Flying Kiwis – August 23
Vic Esson - Rangers FC (Scottish Premier League)
It’s a Champions League kinda week for Flying Kiwis. Having gone deep on Europa Conference League qualifiers these past few editions, today the headliners are straight out of the UCL qualifiers – both men’s and especially women’s. Starting with Vic Esson who started for Rangers – which in itself was a pleasant development. Esson had been on the bench for the first SWPL game as incumbent Jenna Fife wore the gloves (after they’d rotated duties in preseason) but game two saw Esson picked and then Esson again appeared on the teamsheet for their first Champions League qualifier.
The UCLW first round of qualifying splits all the teams into groups of four where single-legged semis and finals (plus third/fourth playoffs for some reason... probably to make the trip more worthwhile) took place over the weekend. Rangers were in Greece for their group. Tourney hosts PAOK beat Swansea City (Wales) 2-0 in one semi. Rangers faced Ferencváros (Hungary) in the other semi.
Rangers looked sharp. Really well organised, especially at the back, with some class passing angles and quick-touch intent working their way up the pitch many a-time. That meant that Vic Esson had a simpler afternoon than it might have been. There was a moment early where her defender Kathryn Hill shielded a striker off in the hope of Esson coming out to collect the ball, only Esson didn’t move and there was a bit of arm waving in the wake of that. But otherwise Esson was confident and assured against the high ball and various crosses, positive in playing the ball out from the back, and didn’t face a shot on target in the entire first half. She did have to deal with a ball-kid accidentally letting a second ball on the pitch whilst she was trying to protect her net though...
Further up the field, it was a stuttering game with heaps of set pieces breaking up the rhythm. Hence it was somewhat against the run of play when Rangers hurled a ball into the penalty area and drew a foul on 13 mins. Jenny Danielsson took care of that for 1-0... then she scored a second right at the start of the second half. No less than they deserved as leading into the break another goal had felt like an inevitability. Rangers then hit the crossbar on 64’.
But they let the Hungarians back into the game on 68’ when an RFC defender misplayed a ball over the top to allow Shameeka Fishley to slice inwards and then beat Esson 1v1 with a perfect finish in off the post. A rare mistake at the back from Rangers. Nothing VE could do about it. Thankfully a couple more quality interventions from Esson kept things calm and then Brogan Hay scored in the 89th to seal it. Kirsty Howat had missed two 1v1s in a short space of time for the Scots but Hay followed up the second and there ya go. 3-1 final score as Rangers beat Ferencváros on Friday morning NZT and advanced to face PAOK on Monday morning NZT for a place in the second and final UCLW qualifying round.
Moving on to that Monday morning clash, there was reasonable doubt as to whether Esson would start against PAOK or if they were saving Fife for that occasion. But nah no dramas there was Vic Esson walking out in her 22 jersey ready to go as they prepared for kickoff – big game player in a big game. Right on.
From the start PAOK had trouble dealing with Rangers’ quick and disciplined style and a majority of the footy was played in the home side’s defensive half. Vic Esson only touched the ball once in the first ten minutes... but then a bouncing ball at the back fell for PAOK’s Esse Akida who smacked a volley off the crossbar so clearly the Greek side weren’t without some serious danger. They’d also hit the post later on from a corner (albeit one that never looked like going in).
Meanwhile Rangers weren’t exactly carving out the clearest of chances. The best stuff they did in the first half came from set pieces and hints of mistakes from the PAOK keeper. Still 0-0 at the break... but then the difference between a steady gloveswoman and an unsteady gloveswoman became clear. 50th minute of the match and RFC captain Nicola Docherty wasn’t even trying to shoot. She was just lobbing a second phase ball back into the area and PAOK’s goalie initially came forward to meet it, realised she wasn’t going to get there, except she’d come out too far to recover and the ball bounced over her head and into the net. 1-0 to Rangers, that crucial opening goal.
From them onwards it was a different story. Seven mins later they had a second. Long wait for them to take a free kick but eventually Chelsea Cornet whipped in a fine cross perfectly into the path of Hannah Davidson’s run and her header was all class for 2-0. Then they added a third on 70’ as a deep, looping corner kick from Lizzie Arnot drifted very close to the goal and was hacked over her own line by Maria Papaioannou. Arnot would made it four after 86 minutes with a goal of her own after the PAOK goalie had spilled an easy one.
