Flying Kiwis – April 18
Nando Pijnaker & Max Mata – Sligo Rovers (League of Ireland Premier Division)
Might as well start planning ahead with these Max Mata goals, you can set your watch to them these days...
That’s number seven for the season. Maintaining his lead on the Golden Boot standings across the LOI. Nodding in at the back post from a sweet cross from fullback Reece Hutchinson for a pretty important goal.
There hadn’t been much going on in the first half at home against Drogheda. Poor weather didn’t help but it went beyond that with Sligo Rovers struggling for any kind of rhythm. At least they could say the same about their opponent as well... though that soon changed in the second half as Ryan Brennan gave Drogheda a 52nd minute lead after Rovers had failed to clear the ball when they’d had the chance. Wasn’t looking good at that stage, can’t lie.
But Sligo clearly figured something out. Or maybe the shock of conceding was the switch they needed. Because it was only seven minutes later that Mata levelled things up and then the entire rest of the way it was Sligo pushing for a winner. That meant Mata holding the ball up strongly, it meant Nando Pijnaker stepping up and picking passes, it meant heaps of possession, and it also meant several opportunities coming back the other way against the run of play as Sligo left themselves a bit too open. In the end both sides had to settle for a point apiece. 1-1 the final score.
The draw doesn’t do Sligo Rovers any favours as far as getting out of a very crowded mid-table goes... but hard to have too many complaints about any game in which Max Mata scores. With seven goals in ten games he’s already matched his entire league tally for 2022 and we’re barely a quarter of the way through the season (10/36 games played). And it feels like this gets said every week but as important as Mata is to this team’s attack, that’s how key Pijnaker is to the defence. Those two have played every minute of these ten games. The only other Sligo player in the same bag is goalkeeper Luke McNicholas.
Up Next: Sligo Rovers vs UCD on Sunday at 6.45am (NZT)
Ali Riley - Angel City FC & Abby Erceg – Racing Louisville (American National Women’s Soccer League)
The dream was a repeat of what happened last year: two New Zealand internationals walking out as captains of opposing NWSL clubs. A remarkable thing which has surely never happened anywhere else on a scale like this.
But, alas, Ali Riley was only on the bench backing up after international duty and while Abby Erceg did start she also wasn’t captain. The armband instead went to Jaelin Howell. Erceg had been captain in previous games but also Howell had only played once off the bench in those matches. They have talked about a captaincy committee in the past so we’ll see if that’s a rotation thing or what. Doesn’t really matter, although this would’ve been the first time in a long time that Erceg played a NWSL game without the captain’s armband.
And she’s played a lot of NWSL games too. In fact this was a milestone appearance: regular season game number 150. She’s only the third non-American to reach that number following in the footsteps of Jess Fishlock (166) and Christine Sinclair (159) – both still playing, btw. Erceg’s also appeared in 10 playoff games, with three championships in case you were wondering.
Meanwhile Ali Riley (43 NWSL apps) was the only alteration to the ACFC backline from their previous game with Mary Alice Vignola given the start in her place at left back with Paige Nielsen swapping over to the right side (which itself was curious – Riley usually operates on the left but both she and Nielsen are capable of playing either side). So how’d Vignola go in place of the captain? Yeah... she conceded a penalty after about a minute so not the best. Savannah DeMelo won the spotty and also scored the spotty. 1-0 to Lou in only the third minute of the contest.
DeMelo wasn’t messing about, working room for a shot ten mins later and ripping it off the base of the post. Kayla Fischer and Kirsten Davis Wright each went close as well before DeMelo set up Davis for a belter of a lefty strike on 32’ and The Lou were really cooking. Even had Erceg in search of a second goal of the season already but the corner delivery was a bit too high for her header later in the half.
Fast forward to 56 minutes gone, Louisville were up 2-0 on the road and still on the search for a third. It was time for a triple change with Ali Riley sent on alongside Alyssa Thompson and Madi Hammond.
