Flying Kiwis – June 14
Sarpreet Singh - Bayern Munich (German Bundesliga)
Big yarns boiling in the Flying Kiwis Transfer Season pot as Sarpreet Singh was, according to reports in Germany, on the brink of a permanent move to Werder Bremen. The same club that he made his Bundesliga debut against back in December 2019 and the same club that one of his major mentors Wynton Rufer won the German title with in 1992-93 (and also tied for the European Cup golden boot one year), scoring 59 goals in 174 games.
Until this happened...
So, maybe not then. They didn’t even get as far as a proper medical, they just gave his current injury a hefty go-over and didn’t like what they saw. Basically Werder’s experts determined was that he wouldn’t be available to play in full capacity for another 3-4 months which means missing all of preseason as well as the start of the proper stuff and that was a deal breaker, apparently. Singh will instead remain in Munich where he’ll continue his rehabilitation.
Rewind a few days, and this appeared to be a done deal. Reports suggested that fee somewhere in the range of €350-400k with a four year contract on the cards. Werder Bremen were relegated two years ago so they got a good close look at him on loan for SSV Jahn Regensburg when he scored and assisted in a 3-2 loss back in December. Missed the second meeting with his pelvic bone inflammation injury though (Werder won 2-0) so it’s not like Werder weren’t aware of his situation – he literally hasn’t played since hence their CEO hinting at this move being all but confirmed a few days back, in hindsight, looks a little odd now. Though the problem is less that he’s injured now and more how long he’s anticipated to stay injured.
Werder went on to finish second and earn automatic promotion straight back up to the top flight. As such they’ve been hard at work trying to bulk out their squad, having already signed three new players prior to the Singh chat. Presumably expanding their tactical options because the way Werder set up under coach Ole Werner last season tended to involve a 3-5-2 formation in which there isn’t an obvious fit for Singh, who spent the majority of his Regensburg days playing as a winger. There isn’t a winger in that formation. You can’t use him as a wing-back because that’s too defensive. There isn’t a ten in this shape. He could play as an eight but that’s not entirely his bag. Nor is playing as a centre-forward.
But in a funny way being back in the Bundesliga means Werder can afford to take more risks. It may be a higher level against better teams but in the second tier the pressure was on to win game after game and earn promotion. In the Bundesliga the aim will initially be to simply avoid relegation, allowing more room for development and tactical flexibility. And, like, let’s be honest, they wouldn’t have tried to sign a player they didn’t have a plan for, would they?
All that adds up to make this a damned shame for Sarpreet. He’s got one year left on his Bayern contract but is unlikely to take that further as things stand. Impressing on loan in the second tier and cracking matchday squads for one of the very best teams in all of Europe are not the same thing. Bayern are onto their third manager since Singh was signed and are stacked with world class players in all positions.
Thus he was always either going to go out on loan next season or be sold on a permanent. He’s dominated at the third tier with Bayern reserves. He’s dominated at the second tier (at the second time of asking) with Regensburg. Next step is to get steady football in Germany’s top flight and Werder Bremen had that to offer but unfortunately the injury’s proved to be a decisive barrier.
Okay then, what now? The fact that Werder were so keen on him is still a good sign and although a 3-4 month lay-off would take him past the end of the transfer window there’s always January. If they wanted him before then they may well still want him after. There’s also the possibility that he gets to showcase his abilities to a wider audience in November at the World Cup, just saying (touch wood).
It’s a rough setback. But it is what it is. He’ll chill within the Bayern stocks for a while longer, maybe play a few comeback games for the reserves down the leagues, and eventually reassess things – this is where having that extra year under contract comes in handy. Right now he’s injured though and everything else stays on hold until that pesky issue is no longer a factor.
Up Next: Just gotta get fit
Abby Erceg – North Carolina Courage (American National Women’s Soccer League)
The Courage are quickly proving that their losing streak to begin the NWSL was merely a blip on the radar as a clear up of their covid issues, the return from injury of a key player or two, and a bit more room in their fixture schedule has seen them surge back into form. And when the North Carolina Courage are in form, these are the kinds of things that can happen...
Abby Erceg on the scoresheet in familiar style. Yes please. Towering header from a corner. This is her first of the NWSL season though she did score in the Challenge Cup earlier in the year. It’s her eighth career goal in the NWSL which takes her past Rosie White’s tally for the most ever by a New Zealander in that league.