Esson did have to punch away a corner in the first half but otherwise didn’t really have a shot to save. Quality under the high ball again and she didn’t waste a single pass playing out from the back. Really reliable. Got that Champions League qualifying clean sheet in what ended up being a comfortable win. 4-0 final score. Rangers advance to a two-legged playoff for a spot in the group stages.
Their opponents in that second qualifying round... they’ll find that out in a week but it’ll be one out of: Slavia Prague (Czechia), Rosengård (Sweden), Juventus (Italy), St Pölten (Austria), Zürich (Switzerland), Vllaznia (Albania), or Benfica (Portugal). Daisy Cleverley’s HB Køge are also on the unseeded side of the draw so they’ll face one of those seven teams as well.
Up Next: Gotta play the league game they were supposed to play this past weekend against Hearts (and Katie Rood) on Thursday at 7am; also got Hamilton Accies on Monday at 1am (NZT)
Indiah-Paige Riley - Fortuna Hjørring (Danish Kvindeligaen)
Fortuna Hjørring had the privilege of hosting their mini-tournament... but alas that didn’t keep them from a shocking start against Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany). A strong team from a strong league and FH weren’t gonna get away with any sloppiness. Frankfurt, in contrast, began at a hundred miles and hour and after a procession of corner kicks they took the lead on the quarter-hour as the initial delivery was punched clear only for Lara Prašnikar to volley home on the rebound. Then three minutes later Maria Ficzay had to attack an aerial cross at the back for FH but didn’t catch the header well enough, so instead of fizzing away to safety it whipped into her own net. 18 mins gone and Eintracht Frankfurt were up 2-0.
Indiah-Paige Riley operated in a right wing-back position for Fortuna Hjørring and to be fair a lot of their best stuff came with quick interplay down her sideline. One-touch passes and the like. It was tough mahi for Riley having to get back in defence and also somehow provide the main width on attack but she did her job commendably enough.
Whether it was because EF cooled off with their lead or not, Fortuna Hjørring did get way better after the first twenty mins. Could hardly say they were on top but they were at least much more evenly matched and were able to avoid any more notable Frankfurt chances for the rest of that half. Frankfurt did come back out and hit the post five mins into the second stanza though. Indi Riley was subbed off after 64 minutes. Doesn’t really matter what happened after that. The poor first twenty was the diffo as FH fell to a 2-0 defeat to end their hopes of returning to the Champions League group stage (after getting there two years ago).
For some reason they have third and fourth placed playoffs in these mini-comps, probably to make the travel a little more worth it, so Fortuna Hjørring then faced off with Kristianstads (Sweden) in a consolation game. Indi Riley again played right wing-back, this time lasting until second half stoppage time before she was replaced.
FH scored first as Camilla Larsen finished strongly with her right foot from the edge of the box on 16’. Ten mins later Kristianstads equalised when Gabrielle Carle finished off at the back post after Riley hadn’t quite been able to prevent a low cross. Maria Ficzay’s 66th min header from a corner put Fortuna back into the lead but they couldn’t hold it as Amanda Andradottir equalised on 73’. Both times they scored, they conceded within ten mins. The game went to extra time. Gabriella Carle scored with five to go for a 3-2 Kristianstads win. Ah well.
Up Next: Danish Cup second round away to ASA Aarhus on Thursday at 4am then it’s away to HB Køge – and Daisy Cleverley – on Sunday at 4am (NZT)
Meikayla Moore – Glasgow City (Scottish Premier League)
Exciting days. One of the highlights of Moore joining Glasgow City was a chance to get amongst some Champions League footy and here that was. Glasgow City hosted their mini-tourney and were up against Italian club Roma in the semis. Meikayla Moore named to start. So how’d it go?
Well they conceded in the 12th minute as Benedetta Glionna managed to cut inside three defenders with one move and then pick her spot. But against a quality Roma team, with several Italian internationals, Glasgow City hung in nicely and, following a sliding interception at the back from Moore, were able to sneak their way out of pressure at the back and flow forward leading to a 20th minute own goal equaliser. Moeka Minami turning a cross into her own net.
