’s featured five times off the bench for Leicester City since joining them at the beginning of the year. But she’d never started a WSL game until this weekend when the Foxes took on Manchester City away. Love to see it.
Bott played at left-back in a 4-4-2 that was always set up to contain rather than to counter... and there was no shock in store. City dominated from the outset, taking the lead thanks to a powerful Bunny Shaw header after 24 mins and carrying on from there with 76% of possession and 23 total shots (8 on target). Compare that to LCFC who had four shots, none on target.
But Leicester did defend well and Bott was a notable part of that with a few tackles and interceptions. City hit the post later in the first half but it wasn’t until the 73rd min that they finally got a second goal – Lauren Hemp with another header from a cross. Alex Greenwood missed a penalty for City soon after but Shaw scored on the rebound (78’). Then Yui Hasegawa scored a ripper on 88’ to finish things. The Foxes kinda letting it get away from them at the end, so it goes. 4-0 the final score. Ninety minutes for CJB though.
Up Next: Hosting Man United on Monday at 3am (NZT)
Rebekah Stott - Brighton & Hove Albion (English Super League)
Positive signs from Stotty coming back from preseason ankle surgery. Even more positive signs after she was then named on the bench for the game against Manchester United this weekend. Didn’t play and they lost 4-0... but it seems like Rebekah Stott’s going to be back in action sooner than we thought.
Up Next: Monday at 6.45 against Chelsea (NZT)
Chris Wood - Newcastle United (English Premier League)
There’s your weekly screenie of Chris Wood being subbed on for Newcastle United. This time away at Old Trafford against Manchester United. A team he has scored against a couple times for Burnley... but by the time he was introduced, as part of a triple change with a dozen minutes remaining, replacing Callum Wilson, it was Manchester United who were running the show and pushing for a winner (five mins earlier Marcus Rashford replaced Cristiano Ronaldo and that made a big different for United).
Wood toiled hard but it was mostly a defensive cameo. Only four touches and he didn’t complete a pass... though he did at one stage win a very valuable free kick protecting a clearance around halfway that eased some pressure, at least temporarily. There was a tackle won as well. Yet the unnoticed mahi paid off once more as Newcastle battled onwards for a pretty useful 0-0 draw to maintain their solid recent form. The goals disappeared this week (albeit they certainly had some chances earlier in the match) but the defence was as rock-solid as ever – Newcastle have conceded the fewest goals in the division through ten games.
He may not get big minutes for them but Chris Wood has featured in at least some part of all but one game – and that was the one immediately after getting subbed off hurt for the All Whites. That looks set to continue into the near future with Alexander Isak ruled out of Premier League action until after the World Cup. With two games to come in the space of a few days and Callum Wilson’s injury history what it is there’s a good chance Wood gets a start to discuss in next week’s edition. Keep a close eye on those Toon fixtures, folks.
Up Next: Newcastle vs Everton on Thurs at 7.30am, then Tottenham vs Newcastle on Mon at 4.30am (NZT)
Olivia Chance - Celtic FC (Scottish Premier League)
Quality display from Liv Chance in Celtic’s latest, getting the player of the match award in a 7-0 win despite not scoring and only assisting one of the goals. It was a slick assist, feeding Natalie Ross in the area to where she could turn and shoot. But that’s how you know you’ve been up to some excellent work, when your midfield exploits still get that kinda recognition ahead of all the goal scorers.
Seven goals without concession is another nice boost to Celtic’s goal difference with the top three scrapping for two Champions League spots (and one championship). Goal difference could be what splits them in the end. Particularly useful winning margin in a week where Rangers needed a Tessel Middag free kick to beat Hibernians 1-0. Vic Esson didn’t play that game as it was her turn to sit on the bench again. Rangers, like Celtic, have yet to concede a goal in the SWPL this season.
Also Meikayla Moore returned to the starters for Glasgow City in a 6-0 win over Hamilton Accies. She played 76 minutes before being subbed off with the result long since in hand. It was Moore’s pinpoint long ball from centre-back up towards Priscilla Chinchilla that led to PC winning a penalty in just the fourth minute to give them the lead and they never looked back. They scored from another penalty after 20 mins and their fifth goal was also a penalty - Lauren Davidson with all three of them, a hatty from the spot (unlike for the Ferns a few weeks back, Moore didn’t get to take these ones).