It was also a pretty timely goal, coming five minutes after the second half got underway. The Courage had scored early away to Washington Spirit (the same team they edged out in the Challenge Cup final) as Brianna Pinto played in the lightning fast Kerolin from halfway and the Brazilian striker whipped it past the keeper with a sharp finish for a wonderful goal. That in the sixth minute of the match. Quite a way for Kerolin to take revenge after being injured in that CC final.
This was the Spirit’s fifth game in 16 days so huge for the Courage to get out in front early where they could control the game against a tired opposition, albeit one that certainly offered plenty of attacking scares in that first half, particularly through Trinity Rodman who cut inside past Erceg on 19’ and unleashed a shot that keeper Casey Murphy tipped onto the crossbar. But then early seconds and Erceg doubled the lead getting up highest to head home that Carson Pickett corner kick cross. Things were looking sweet.
Until Ashley Sanchez converted in the 74th min after a lovely lay-off in the area and a couple mins later Emily Sonnett won a penalty and Ashley Hatch put it away on 79’. Just like that it was 2-2. Now it was the Courage who were holding on against a heap of pressure, away from home. Erceg and the squad repelling cross after cross as they scraped by.
Then a minute into stoppage time NCC won a free kick just within crossing range. Erceg timed her run perfectly to take a touch on the end of the dropping delivery and stabbed at goal for a possible winner. That shot was saved but Kaleigh Kurtz was there to gobble up the leftovers. The Courage win it 3-2 thanks to a 92nd minute clincher from Kurtz. Blew a 2-0 lead but still got the points in the end.
Feels like that deserves an assist for Abby Erceg but alas the NWSL aren’t so kind. Still, she scored with her first shot and her second shot led to the match-winner so can’t argue with that. Annoyingly the Courage remain last on the ladder as Kansas City were able to notch a win but there are now four teams only one point ahead of NCC and they’ve got at least two games in hand on the lot of them. The surge is on.
Oh and needless to say...
Up Next: Home to Houston Dash on Monday at 9am (NZT)
Ali Riley - Angel City FC (American National Women’s Soccer League)
Little bit of a thriller here as Angel City added another win to their tally, with late drama equal to the NC Courage match. ACFC took on Racing Louisville away in Kentucky and found themselves trailing after 29 minutes as Gemma Bonner diverted a hard low free kick shot from Savannah DeMelo. Turned it home from close range and managed to avoid the offside shouts from the ACFC defence.
However they weren’t too long in offering up a response. 36th minute and central defender Megan Reid lobbed one forward from deep which Christen Press ran onto, too quick to defend, and finished coolly for 1-1. Louisville should have retaken the lead straight away but for a poor finish and a good save, DiDi Haracic saving the blushes of Paige Neilsen who’d been tackled just outside her own penalty area. Then ACFC got themselves in front mere minutes into the second spell as Christen Press produced more magic and Savannah McCaskill chested the ball home from a yard or two out.
But Press’ night ended early when she had to be carried off the pitch with a knee injury and the home team equalised pretty much straight afterwards on 65’ as Nadia Nadim scored from the penalty spot. A foul by Reid leading to that spot kick. All things considered, Ali Riley’s team probably would have taken a draw at that stage. Yet in the end there was no need to settle as Angel City won a late, late penalty of their own and McCaskill buried it for the 93rd minute winner. 3-2 to ACFC. Get in.
Sadly it has since been confirmed that they’ve Christen Press to an ACL injury though, which rules her out of the rest of the season and leaves them short a world class striker. That’s brutal.
Up Next: Sunday at 2pm away to OL Reign (NZT)
Max Mata – Sligo Rovers (League of Ireland Premier Division)
Max Mata has been out injured for about a month with a calf injury but he made his return this weekend in a friendly game against Cork City and ah yes look at that he scored a goal. Excellent work. An equaliser very early in the second half, with Cork having scored in the eighth minute. Not much further info to report, nor any video, as this was very much a practice match. But still good to get back out there and find the back of the net.
It’s been an international window thus Nando Pijnaker is away with the All Whites. Also hence the practice game. Rovers get back into the serious fixtures again next week which is just in time with Max Mata back into the swing of things. In the meantime he’s also had a chat with the club website if you fancy a perusal.