That’s the way it remained well into the second half although it was definitely Roma applying a lot more pressure – however Moore did have one great chance to put her team into the lead as a free kick dropped her way late first half but the ball wouldn’t come down quick enough and her volley went over the top. Roma then smashed one off the bar early second stanza and on 59’ the Romans finally retook the lead. Slick move culminating in Glionna scoring again. Still an open game at that stage... but a Paloma Lazaro goal with ten to play as Glasgow got stuck playing out from the back in a rush put an end to those hopes. 3-1 to Roma was the final score. Ah well, so it goes.
Roma advanced to the final where they beat Paris FC (France) on penalties after a 0-0 draw. Meanwhile Glasgow City faced Servette (Switzerland) in their consolation game. With nothing on the line, they made six changes to the starters to give as many girls a go as possible. Meikayla Moore was one of those rested yet she did come on for the final fifteen minutes - soon after GC thought they’d scored the opener only for Kinga Kozak’s effort to be chalked off because of a high boot against the keeper (who was diving at her feet). Genuinely harsh decision, especially with Kozak getting booked.
Thus Moore was out there in the 92nd minute as a cross bounced awkwardly in front of her and she wasn’t able to get her body in position to block it. The ball glanced off her hip and a Servette striker dipped in to score the winner when everyone was busy getting ready for extra time. 1-0 defeat. A meaningless game though still would have been nice to win. Ah well, so it goes.
Up Next: Catchup league game against Dundee United at 6.45am Thurs; then home to Aberdeen at 1am on Mon (NZT)
Marko Stamenic – FC København (Danish Superliga)
It was only a short cameo at the very end but this was a significant moment for Marko Stamenic. A continental debut, getting the last couple minutes of a Champions League qualifier at home to Trabzonspor of Turkey. Stamenic was named on a 12-man bench – plenty of room for everybody after he’d missed the cut for the last two Superliga games (9-man benches) – and got his summons soon after Rasmus Falk had been poked in the eye. Falk seemed okay to continue but they replaced him anyway.
Stamenic settled into a slightly more forward-ranging position than he’s been used to. Zeca is back fit and playing CDM these days so when Stamenic immediately won a tackle in midfield he was free to make a direct run into the penalty area for a potential cross. He also gave away a very soft foul. Made sure he got back in defence. And... then the final whistle went. Again, just a short cameo.
The important thing is that FCK won. They’ll take a 2-1 lead into the away leg in Turkey although in all honesty it should have been a bigger lead. Viktor Claesson had given them a wonderful start with a ninth minute goal (assisted by Falk). Copenhagen were looking good and on 48’ they finally found a second as Lukas Lerager poked in at the back stick after a Denis Vavro flick-on from a corner. They were rolling... but they never got that third goal and with ten mins left Anastasios Bakasetas took a pop from distance that caught a big deflection and beat Aussie keeper Mathew Ryan (recently signed by FCK and on debut here) to make it 2-1.
No dramas with seeing it out for the win from there but they could come to regret leaving that tie dangling there with only a one-goal margin. Turkey is a tough place to go and play. Remember that the winner of this tie advances to the Champions League group stages – somewhere that no New Zealand male has gone since Chris Killen way back in 2008 when he was at Celtic. The loser of the tie hits up the Europa League group stagers.
Stamenic didn’t make the cut for the Superliga game on the weekend. That’s the way of it when you’re a youth grad trying to crack the first team. All goods. FCK cruised to a 3-0 win away to Lyngby thanks to goals for Viktor Claesson (15’ & 52’) as well as a Pep Biel penalty (49’). Took control of the match in those early second half stages and then ensured they finally kept their first clean sheet of the campaign after that. They’ll need that defensive stability for the second leg against Trabzonspor.
Up Next: Away to Trabzonspor on Thursday at 7am in the UCL qualifying playoff round... then also they’ve got Nordsjælland away on Monday at 2am to follow (NZT)
Alex Greive - St Mirren (Scottish Premiership)
On ya, son. Alex Greive only entered St Mirren’s match away to Dundee United in the 86th minute but that was still enough time for him to score his first goal of the season. The third goal on the day to put the finishing touches on a fine win (against an admittedly rank Dundee side). Greive had gone close a couple times in League Cup play earlier, probably feel he should’ve already had a goal or two prior to this, so good thing he’s off the mark now.
This game was weirdly stacked with Australians. St Mirren signed Keanu Baccus in the offseason to go with Ryan Strain who was already there. Both started this match. Then Dundee United had Aziz Behich at fullback to go with Mark Birighitti on the bench (having been dropped after conceding 11 goals in his last two matches – though he might be back in soon judging by what his replacement did for that Greive goal).