Ten minutes later the Angels were on the board with a Katie Johnson goal glancing in from a near post free kick. Now it was truly up for grabs, and with the home crowd right into it Louisville were suddenly the team scrambling to survive. Which... they didn’t. 87th minute equaliser from Savannah McCaskill on the spinning volley. Super effort. Keeper picked it up late. Game ended 2-2. Angel City have a win, a draw, and a loss from their three games while Louisville have three draws – coming from 2-0 down to draw last game and then blowing a 2-0 lead this time. It’s all learning.
Cracker game of football, that one. The leadership calibre of both Riley and Erceg has been clear to see throughout the season to date and nothing was any different here. Both have also been crucial within their team’s defensive performances and this stat tally, from prior to this game, helps offer some more context to that...
Up Next: Challenge Cup begins midweek, they’re running it concurrently with the league this year. Angel City face OL Reign on Thurs at 2pm while Louisville have a bye. Then RL are away to Portland at 2.30pm Sunday in the NWSL while ACFC host San Diego at midday Monday (NZT)
Joe Bell – Brøndby IF (Danish Superliga)
About time we took a deeper check-in on Joe Bell with BIF as he was recalled to the starting eleven for the match against AGF. Brøndby had to scrape through into the top half of the table for the split and it hasn’t been fantastic since then, entering this game well adrift in sixth out of six. But Joe Bell, for one, was up for the battle – putting his body on the line to earn a free kick in midfield after only a minute of action.
Other than an early corner, Brøndby were slow to get moving. There were a few instances of Bell with the ball at his feet pointing around trying to get things in motion. Bell also had a penalty shout against him marking tight at the near post from a corner but nothing was doing there. On top of that he had his team’s first proper shot on target. He slipped as he struck it so no harm caused but the key thing was that he was moving that ball quickly and usually in a forward direction. Too deep to be much of a factor in the attacking third however pretty influential in getting them there (when they managed it).
After about half an hour it was clear that this was not going to be a game with an abundance of goal-scoring moments so the initial breakthrough was going to be massive in determining the result. It was BIF who got that goal and they got it in the 37th minute through Seb Sebulonsen, following up on a cross from right back that’d been blocked then blasting a shot that clipped the heel of a defender and flew into the net. No direct Joe Bell influence but it did come at the end of a long spell of attacking possession in which Bellinho’s footprints were all over things.
That scoreline was the same as the teams hit the sheds, so here’s Joe Bell getting told off for wrestling with that same bloke at another corner kick...
Wee issue for BIF was that they seemed to think they could manage the game at 1-0 which allowed AGF to return with a head of steam and roll all over them. And yet... as a shot whipped straight at the keeper and a cross evaded everyone and another shot fizzed past the post and a header again went into the goalie’s grasp... still it remained 1-0. Then both teams made subs and things got stretched but, in a funny way, less open. All the way to the finish line to confirm a 1-0 Brøndby victory.
Joe Bell was excellent, really strong midfield performance from him. Wouldn’t necessarily get that picture from the stats as it was more about discipline, positioning, and initiation but that was the role he was asked to do and he did it beautifully. To the point that he was trusted to stick out the full ninety as his team dug in with a narrow lead and a three-game losing streak (against a team unbeaten in seven). No minor note: this was the first time Bell’s played a full game since August. Usually he starts and is subbed or the other way around but here he was the only midfielder who lasted.
In other Superliga efforts, Eli Just got himself a start for Horsens which was cool. Only his fifth league start for the club and his second since October. Unfortunately they lost 2-1 to Lyngby so it wasn’t all it could’ve been. Just was subbed off after 65 min. Won a few fouls but couldn’t quite get the link-ups going in the final third. That result allows Lyngby to claw back within six points of Horsens, who are the team directly above the relegation zone.
Also, as we’ve become accustomed to there was no sign of Marko Stamenic for Copenhagen. Not even in the matchday squad for their 2-1 win over Viborg, a win that keeps the pace with Norsjælland at the top of the table (granted he did feature in a friendly game the next day). Stamenic has only gotten seven total minutes across two substitute appearances since he announced he was leaving at the end of the season. It’s gonna take several injuries/suspensions for that to change... nonetheless his team are in a Superliga title race and the two-legged cup semis are also fast approaching. Stam’s already played in each of those competitions so even if he never plays for FCK again he might still have to make room in his luggage for a couple of winners’ medals before he flies to Serbia.
