Marko Stamenic – FC København (Danish Superliga)

There’s been a slight resurgence for Brøndby with a couple of recent wins on the trot, including one against Copenhagen. Nothing that’s going to get them back into the mix for Europe but it’s good momentum to finish the season with. Alas, those two wins have come after a switch in formation to 3-4-3 shape, rather than their previous 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 efforts. That’s meant one fewer player through the middle of the park and as a result Joe Bell has been dropped to the bench. He didn’t even get on as a sub in those two previous matches and he didn’t get on as a sub this week either as they faced København again, this time at home in front of their raucous crowd.

But you know who did play? Marko Stamenic. In order to match their opponents, who’d debuted the back three against them a couple weeks ago, FCK decided upon a central defensive trio of their own. Which in turn meant finding another central defender... and Marko Stamenic was the bloke they settled upon. He has played this role for the club in the past although never in a game of this magnitude with FCK seeking a return to the top of the table – at least until Nordsjælland’s game kicked off.

Turns out central defender Marko Stamenic isn’t too dissimilar to central defensive midfielder Marko Stamenic. He operated in the middle of the trio and his task was much more about sweeping and covering and being a passing option in the build-up while the two regular CBs were the ones tasked with stepping out and challenging for the ball. However he did step into quite a few square crosses to belt them to safety. He was tidy and he as assured. He was also absolutely fired up, despite the fact that he’s leaving soon. Big character, mate.

Copenhagen had very little possession and committed lots of fouls as the home side began much sharper. Stamenic shoved a bloke over in the corner as part of the aggressive trend (although that one wasn’t even a free kick). FCK picked up two yellows inside twenty mins (Claesson & Lund)... but they also scored a goal. Their first hint of an attack occurred in the 18th minute... and the early cross from Elias Jelert was met by the guiding head of Viktor Claesson. Expertly done. They then spent the rest of the half defending stoutly albeit without looking overly troubled.

That changed after the break, as things often do. Brøndby came at them with a bit more pace to their play and that paid off after 54 mins as they won themselves a penalty. FCK were furious about it, feeling that Peter Ankersen had won the ball with his sliding challenge. He did technically brush the ball first... but not cleanly and he also battered the player so VAR didn’t bother saying anything as Ohi Omoijuanfro sent the keeper the wrong way to tie the game up at one apiece.

It soon took a very good save to deny Mathias Kvistgaarden putting BIF into the lead. Luckily they also had Stamenic hacking loose ball after loose ball out of their penalty area... and then, against the run of play once more, they were finally able to string a few passes together and next thing Jordan Larsson had tapped in a low pass across goal to restore the Copenhagen lead on 73’.

Ten minutes later the pressure of the occasion finally boiled over in the form of a rough challenge from Daniel Wass, lunging in on an FCK player. The ref rushed over to separate players from butting chests. Marko Stamenic must’ve made a 40 metre sprint to get in there and he was right in amongst the shoves as one of his teammates was pushed over. Eventually the smoke cleared and a red card popped up for Wass (fair enough, awful challenge) while yellows were also shown in the directions of Stamenic, one of the BIF dudes (the one who shoved a bloke over), and also someone on one of the benches.

Daniel Wass had been playing midfield so that might work out nicely for Joe Bell over the next couple weeks. Having said that, it’s Anis Ben Slimane who usually subs on for Wass and who also came on in his position after the red card here. Anyway, FCK scored again soon after the game resumed. Another Jelert cross (recovering after being on the wrong end of that tackle by Wass) headed in by Christian Sørensen. 3-1 was the final score after a fascinating and feisty game of football.

Marko Stamenic: “I think it went well. We have been working a lot during the week on defending situations that could be dangerous for us, and I think we all handled them perfectly. We did a great job and we are super happy with the victory. I felt comfortable [at centre-back]. I have good people around me who have helped me during the week. It is a good experience to have gained.”

Marko Stamenic had not started for Copenhagen in any competition since the end of October. He’s leaving at the end of the season and could easily have phoned it in the rest of the way. Instead he got called up to play out of his usual position in a massive game and was one of the best players on the park in a brilliant win that gives his team a huge lift in their push to retain the league title. Helped even more by Nordsjælland being held 1-1 away to AGF – putting FCK clear at the top by a single point with three rounds remaining. There’s also a cup final to be played during the week, just quietly. Absolutely massive from Stamenic. What a lad.

Stamenic carried all the Flying Kiwis weight in Denmark this week. Joe Bell’s situation got a mention earlier, hopefully he’s back in the picture while Wass is suspended. Eli Just had to drop to the bench after his run of starts at Horsens. That didn’t go so swell for them, beaten 3-1 by Midtjylland. Understandable they’d go more defensive against the best team in the bottom half but unfortunately they’ve now slumped into the relegation zone. Only three games left to save their top flight status. Going down to the wire.