None of those jerries scored a goal like the lone bloke from Aotearoa though. Englishman Curtis Main instead bagged a double with one on either side of half-time. It was Main that Greive subbed in for on his way to his own goal. 3-0 the final score, sweet as.
That’s back to back wins to nil for St Mirren. After their awful start to the season perhaps they’re beginning to figure things out. The two teams they’ve beaten (Ross County & Dundee Utd) are below them on the ladder so tougher tasks are to come... but this way’s much better than not beating those teams.
Up Next: Saints vs Hibernian on Sunday at 2am (NZT)
Marco Rojas – Colo-Colo (Chilean Primera División)
Starting debut for the fella. Marco Rojas was always being primed for the cup game against Ñublense and the fact that he came off the bench to set up the winner against Palestino was just a matter of circumstance. Thus there he was on the right wing as the Colocinos got things underway in the Copa Chile round of sixteen first leg away from home. As planned. You love to see it.
However he didn’t really get up to much in the hour that he was out there before being replaced by Leonardo Gil (as part of a triple change). A couple nice passes and a pair of off target shots. Lost possession a few times but did put in a shift defensively which’ll impress his coach. Colo-Colo took the lead with quarter of an hour to go as Juan Martin Lucero finished off a good look... but Ñublense then buried two in the remaining time to win the leg 2-1. Both were soft goals to concede coming after deep free kicks.
Rojas was back to the bench for the second leg at home but with the game still scoreless he was chucked on at half-time to try and provide the goal that his team needed to level out the aggregate score. Instead they conceded from another free kick. This time a direct banger. Great goal from Fernando Cordero.
That meant it was 3-1 to Ñublense overall with only half an hour remaining. Colo-Colo did get one back on 78’ as Maximiliano Falcon smacked in a low strike from just outside the box. Rojas had some smooth touches. He also got smashed more than once. Couldn’t inspire his team to another goal though and the 1-1 draw means they’re out of the Copa Chile, going down 3-2 on aggregate to Ñublense. Bugger. But some useful signs for Marco Rojas who will (fingers crossed) be a regular for Colo-Colo from here on out.
Up Next: Monday at 9.30am away to Union La Calera (NZT)
Chris Wood - Newcastle United (English Premier League)
There’s your weekly screenshot of Chris Wood being subbed on for Newcastle United. Ideally he’d be getting starts but hey we know what the situation is. At least he’s managing to feature in all these games. And you may notice in that top left hand corner that this week he got on a fair bit earlier than he usually does. No mere couple-minute cameo, no sir/madam. Twenty decent minutes against the defending champions.
This was a crazy game – which might be why Wood was summoned when he was, in order to try and apply a bit more control for his team. Despite Ilkay Gundogan giving Manchester City the lead in just the fifth minute of the match, and Newcastle looking like they may be on the verge of a hiding, the Magpies began to figure things out after about twenty minutes and drew level through Miguel Almiron on 28’. Initially ruled offside but the VAR let him have it.
Ten mins later Callum Wilson scored a gorgeous striker’s goal. The movement, the touch, the finish. That’s why he’s always gonna start ahead of The Woodsman when they’re both competing for one position. No shame in that. But that wasn’t all because the best was yet to come when Kieran Trippier scored a rip-snorter of a free kick in the 54th minute. Magical stuff from Newcastle who were 3-1 up against Manchester City putting the fans at St James Park into raptures.
However City being City, they promptly fought back. Erling Haaland (60’) and then Bernardo Silva (64’) with a couple swift goals to tie things back up again. About five minutes later Chris Wood and Sean Longstaff were both chucked on by manager Eddie Howe in an attempt to steady the ship.
You can make a strong case that it worked too. The Woodsman threw himself about and held the ball up almost flawlessly. In fact he didn’t only hold it up, he even won it back with three loose ball recoveries. Plus he was leading the close-outs from the front and also getting back and winning headers too. A tireless and selfless cameo to please the gaffer.
Wood didn’t get up to much in terms of attacking output but Newcastle were firmly in protection mode by then... probably explaining the mindset behind Kieran Trippier’s ridiculous challenge on a counter attacking Kevin De Bruyne which was initially given as a red card but then the ref strangely decided to downgrade it to a yellow after the VAR intervened.