One more thing... there was better news for AGF’s women’s team. They won 3-2 against Odense to further boost their prospects of avoiding relegation. The first goal was assisted by Ally Green... although they messed up the live stream so unfortunately we ain’t got the footage. HB Køge continue to march towards the title, maintaining their lead after a 4-0 win away to Thisted. Daisy Cleverley played the last ten minutes off the bench.
Up Next: Brøndby vs Randers at 2am on Monday (NZT)
The English Women’s FA Cup Questers
It was FA Cup semi-final weekend in England and there was a New Zealander involved in each of them... as unused substitutes. And they both lost.
Brighton went first against Manchester United in a really enthralling game. Would’ve been better had Stotty gotten some minutes but oh well. Albion had lost 4-0 to United prior to the international window but not only did they turn up much improved for this one... at half-time they were even leading. 1-0 up thanks to a Mary Earps own goal on 36’ where the England keeper made a mess of a driven cross. Not a bad start for Brighton’s new manager Melissa Phillips.
It only took 48 seconds of the second half for that to change as Ona Batlle sizzled up the right flank then squared for Leah Galton to score. Brighton hung around, with twenty to go it was still 1-1. Even when Alessia Russo slammed MUFC into the lead on 71’ there was a quick response from Brighton as Danielle Carter put the pressure on the defence and stole the ball back to equalise. Super work from Carter. All equal after 75 minutes. Alas, this one was destined to go the other way as Rachel Williams popped up with an 89th minute winner off the bench for a 3-2 result. A hectic FA Cup semi-final which went in the expected direction... but certainly not by the expected path.
Then a day later it was Aston Villa against Chelsea. Anna Leat’s not played since her back injury, during which time Hannah Hampton has regained her best form to the extent that she’s been recalled by England, so it was never likely that she’d upend HH for an FA Cup semi-final. No surprises as the team sheet came out. The question was whether Villa’s excellent work since the last transfer window could threaten a team who’ll be following this FA Cup semi with a Champions League semi against Barcelona in a few days.
Turns out they absolutely could. The pressure was on from the start with Hampton having to make a couple of simple saves, while Lauren James drilled one just wide as the Chelsea pushed to win the ball up high. But Villa weren’t without their own chances too. Probably shoulda conceded when Ève Périsset volleyed over from an open spot, yet as half-time arrived it was a competitive scoreless event to the delight of the Villans who knew they were always a chance of nicking one as long as that remained.
It remained until the 59th minute when the inevitable happened: Sam Kerr scored. Jelena Čanković had hit the post 16 seconds into the second half and it’d taken a couple crucial blocks to keep CFC out after that. But then in came the cross from Guro Reiten to the back post and you simply don’t stop Sam Kerr from there. That still left half an hour for a response and Villa went all out for that, not making a single substitution... though the closest they got was a Sarah Mayling strike that pinged off the post on 85’. Hampton then saved a runaway 1v1 in stoppage time against Kerr to add another highlight in there.
It ended 1-0. Valiant but defeated for Villa and with that Aotearoa’s presence in the FA Cup this year (men’s and women’s) comes to a conclusion. Ria Percival will remain the most recent kiwi woman to feature in an FA Cup final from back in 2019 with West Ham. There have been a couple others from deeper in history too. Just not in 2023.
Up Next: Back to WSL action, starting with a Thursday morning game at 6am for Brighton against Everton, huge opportunity to get off the foot of the ladder as Leicester City’s game against Chelsea has been postponed due to Chelsea’s UCL efforts (also giving CJ Bott more time to recover from injury) – Brighton also face Liverpool away at 1am on Monday at the same time as Aston Villa face Spurs away (NZT)
Ria Percival – Tottenham Hotspur (English Super League)
Doesn’t it seem like every athlete recovering from a serious injury is told that they “might never play again” by some doctor along the way? Maybe they all just have to say that for legal reasons. Regardless, it can’t ever be an encouraging thing to hear but after a year of intense and determined recovery, Ria Percival is finally nearing a return to the footy pitch... and that personal update there really hammers home what a journey it has been. Fully ruptured both her ACL and meniscus. That’s horrific even by regular serious knee injury areas. Now the journey is almost complete.