Down a division Callum McCowatt’s sharp form hasn’t saved Helsingør’s season. A 1-0 loss to Hvidovre in their latest officially rules them out of promotion contention with three games remaining. They weren’t gonna get there anyway but three losses in a row have ended all hope.

But there was at least happier news in the Kvindeliga. Daisy Cleverley didn’t play for HB Køge, bit of a bummer after a couple of recent starts, and a 1-1 draw with Nordsjælland was hardly the ideal result in her absence. However closest rivals Brøndby lost so a draw means they stretch the lead back out to three points with four more games to go... including a final week clash with Brøndby.

Up Next: Danish Cup final, Aalborg vs Copenhagen at 3am on Friday, then they face AGF in the league at 4am on Monday (NZT)

Abby Erceg – Racing Louisville (American National Women’s Soccer League)

She only signed her last contract extension in August last year but hey why not here’s another one. That deal, back in her North Carolina Courage days was a two-year contract with an option for a third. They then traded her inside six months of signing it but whatever. This current deal is a two-year contract, including this current year. So... nothing’s really changed other than that 2024 year becoming guaranteed, ensuring that she won’t have to worry about potentially being a free agent at the end of the season. Maybe they restructured it a bit too, dunno. The important thing is that Erceg’s in a spot where her immense mana and leadership is valued and she seems stoked to have re-upped.

Abby Erceg: “Deciding to stay on with Racing was an easy decision as I’ve had nothing but great experiences so far. I’m thankful to the club for investing in me as a player, and I’m eager to do my part in helping the club establish itself as a top contender in the coming years.”

RL general manager Ryan Dell: “We are thrilled to have Abby as an anchor on our backline over the next two years,” said. “She is one of the most experienced players in the world, and her leadership has been instrumental in crafting the kind of culture we want in our locker room and on the field.”

RL head coach Kim Björkegren: “Abby is one of the best centre-backs in the NWSL. She is really professional and has a lot of experience, and she is not afraid to share that and give the players around her advice. She’s also a big help for me as a head coach – she is someone to have dialogue with, and that’s one of the reasons she’s in our leadership group. I’m really excited to see her stay in the club over long-term.”

Sweet as. Erceg is one of several Louisville players to have signed new deals in recent weeks, roughly coinciding with ex-USWNT team manager Ryan Dell joining the club. They’re locking down the core of the team as they seek to build into a more competitive side in year three of their existence. Next step... to stop being the only team in the NWSL this year who still hadn’t won a game. And that they surely did...

There have been several close calls already, Racing haven’t been far away. Lots of draws that could have been wins with a bit more luck and experience. Finally at home against Chicago Red Stars it all clicked. Erceg and company had it locked at the back and keeper Katie Lund saved whatever got past them. That much was on display from the start though the worry was whether or not they could put anything away up the other... worries that eased when they won a penalty after 33 mins. Just to show that their luck was in, Savannah DeMelo actually missed the penalty but it rebounded off the post and in via the goalie’s shoulder for 1-0.

That goal was a fortune changer. From that point onwards, it was full steam Racing as they created several more big chances in the remaining minutes of the half before winning a second penalty, this time Wang Shuang took it and scored the old fashioned way. With a two-goal lead, it was a matter of managing the game (like they didn’t do when they blew the same scoreline to draw against Angel City recently). Wang hit the crossbar with a slick strike. Chicago also hit the bar with fifteen to go. But then Parker Goins scored a tidy finish on the counter attack to make it 3-0 and that’s the way it ended.

First win of the season. There it is. At the lucky seventh attempt... this result had been brewing with their performances, it was simply a matter of seeing it through. All part of the team’s growth. Erceg did get a yellow card in there, by the way – her first booking of the year.

Up Next: Double header for Racing Louisville against KC Current, first at home in the Challenge Cup group stage at 11.30am on Thursday and then away in the league at midday on Sunday (NZT)

Ali Riley - Angel City FC (American National Women’s Soccer League)

Meanwhile Angel City were on course for an impressive point against league-leaders Washington Spirit... until they conceded a stoppage time penalty which Ashley Hatch buried for a 1-0 Washington victory. Ali Riley started on the bench before being subbed on for the last dozen minutes at right back. Not sure why she didn’t start, could’ve been tactical but could also have been for rest/rotation purposes. Riley brought some good energy when she came in and might’ve set up a goal straight away with a looping cross lobbed into the danger area.

Then came the penalty. This isn’t the first time that ACFC have thrown away points because of a late goal this year... but you’ve gotta be sympathetic when you lose because of a handball that hit the defender’s back/hip with her back turned and then deflected into the arm. Brutal decision. The VAR took a long look but couldn’t find a loophole to overturn the original decision. See for yourself on the highlights.

In happier news, here’s a fresh Ali Riley interview...

Plus there’s also been news this week that her Off The Ball video series is going to return soon for a third season. So that’ll be fun. Previous episodes are all on YouTube to peruse in your spare time. The HBO three-part documentary series ‘Angel City’ premieres this week also – should get some good Ali Riley content in that given how she’s the club captain and all that.