Katie Rood’s Hearts also had a lovely win, making it 4/4 for the kiwis in the SWPL. Although Roodie missed that game so no need for the details. With all the Champions League stuff polished off for the Scottish contingent, after Rangers lost in the final qualifying round (as written about here and here) it’s full steam ahead for domestic footy now. There’s a midweek round happening imminently. After seven games, Rangers lead with +40 goal difference. Celtic are now only just behind with +39. Glasgow City need to score a few more goals at +28... either that of simply beat the others head to head.
Up Next: Too many games to list, with all except Hearts playing on Thursday morning, though the one that really matters is Glasgow City vs Celtic on Monday at 5.10am – the first meeting of any of the big three this term (NZT)
Logan Rogerson & Ollie Whyte - FC Haka (Finnish Veikkausliiga)
The final round of the championship phase for FC Haka was basically a dead rubber. Couldn’t finish any higher or lower than they already were: fourth place. Both Rogerson and Whyte started as FC Honka took a 14th minute lead in some terrible conditions, looking absolutely freezing, though both the lads were well involved as Haka subsequently chased an equaliser.
Rogerson had a shot well saved after 53 mins. Then another a few mins later after winning the ball off the last defender on the press but he didn’t have enough room to beat the keeper. A 65th min strike was tipped over the bar by the goalie. Then he was almost through on goal on 68’ only for the ref to bring the play back for a foul (and, to be fair, a second yellow for the Honka dude). Haka’s leveller did finally arrive in the 87th minute thanks to Jude Arthur... though Whyte & Rogerson had both been subbed off just beforehand. 1-1 draw for the final score. A fourth-placed finish is the best the club has mustered since 2007 (having spent several of those years in the second division).
But the season’s not finished yet, no way. There’s still the small matter of Finland’s final European spot to settle. FC Haka, as the fourth placed team, will battle over two legs at the end of the month for a spot in the Europa Conference League early qualifiers. They’ll face whichever team advances over the next week from the rest of the playoffs. The other two teams from the champo round against the top two teams from the relegation round in straight semis and a final. Two more games left for Rogerson and Whyte to add to their goals+assist tallies and maybe book themselves a European excursion in the process.
Up Next: A week off to see who they play, then the fun stuff
Erin Nayler - Umeå IK (Swedish Damallsvenskan)
Wasn’t looking great when Umeå (and Erin Nayler) conceded after twenty minutes of their game against Djurgården. A mean cross flew into the area and with Tilde Lindwall left wide open six yards out for the header there was nothing Nayler was ever gonna be able to do about that.
But she didn’t concede again. Then teammate Anna Holm scored an unreal goal from distance in first half stoppage time and when Saara Kosolo nodded in smartly from a corner kick on 57’ suddenly UIK were in front. The next ten minutes involved some good saves and some even better defending from Umeå, who got through that spell and then got through the rest of the game to grab an absolutely massive 2-1 victory.
They’d lost five games in a row to tumble deeper and deeper into the relegation mire but this win gives them a genuine sight of safety with three games left. They’re two points behind Kalmar (the only team they can still catch) and one of their final games is against Brommapojkarna who are below them on the ladder. Still gotta sweat on results elsewhere - Kalmar also have a game left against one of the bottom two teams, those in the automatic relegation spots below the relegation playoff position that Umeå’s moved into with this win. But they’re a much better hope for having won this match.
Up Next: Eskilstuna vs UIK on Sunday/Monday at midnight (NZT)
Stefan Marinovic - Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israeli Premier League)
It’s a happy day at the office for a goalkeeper when the only times you see them in the highlights package are the pre-game handshakes and the post-game celebrations. Hapoel Tel Aviv still only won 2-0 against Maccabi Bnei Raina but two was enough, especially after four straight defeats. Took them an hour to finally score however they added a second soon after and thus claimed a comfortable enough clean sheet victory. Good yarns.
Up Next: Monday at 6.15am away to Hapoel Hadera (NZT)
Max Crocombe - Grimsby Town (English League Two)
Another fine performance from Max Crocombe for Grimsby Town. There’ve been a few of those lately but this one earned some division-wide recognition. Team of the Week honours, get some of that. This after Grimsby produced a fantastic counter-attacking display on their path to a 3-1 win away against Stockport County.