Up Next: Not sure how soon until she’s considered for matchday squads but Spurs have five more WSL games remaining this season and need all the help they can get only three points ahead of the drop zone (NZT)
Matthew Garbett - NAC Breda (Dutch Eerste Divisie)
Rolling off his finest game yet, Matt Garbett had plenty of momentum to take into the derby game against Willem II. Big match for the fans, also big for the club’s push for playoff football and, potentially, promotion to the top flight. Matty Garbs at right central midfield as always. Ready to rock.
So were his opponents hence it took NAC Breda some time to get into the fight. In truth the first half was low on chances for both teams however there was a notable swing towards NAC as it progressed. Then they ramped that up in the second half. Garbett running lines. Breda moving the ball with speed. It almost paid off ten mins into the spell when Garbett stepped onto a sleek lay-off and slammed a half-volley towards goal... where it was parried by the keeper then cleared. Closest either team had come yet.
Then it got weird, as they had to pause the game with about twenty minutes to go. There had already been some troubles when fireworks were let off in the stands during a minute’s silence earlier on, so when it happened again is caused a pesky delay with the teams returning to the dressing rooms. Willem II still had the possession advantage at that stage but NAC were hauling it back, and they’d had twice as many shots including the only two on target. Felt like Breda were in the ascendancy but at 0-0 it could’ve gone in any direction.
NAC picked up where they left off by forcing a corner within a minute of the drop-ball restart and soon after that Garbett drove towards the area and had a shot deflected wide for another corner. Promising signs... until they also nearly conceded from a low cross to the back stick straight afterwards (as Willem finally produced their first shot on target) before they did concede from the resulting corner... leading to fans throwing plastic beer cups onto the pitch (amongst other things, no doubt) and, more dangerously, the fireworks started popping again so the ref marched everyone off again. Permanently this time.
Full-time was called with 74 minutes on the clock. Nobody was very happy about it, least of all a large home crowd, then again it was from within their ranks that the problems arose. It’s no different to a player who’s been warned for persistent fouling. That second yellow’s coming out next time, no matter what. According to police, several Breda fans sustained burns as a result of the amateur pyrotechnics and a full investigation is underway to identify those responsible and hand down some hefty suspensions/fines. Garbett had been asked in an interview last week about the upcoming derby and he said he was looking forward to the experience. Doubt this was what he had in mind. The game will most likely be played out at a later date in an empty stadium – although nothing’s decided yet.
What’s especially odd is that less than two hours earlier, in a nearby European nation, Callum McCowatt’s game for FC Helsingør had also been abandoned part way through. In this case it was called off at half-time after a spectator suffered a fatal cardiac arrest. Much more tragic circumstances there, clearly, though the rarity of two abandoned games like that in such a short space of time each involving kiwi pros was notable. That game was poised at 1-0 to FCH against Naestved.
Up Next: FC Eindhoven vs NAC Breda at 6am on Saturday (NZT)
Ryan Thomas – PEC Zwolle (Dutch Eerste Divisie)
Defeat last week could have been disastrous for PEC Zwolle’s championship quest (though probably not their promotion efforts) but they got away with it thanks to second-placed Heracles also losing to preserve that five-point buffer. This week they took on Telstar and a couple of Thomas van den Belt goals were all they needed for a 2-0 victory.
Zwolle had to work hard for their bickies. TVDB had already lashed a volley on target after three minutes and his first goal arrived conveniently after 22 minutes to cap a bright start – a direct free kick struck low across the goal. Keeper didn’t pick it up and there ya go. Ryan Thomas tried his luck from range in open play soon after but this game about his fellow central midfielder (that shot was saved btw). Nobody else seemed to be able to put anything away so just as things were getting nervous only one goal up after 65 minutes the bro TVDB delivered again, guiding in a free kick cross with his head for his brace.
The second goal killed any worries and pretty soon the substitutes were lined up. Ryan Thomas was replaced as part of a triple sub on 72’ which is a sneaky new record for the fella – longest he’s played since his return to the footy pitch. He’s just doing what he needs to do for a quality team. Another game with a 90% or better passing success rate. A few potential assists went astray in there because chances weren’t converted, the closest of which being a Haris Medunjanin shot off the post.