Even with eleven men that point still needed plenty of earning. Haaland poked a decent chance over the top, Phil Foden had a couple looks, there were corner kicks, Bernardo had a shot blocked towards the end. But Newcastle managed things nicely to hold on for that invigorating 3-3 draw.
Fun fact: this was the tenth time that Chris Wood has played against Manchester City. Five starts, five subs (never played ninety mins against them). And in those other nine games his team, either Burnley or Newcastle, has lost every single one of them with a goal ratio of 1 scored and 33 conceded. Not even joking. Now here was a cheeky 3-3 draw. First time he’s ever gotten a positive result against Man City.
That could be the start of a lovely week for Woodsy too because you know what’s coming up in a few days? EFL Cup, baby! Newcastle United are away to League Two club Tranmere Rovers in what’s surely gonna mean some squad rotation. A chance for blokes like Chris Wood to get some bigger minutes... and potentially a couple goals too.
Also, word on the street is that Newcastle are on the verge of signing João Pedro, a 20yo Brazilian forward currently at Watford. Don’t worry too much about that. Newcastle’s plan has always been to sign a young striker capable of playing out wide in the hopes of adding some versatility as well as a player who can develop down the line (they wanted Hugo Ekitike but he signed with PSG instead). This move seems to fit that mould exactly. João Pedro will not be seen as an immediate rival to Wilson/Wood and you can be damn sure that João Pedro is not the bloke that Eddie Howe is gonna turn to with twenty to play against Man City when seeking to hold onto a 3-3 draw.
Up Next: Tranmere Rovers in the EFL Cup, set the alarm for 6.45am on Thursday (NZT)
Jacqui Hand - Åland United (Finnish Kansallinen Liiga)
First of all, Jacqui Hand’s been nominated for Midfielder of the Month for the Kansallinen. Seems like a pretty big deal. Also a big deal was that Åland United were twice able to come from behind against PK-35 Vantaa in order to come away with a very important point against the team directly ahead of them on the ladder.
And how did they earn that draw, you ask? Well first Olivia Ulenius cancelled out an earlier PK-35V strike to keep up her recent scoring surge. Easy finish after Kit Loferski had broken the line out right and squared it over to her – Jacqui Hand with the ball that sent Loferski into all that space. Then after Wilma Forsblom had put the home side back into the lead on 72’ it was up to Kit Loferski ten mins later to run through and level it back up. Of course, she couldn’t have done so without this majestic through ball from Jacqui Hand...
Yeah, that’ll add to the Midfielder of the Month cause for sure. Make that 5 goals and 3 assists for Hand since joining Åland United – who have one more game to play before the championship rounds begin. They won’t catch KuPS or HJK who are both on big winning streaks but third place is absolutely within their grasp. Oh and they’ve also got a cup final to play in six weeks’ time, don’t forget.
Up Next: Åland vs Honka at 3am on Sunday (NZT)
Callum McCowatt - FC Helsingør (Danish Division 1)
Now that right there is a pass and a half. Callum McCowatt sliding that ball between multiple defenders to pick out the run of Alexander Lyng – who had also scored a double in a 4-0 midweek win over SønderjyskE. McCowatt played 66 mins in that match but wasn’t directly involved in scoring or assisting any of those goals. However he did bag this assist in a subsequent 4-0 win over Fremad Amager – in which Liam Jordan got a double.
Two 4-0 wins in the space of three days? Yeah, that’s a useful way to get your season back on track. Only drama was McCowatt getting just one assist from the lot... but bloody hell what an assist it was.
Up Next: Danish Cup second round against Lyngby at 4am on Thursday, then away to HB Køge on Sunday at 12.30am (NZT)
Ali Riley - Angel City FC (American National Women’s Soccer League)
78th minute of the match. Pinpoint cross from Ali Riley. The header on target from Cari Roccaro. Angel City take a 1-0 lead. Ali Riley with her first NWSL assist ever (although she did get one in the Challenge Cup).
Unfortunately the lead only lasted a couple of minutes before they gave away a penalty. Paige Nielsen with the foul as she tried to make clearance without realising that a Kansas City player had stepped in front of her and thus she hacked an ankle instead of the ball. Lo’eau LaBonto scored the penalty then ran off celebrating, faking a hamstring injury before twerking towards the crowd. The clip went a bit viral.