Max Mata: “I’ve scored three goals and we had a decent start to the season and have a good bunch of players here and a good staff and there are a lot of good people working for the club as well. I enjoy the whole community in Sligo because everyone knows everyone and that’s quite cool. I know I have to keep working hard and give 100% effort and hopefully take my chance when it comes and help the team to win matches. Those who watch football don’t watch training and only get to see you and what you can do when you play. Being out on the pitch is the most fun thing in life, nothing beats playing football. It’s all I want to do. I want to play more international football but getting picked for the squad is predominantly based on form so that means I have to find my feet here and start scoring lots of goals which will give me the best chance to back into the squad which is definitely something that I want to do.”
Up Next: Sligo Rovers vs Finn Harps, Sunday at 6.45am (NZT)
Ally Green - Vålerenga (Norwegian Toppserien)
It’s been two and a half months since the A-League Women’s season ended and it was only about a week or two after that when Ally Green was announced to have signed with Vålerenga. She’s been over in Norway for most of that time yet week after week has gone by with no sign of her on the teamsheet. Now we know why: pesky visa issues holding up her registration. The bloody paperwork. But that’s finally all been sorted now and say would you look at this...
There’s that long awaited debut. Off the bench for the last 25 mins away against Røa, subbed on wearing the number 17 jersey to replace Norwegian international defender Andrine Tomter. Vålerenga were already 3-0 up thanks to a strong first half and they scored a fourth immediately before Green entered the match. Stine Brekker and Elise Thorsnes each with a brace.
So a conveniently pressure-free environment in which to make a debut. Getting things up and running after a long wait. VIF are the same club that CJ Bott spent two seasons with, where she won a league title and two domestic cups as well as playing Champions League. No UCL this year after a poor league term in 2021 but they’re on track to return next time around - currently sitting second on the ladder, five points behind Brann with a game in hand. Everything to play for over the remaining couple months of the season.
Up Next: Could be a great chance for a starting debut on Thursday at 4am away to lower tier Amazon Grimstad in the Norwegian Cup; then crunch Toppserien game away against third-placed Rosenborg on Sunday at 3am (NZT)
Erin Nayler - Umeå IK (Swedish Damallsvenskan)
This week was about as tough as it gets for Umeå. Two games in a week and they were against the first and second placed teams in the country. This for a team whose only target is to avoid relegation. That task will come into sharper focus the rest of the way but not before they had to go through the fire against Linköping and Rosengård.
Linköping were first, Thursday morning NZT, and Umeå did actually have a great chance to take an early lead except Tuva Skoog put her effort over the top trying to lob the keeper on the bounce after getting in behind the defence. Pretty soon afterwards they were losing as Amaile Vansgaard tapped in from a square ball that took Erin Nayler out of the mix. Nayler did get a call in her favour as a Linköping goal from a corner was denied for a foul (pretty soft but you take ‘em wherever you can get ‘em). However Vansgaard supplied her second of the day a couple mins before the half after another low cross that Umeå couldn’t prevent.
The remainder of the match was a quieter event but every now and then Umeå did forge another ball in behind the defensive line which threatened to cause some trouble, albeit the oppo keeper was quick off her line to deal with most of them. Then right at the end Linköping’s Stina Lennartsson smashed a shot at Nayler from a tight angle which snuck through for 3-0. One that Nayler should’ve saved though inconsequential in terms of the result. 3-0 final score. Decent battling performance from UIK. Highlights.
Which might have set them up nicely for Rosengård... but that’s not how it worked out. Umeå didn’t really have it on the quick turnaround. They went behind after nine mins to what was, in fairness, a belter of a strike from Katrine Veje going in low of the post from distance. Umeå hung tight until the 44th minute but those stretches either side of the break were killers.
Nayler got her angles wrong coming out for a chip over the top which Olivia Schough finished smoothly on 44’. Then two mins into the second stanza Sofie Bredgaard curled in a slick finish off her left before Loreta Kullashi made it four on 52’ with a shot from just outside the area which took a deflection into the top corner. Unlucky but it was Rosengård creating all the chances and they’d even score a fifth late on through an own goal. Nayler had it covered until the ball hit a defender and went in. At least Umeå did manage to score twice inside the last five minutes, making the 5-2 defeat look a little better. More highlights.
Up Next: Unfortunately they’ve gotta play Linköping again on Sunday at 11pm... but it does get easier after that, promise (NZT)
Betsy Hassett - Stjarnan (Icelandic Úrvalsdeild Kvenna)
A resounding cup quarter-final win for the Stars. Exactly what they were bargaining for. Away against IBV they scored twice inside the first dozen minutes to take a decisive lead and then after adding a third ten mins into the second half they were pretty much home and dried. Betsy Hassett even got a rest as they subbed her off for the last quarter of an hour (despite IBV having pulled a goal back). Stjarnan would add another before the day was done to win it 4-1 and advance to the semis. Jasmin Erla Ingadottir with a hat-trick while Gyda Kristin Gunnarsdottir got the other.