PEC Zwolle remain five points clear at the top of the division with five games remaining. One more win will guarantee them promotion... which should sort out his future. Thomas is only contracted until the end of the season but he’ll probably stay at Zwolle if/when they get promoted (and there are whispers of the club having the option to extend him anyway).
Up Next: Almere vs Zwolle at 6am, on Saturday (NZT)
Vic Esson - Rangers FC (Scottish Premier League)
Another start and another clean sheet. This one was a pretty simple affair as Rangers cruised to a 5-0 win over Partick Thistle. Four changes to the last line-up prior to the international break so a little bit of rotation in mind but not too much. Consecutive starts for Esson – though the big test will be whether she’s preferred away to Glasgow City in the next game. Rangers went 3-0 up inside 23 minutes and were able to manage things without any worries from there. Samantha Kerr (the Scottish one, not the Australian one) scored a hatty. Right on.
The real action was in a fizzing contest between Glasgow City and Celtic, massive implications on the title race, however neither of the NZers at those clubs were involved. Meikayla Moore hasn’t played for ages for Glasgow City. She also didn’t play for the Football Ferns over the recent window but she was included in the squad so gotta imagine she’s not injured even if she had been previously. Just not in favour, apparently, as there was no sign of her even on the bench. As was also the case for Liv Chance at Celtic... yet that was less of a mystery after her knee injury with the Ferns. Curiously none of the Celtic previews mentioned her injury which hopefully lends more evidence to the idea that it wasn’t too serious of a setback for her.
Anyway, Celtic were excellent. Took the lead after quarter of an hour then doubled it before the break and when Glasgow City pulled one back they immediately responded. In the end they won 4-2. That doesn’t take anything out of GC’s control but their lead has now shrunk to five points and with Rangers victorious also they’re only one point behind Celtic. Fascinating rest of the season upcoming. This was the first league defeat of the term for Glasgow City. No game for Katie Rood’s Hearts who are fourth in the standings.
Up Next: Glasgow City vs Rangers on Thursday at 6.45am (NZT)
Bill Tuiloma – Charlotte FC (American Major League Soccer)
Charlotte faced Colorado Rapids this week, a meeting between two teams who’d each only won once in 2023. Opportunity arising. Bill Tuiloma right in there trying to make things happen... although the first half here was a very good example of why he hasn’t yet been able to translate his attacking breakout of last year to his new team. Frankly, they don’t know how to cross. They had most of the ball but it was all going to waste as delivery after delivery flew wildly off target.
Meanwhile there was a penalty shout against Tuiloma but nothing to worry about there, just good defending against a weaker human. Colorado’s crossing was a lot better so they were creating some danger despite the lesser possession. One flicked header over the top in particular. But otherwise it was very much nil-all at the break despite a vocal home Charlotte crowd providing a mean atmosphere.
Then things got crazy. First Colorado took a 54th minute lead after Tuiloma had been caught out of position and the backline didn’t slide as needed, leading to a square ball and a tap-in. Then Charlotte responded beautifully with two quick goals of their own. Much more of an emphasis on playing through the middle this half and it paid dividends via Kerwin Vargas and Kamil Jozwiak in quick succession, two goals in four minutes. Charlotte were in front at home with 25 mins to see it through.
Reader, they did not do so. They should have. It was all there for them. Then their goalie made a shambles of a bouncing ball over the defensive line, an easy take dropped right to the striker for the injury time equaliser. What an absolute giveaway, man. But Tuiloma was decent (just don’t read the comments/reply sections from panicking CFC fans). Maybe next week they’ll give him a decent set piece cross to attack.
Up Next: Home to Columbus Crew at 11.30am on Sunday (NZT)
Michael Boxall – Minnesota United (American Major League Soccer)
Boxy’s perfect, mate, what more can ya say? Apart from the Loons losing 2-1 to Orlando City last game, taking the lead on 58’ through Bongo Hlongwane but being unable to hold it. Ended up going down to an 88th minute winner which made for consecutive defeats after having been undefeated through their first five matches.