The game ended 1-1 which was still an okay result for Angel City given that they once again had keeper Didi Haracic to thank for keeping them in the game during the first half. Couple ripper saves in there. Angel City are out of the top six as it stands but with a game in hand that could lift them up to fifth. It’s gonna be a close race.
Up Next: Monday at 9am away to Gotham FC (NZT)
Abby Erceg – North Carolina Courage (American National Women’s Soccer League)
Credit to the Courage for finally playing a normal game of football. Credit rescinded for leaving Katie Bowen as an unused sub again. But also credit restored for a fine Abby Erceg performance with a clean sheet to boot. The Courage were up against the Chicago Red Stars and they took care of business in a way that’s been very rare for them this NWSL season.
It didn’t take ten minutes before rookie standout Diana Ordonez had headed in the opener from a typically excellent Carson Pickett corner kick. 1-0 was the way it remained for a long time in what felt like a pretty close contest. But then Fuka Nagano scored in only her second appearance for the club in the 64th min and soon enough Ordonez had another (74’) before Rylee Baisden came off the bench to add a fourth near the end (88’). Put that in the bank as a 4-0 win for the Courage which lifts them up two places from the bottom of the ladder. Still a long way to go to make the playoffs but more performances like this will help.
Up Next: One of them catchup games... home vs Portland Thorns on Thursday at 11am; also away to Kansas City on Monday at 11am (NZT)
Olivia Chance - Celtic FC (Scottish Premier League)
Easing back into activities with a first start of the new season, Chance got 58 minutes before being replaced in a triple change with the Hoops up 3-0 against Spartans. Liv Chance was the only one of the kiwi quartet to play SWPL this week as Vic Esson and Meikayla Moore had Champions League fixtures instead and Katie Rood’s game was also postponed because Hearts were meant to be playing Rangers. That gave Celtic a convenient opportunity to put some points on the board... and that’s exactly what they did.
It was an ascendant performance from Celtic. Immediately took control of the game and soon enough took the lead too as Taylor Otto scored her first for the club after 23 mins. Liv Chance had a shot on target later on. Then Chloe Craig added a second from the penalty spot after 34’. Clarissa Larisey then bagged a second half double as Celtic won it 4-0 in the end and it could have been plenty more with the quantity of chances they forged. Three wins from three puts Celtic three points clear at the top of the table – albeit with Rangers and Glasgow City having games in hand, of course.
Up Next: Away to Motherwell at 3am on Monday (NZT)
Ashleigh Ward - Southampton (English Championship)
Great areas for Ashleigh Ward. She may have been playing in England for several years but this is technically a professional debut, having made the step up to the English second tier with new club Southampton. Until recently she was working full time as a PE teacher and captaining Actonians LFC on the weekends. Ward was one of four new signings in the starting team for Southampton.
However that’s about where the coolness ends as the Saints lost 2-0 to Charlton and Ward was replaced after 54 minutes presumably with an injury given that she’s been ruled out of the Football Ferns squad for the upcoming games against Mexico and the Philippines in the days since. Some good and some bad in that report.
Up Next: Away to Lewes at 11.30pm on Sunday (NZT)
Joe Bell – Brøndby IF (Danish Superliga)
Yikes, that’s another loss for BIF. The win against Odense last week didn’t seem to boost the confidences because they’ve now lost four of their opening six Superliga fixtures. Admittedly Aalborg are a strong team having finished fourth last season... but they were winless entering this fixture. Joe Bell played most of the match before being subbed off right near the end. A quiet one from him playing on the left side of the midfield diamond with most of Brøndby’s better stuff happening on the other side. Passed the ball nicely but perhaps not as assertive defensively as he usually is.
Even still, this game felt like it was headed for a draw after Mathias Kvistgaarden (58’) had cancelled out AaB’s tenth minute goal via Allan Sousa (who had already hit the post after just 33 seconds). Sloppy giveaway from BIF leading to that Sousa goal but they goal they scored was a beautifully worked move full of one-touch passing and off the ball movement. Bell involved with a progressive pass early in the pattern.
Alas, a strongly flicked header from Mathias Ross off a Sousa corner kick in the 87th minute won it for Aalborg... who to be fair had been creating the better chances throughout the match. 2-1 final score. Not a great spot for Brøndby to find themselves. Knocked out of Europe and they’ve lost twice as many league games as they’ve won. They’ve got last season’s runners-up FC Midtjylland to follow who have had an equally rancid start to 2022-23 – also out of Europe and also with just six points from six Superliga games. Maybe that’ll be the turning point.