Stjarnan were runners-up in the League Cup earlier in the year and Betsy Hassett was a runner up in this same Icelandic Cup back in 2019 when she was playing for KR. She did win the English League Cup with Manchester City in 2014 and the Dutch KNVB Cup with Ajax in 2016-17 too so she does have her share of medals, don’t worry about that. But surely we’re due another one by now.
Up Next: Away to Keflavik on Weds at 7.15am and then home to IBV on Monday at 4.15am (NZT)
Jacqui Hand - Åland United (Finnish Kansallinen Liiga)
Not much going on here. Probably wouldn’t even get a mention in a regularly stocked week but it’s a quieter spell for the Flying Kiwis at the moment so might as well tell ya that Åland United ran into title favourites KuPS this week and gone went their unbeaten streak. That was the first goal that KuPS scored. They ended up with four bangers all up, a 4-0 result. Jacqui Hand was subbed after 57 mins just before the fourth was scored. Breaks an eight game run without a loss that stretches back to... the last time they played KuPS back in early April.
Up Next: Saturday at 11.30pm away to NJS (NZT)
Niko Kirwan – Calcio Padova (Italian Serie C)
Let’s just say that Niko Kirwan had better go well with the All Whites in their World Cup qualifier because otherwise it’s gonna have been a heartbreaking week for the lad. This after his Calcio Padova team were unable to overturn a 1-0 home defeat in the away leg of their Serie C promotion playoff final. Went down 1-0 in the return match as well with a 25th minute penalty scored by Matteo Brunori doing the damage.
Kirwan played the majority of games for Padova over this campaign, including every minute of the four previous playoff games, but international duty came calling so he missed the two-legged finale. Padova still had the quality to get the result they were after but they began slowly against Palermo in that second leg, under early pressure, and then a handball penalty left them down 2-0 on aggregate and sadly they could not find a way back into the tie.
There were a few sighters, particularly in the spell after conceding when Padova responded with a bit of steel... but again they were on the back foot to start the second half and then on 55 mins things got even worse as a VAR review led to a red card for Padova captain Ronaldo Pompeu da Silva. They spent most of the rest of the match simply trying not to concede again, let alone scoring the two goals they needed to save themselves. 1-0 final score, 2-0 on aggregate. Calcio Padova will remain in Serie C next term.
Gutted. They won the Serie C League Cup but finished second in their conference and second in the playoffs. Narrowly missing out on promotion on both counts. Kirwan started 27 league matches as well as making another 7 apps off the bench. He scored 4 goals and earned 10 yellow cards. Very much established himself as a first choice player by the end of the season. Chances are an extra wing-back wouldn’t have made a difference but he’ll still be bummed to have had to watch from afar. World Cup qualification would probably make him forget those worries in a hurry though, just being honest there.
Up Next: All Whites vs Costa Rica, Wednesday at 6am, World Cup qualifying intercontinental playoff (NZT)
Max Crocombe - Grimsby Town (English League Two)
Good news here as immediately after an absolutely thrilling playoff run that took Grimsby Town back up into the EFL’s League Two, they’ve done their end of season contract housekeeping and confirmed that Max Crocombe’s contract option has been activated. Presumably one of those minimum appearance clause things. So he’ll be there as they return to the Football League.
Crocombe joined Grimsby at the start of the term after a couple years in the A-League for Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory. Initially he was seen as a stronger backup for club veteran James McKeown but by the midway point of the term he’d ousted McKeown and would start the rest of the way including a few starring moments in the playoffs. Love it from Max.
Kinda fascinating times for kiwi male goalkeepers at the moment. This has all been covered in Flying Kiwis (and our Substack mailers) in recent times but Nik Tzanev is under contract at AFC Wimbledon and so will probably be playing against Max Crocombe next term. Stefan Marinovic is a free agent after his Israeli club were relegated. Oli Sail is still contracted up with the Wellington Phoenix but there’s an expectation he could seek a move to Europe if a team’s willing to pay a fee. Jamie Searle has been released by Swansea City’s U23 team. Matt Gould has re-upped with Altrincham. Plenty of moving parts there.
Up Next: Time to exhale...
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