It was a game they should’ve been 3-0 up in and home dry. Bongo missed a sitter after one minute and there were several more useful chances that were hit too close to the goalie. Eventually they did get rewarded with a lead but having worked so hard for it they gave it away within ten minutes, missed some more opportunities, then lost it at the death. Both goals could’ve been prevented with either more disciplined fullback play or wingers who tracked back. Something for Boxy to have a word about at training.
Up Next: Away to Seattle Sounders at 2.30pm on Sunday (NZT)
Tyler Boyd - Los Angeles Galaxy (American Major League Soccer)
Meanwhile in other MLS action...
Opta Stats: “Tyler Boyd's goal from 36.1 yards was the longest for LA Galaxy in MLS since Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored from 40.1 yards in the first El Tráfico in March 2018”
That’s Tauranga’s Tyler Boyd, giving it a right old nudge. Thumping that sucker home from miles out in El Traffico, the Los Angeles derby. The Galaxy ended up losing 3-2 as Carlos Vela had his way with them as he does most rival MLS clubs but such a cool moment for Boyd who’s career has been a frustrating one lately. He got stuck on the outer in Turkey with a long-term deal at Besiktas and no pathway into the first team. They deregistered him at one point, loaned him out at another. Eventually they released him six months early to allow him to join the Galaxy and finally he’s back playing regular footy and looking sharp.
Ideally, in hindsight, he should have moved to MLS soon after he switched international allegiances. So it goes, he’s there now. Boyd has 10 caps for the USA (to go with his 5 for the All Whites) but the most recent of those was in November 2019 and he’s been nowhere near those squads lately. This could be the start of something though. Here’s another angle of the goal...
Up Next: LA Galaxy vs Austin at 2.30pm on Sunday (NZT)
Myer Bevan - Cavalry FC (Canadian Premier League)
First game of the season and Myer Bevan is already off the mark. In fact he also got an assist for Cavalry’s second goal in a 2-2 draw away to Forge. As well as a yellow card. Good times. Bevan scored 6 goals in 14 games for Cavalry last year although only three of those were in the CPL and he missed more than half of the term through injury. Might be a Max Mata level second season glow-up on the cards here, who knows?
Up Next: Pacific vs Cavalry in the Canadian Championship on Friday at 2pm (NZT)
Nik Tzanev – AFC Wimbledon (English League Two)
The good news is that Tzanev is back from his injury layoff. NT returned to the bench for a 3-2 loss to Salford in the midweek, then was ready to go on the weekend against Stevenage. The bad news is that they lost and the game was a mess. Conceded after only three minutes as a free kick was chipped into the six yard box, nudged across, then finished off. Very weak one to concede.
Ali Al-Hamadi levelled up soon after (11’) with a lovely bit of striker’s work... but the Dons eventually went down 2-1, allowing the winner after an hour as a horrendous header intended for Tzanev was instead hit towards a striker who lifted it over Tanz to score. Yuck. At least there are only three more games left for Wimbledon, it’ll all be over soon. One more positive result will rule out relegation.
Similar is true for Colchester United although Tommy Smith has only played five minutes off the bench since the last All Whites games. No word on him being injured. That could be the case or they might just be trying out other options with nothing much left to play for. Grimsby Town and Max Crocombe are a bit higher up the ladder however they never got the post-FA Cup run boost they were hoping for. More like their season has lost focus instead. Crocombe’s played every League Two minute this term and is coming off contract... as are Smith and Tzanev. All three have some decisions to make.
Up Next: 2am on Sunday, Wimbledon vs Swindon Town (NZT)
Michael Fitzgerald – Albirex Niigata (Japanese J-League)
Ever seen a team down 2-1 after 92 minutes and still somehow win the game? If not, you have now...
Decent way for Michael Fitzgerald to make his return from suspension. Ninety minutes at the back for Fitzy. Niigata were actually 2-0 down after 32 minutes so it was one hell of a comeback from the newly promoted side against Avispa Fukuoka. Niigata now have 12 points from eight games.
Up Next: 10pm Wednesday away to Kashiwa Reysol in the JL Cup, then home to Kashima Antlers at 5pm on Sunday (NZT)
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