Up Next: FC Midtjylland at 5am on Tuesday (NZT)
Michael Boxall – Minnesota United (American Major League Soccer)
Love a captaincy game. Love a Minnesota United win.
The Loons added another three points to the cause with a quality 2-1 win against Austin FC. A really bright start saw Minny rustle both side-nettings amidst a bundle of chances before Emanuel Reynoso was barged over in the box and then scored the penalty himself after 25 minutes for a very deserved goal. The shots kept coming from Minnesota... however just before the half came a twist in the tale as an Austin FC cross struck the hand of a sliding defender and Sebastian Driussi kept up his lead at the top of the golden boot ranks with his 18th of the season to make it 1-1 at the break, despite the run of play.
Austin were having considerably more of the ball but that’s because Minnesota were able to convert possession into shots a lot quicker. Case and point came in the 62nd minute... when Franco Frangapane tackled the AFC keeper on the high press and dinked in what would prove to be the winner. Because with Boxy and the lads shutting it down at the back, that’s how the story goes.
The win keeps the Loons in fourth with a very good chances of moving up to third with their two games in hand on FC Dallas who are just one point ahead. LAFC and Austin FC lead the way.
Elsewhere in the MLS, gonna breeze through Bill Tuiloma’s game as he was back to the bench for the Portland Timbers against Sporting Kansas City. Not for too long, granted – subbed on at the half with his team down 3-0. They’d end up losing 4-1.
Genuinely not sure how Tui’s form from the first half of the season has seen him drop out being a regular starter... maybe this will be the final straw for that mad idea. He had gotten back in there over the past month with the Timbers rocking a back three but results didn’t really improve so they ditched that shape. Tuiloma had a couple nice defensive moments here plus he whipped a free kick over the top. The game was basically already lost when he entered it though. Portland have dipped outside of the playoff spots thanks to a current five-game winless streak.
At least Billy did get a cool graphic for a milestone century appearance...
Up Next: Sunday at 7.30am it’s Minnesota United versus Houston Dynamo (NZT)
Nik Tzanev – AFC Wimbledon (English League Two)
Best to forget what happened in the midweek as the Dons were smoked 5-2 away by Mansfield Town... having been 2-0 up after 16 minutes. A double for Josh Davidson had them in a great place only to concede a penalty on the half hour, scored by Rhys Oates with Tzanev diving the wrong way. Tzanev’s saved 2/11 penalties that he’s faced as a pro in case you were wondering.
Then Mansfield scored again ten mins later from a close range header at the near post as the rain began to fall hard. If the cross was deeper Tzanev might’ve been able to punch it clear but the attacker got there before he had a chance. That made it 2-2 and before half-time the Dons also copped a red card. Chris Gunter overreacted to having the ball kicked at him following a foul and he had no hope of staying on after that... leaving Wimbledon without the ball for most of the second half, trying in vain to hang on to something, and eventually conceding three more times. A deflection, a thumping header from a corner, and a tap-in from a square ball. Tzanev helpless for the lot of them.
But Wimbledon roared back on the weekend with a clean sheet and a victory against Crawley Town. This time it was their opponents who got the red card - although by the time Tony Craig was marched on 55’ (last man challenge) the Dons were already up a couple goals. Nathan Young-Coombes (15’) and Ethan Chislett (45+1’) with the G’s. The second was an awesome direct free kick.
Tzanev made a mint stop against a free kick late on to ensure that he earned that third clean sheet of the season. 2-0 the final score. Two wins and two draws to go with the Mansfield loss for Wimbledon as they get accustomed to League Two after relegation.
Up Next: Wimbledon vs Barrow on Sunday at 2am (NZT)
Max Crocombe - Grimsby Town (English League Two)
Meanwhile shout out to Max Crocombe for a clean sheet too. Only had a couple major saves to make in Grimsby Town’s 0-0 draw with Sutton United but he did what he had to do. Grimsby’s midweek game was called off due to a waterlogged pitch so that’s the only one to mention. Good point. Ticking them over.
Up Next: A tantalising one in the EFL Cup against Premier League side Nottingham Forest on Wednesday at 6.45am (NZT)
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