Goals for Harry Clifton (24’) and Gavin Holohan (30’) capped an energetic start as GT’s pace and press was a big part of both goals – as was some less than ideal defending from the home side in failing to clear both of them. Paddy Madden poached one back for Stockport before the break (41’) which made things funky and it was while it was 2-1 that Crocombe made a couple of supremely good stops to preserve the status quo. Then Stockport picked up a red card and Grimsby ended up adding a third with one of the last kicks of the game (Alex Hunt, 90+5’). That’s six away games without defeat for Grimsby now and Crocombe’s been right amongst all of them.
Max Crocombe: “It’s been nice to have a run in the team; I think it’s over 40 games now that I have started now, and I can’t thank the gaffer enough. He’s backed me and been a calming presence in the sense that he is not constantly checking over my shoulder and allowed me to get on with my game. He is the best manager I have worked under without a shadow of a doubt.
Over the last few years, I’ve had a lot of situations where I’ve been a part of an unsettled squad, and I’ve been one of the players to take the hit for it. It’s been frustrating, but now, [under Paul Hurst], I’ve been backed, and I think we’ve both reaped the rewards from that. Together as a club and myself individually, we’ve put together some really good performances and created unbelievable memories for the supporters. Already this season we’ve had a number of great results, particularly on the road, and that is something we want to keep going. It’s also nice to look back on last season to instil belief that we can do something like that again.”
Less exciting elsewhere in League Two for Wimbledon and Colchester who each suffered 1-0 defeats. Tommy Smith is still a long term absentee for Colchester but unfortunately it was a Nik Tzanev fumble that led to the goal that Wimbledon conceded. He did make a few killer saves later on to keep his side in the contest but they couldn’t find a goal.
Up Next: Grimsby vs Bradford on Sunday at 3am (NZT)
Andre De Jong – Royal AM (South African Premier Soccer League)
After a goalless draw in their CAF Confederation Cup second round qualifying first leg, Royal Am had the tough task of having to get something out of the subsequent trip to Zambia for their second leg against ZESCO United. Andre De Jong started that one, always good to see as despite some goal-scoring form early in the season he’s since fallen back in the pecking order.
However things were looking slippery when the home side took the lead after half an hour via Collins Sikombe. ADJ was then subbed off at half-time. That feels rather rude... granted the bloke who replaced him was Ruzaigh Gamildien who scored a 56th minute free kick to tie things back up again. No more goals were scored and therefore Royal AM scraped through thanks to the still-existent away goals rule. They’ve been handed another difficult task in the playoff round after being drawn against TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo who were CAF Champions League winners as recently as 2015.
Up Next: 6.30am on Thursday away to Swallows in the PSL (NZT)
Otto Ingham, Robert Sabo & Kees Sims - Ljungskile SK (Swedish Ettan Södra)
Good chat there from Simsy... who along with some nice things about settling into Swedish footy and all that also confirms his desire to play at the U20 World Cup next year. Sims wasn’t a part of the U19s qualifying squad that strolled through the Oceania champs as only one overseas based player was selected (Jay Herdman) but he’s probably the highest profile pro in line to be called up for the tournament itself (unless they can get Matt Dibley-Dias involved as is sounding more likely than it once did – MDD’s in the Fulham academy and is eligible for England, Brazil, Portugal, or Aotearoa... hence he’s got a choice to make).
On the pitch, LSK drew 1-1 with Oskarshamns this week. Sims and Sabo both started while Ingham was an unused substitute... plus Joel Stevens got ninety minutes for Oskarshamns. With three games remaining in the year it seems like fifth place is most likely for LSK. Either way they won’t get top two for a shot at promotion... but it’s been a strong first professional campaign for all three of these dudes, Sims most of all (although the goal he conceded this week was one he’ll want back – highlights here).
Joel Stevens meanwhile has played pretty regularly for Oskars (15 starts, 8 sub apps) albeit only scoring one goal so far... though as a team they’ve barely scored one goal per game so not sure you can blame him. Oskarshamns are only one spot above a relegation playoff but they should be safe from that fate.
Up Next: Olympic vs Ljungskile at midnight on Friday/Saturday (NZT)
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