Up Next: Nothing in the midweek, just North Carolina Courage away at 11am on Sunday (NZT)

Matthew Garbett - NAC Breda (Dutch Eerste Divisie)

Matthew Garbett: “I am really enjoying myself in Breda and at the club. In the coming years I hope to develop even further at NAC and to be of value to the team.”

Happy days. It had been reported from the very start that Matt Garbett’s loan move to NAC Breda included a team option to purchase his services outright and given how well he’s started with them it was only a matter of time until they picked that up. Now they have. Garbett will thus join NAC on permanent terms at the end of this current season and he’ll be there there for two years with the option of a third.

It’s a drop down from sitting on the bench in Serie A but it’s one that prioritises regular first team senior football... and that drop will only be a gentle step if they carry on their current form and get promoted to the Eredivisie through the impending playoffs. No word on what the transfer fee was. Undisclosed as is often the case, especially outside of the top leagues where the majority of the media focus is.

Nobody was happy with how the game against Heracles turned out though. Not Matt Garbett and his team nor their fans... nor Ryan Thomas and PEC Zwolle either. Heracles are the team tied at the top with Zwolle, ahead thanks to their better goal difference. Heracles were therefore expected to beat NAC yet it was Breda who fired the first shot with Matt Garbett testing the keeper from range. Garbs was very busy early on, moving the ball quickly and giving his team a spark. Keen to celebrate that transfer in style.

NAC was unlucky not to get a penalty late in the first half for a trip. Still, 0-0 at the break was a good spot to find themselves in. They were playing well and that continued into the second half... until a casual bit of play on halfway coughed the ball up after 56 minutes and Heracles showed their class with a counter attacking goal. Breda carried on their merry way but still couldn’t find anything to show for it. Garbett chipped a ball over the top that was miscontrolled in a great position. There was a wasted turnover on the high press. Some shots on target that didn’t beat the keeper. Also a not-so-harsh yellow card for Matt Garbett...

Then with five mins left their own goalie had a nightmare rushing out way too late on a bouncing ball outside his area and absolutely clattering the striker (whose header had already been sent wide). Red card. Garbett was one of the blokes subbed in the aftermath. Heracles scored twice more to win 3-0. Bit of a shambles.

Up Next: Hold up, let’s do the next guy first

Ryan Thomas – PEC Zwolle (Dutch Eerste Divisie)

That Breda result was gutting for their own fans but even worse for those of PEC Zwolle because at least Breda are already guaranteed in the playoffs which was their main target. Zwolle won 3-1 against Roda JC in a concurrent kickoff. Pretty much turned up and rolled them from the start with heaps of chances, although only a penalty from Lennart Thy separated the teams at the break. No dramas. Haris Medunjanin slammed in a beauty on 52’ to extend the lead then while they did concede a soft one after an hour they were able to finish it off in style when Apostolos Vellios scored an even finer goal near the end – a proper scissor kick... which the fans enjoyed so much that they got the game postponed for several minutes because of debris thrown onto the pitch.

The teams returned to finish the match. 3-1 final score. Another ninety minutes for Ryan Thomas in there. Slightly different role for him as they altered the formation to adapt to the absence of star player Thomas van den Belt (who is not only injured but also leaving for Feyenoord in the summer). Slightly more room to push forward through the middle with a number six in behind him, although Thomas kept it simple, shifting the ball around and letting others do the creative stuff.

But thanks to Heracles winning, Zwolle are still stuck in second place. In fact the goal differential between the two teams has gotten slightly worse. Zwolle should’ve won by more but what really would’ve gotten them down was how close NAC came to taking decisive points off Heracles only to end up losing in a manner that also padded the GD.

There’s one week left. NAC host Telstar with nothing definitive on the line although a win would ensure a more favourable playoff matchup. Zwolle are away to Helmond. Heracles host Jong Ajax. Both those opponents are midtable and out of the playoff hunt. Heracles have a four goal advantage on the differential with more goals scored for the third tiebreaker... meaning that either Zwolle must win by five goals more than Heracles win by or else they need to better their result. The latter is more likely. Neither is most likely. But Zwolle did win a game 13-0 earlier this term so don’t entirely discount the former.

Up Next: Telstar vs NAC; Helmond Sport vs PEC Zwolle; Heracles vs Jong Ajax... all kicking off at 6am on Saturday (NZT)

CJ Bott - Leicester City (English Super League)

Leicester City gave it a good crack against Arsenal last week and were gutted to lose 1-0 despite a battling defensive performance. That was against an injury-depleted Gunners team, they then had to repeat the dose against a strong Chelsea team on a short turnaround, a team that had beaten them 8-0 back in December. An even more difficult task. And they got absolutely smoked (although not as bad as last time)...

Chelsea were outrageously good rather than Leicester City being terrible. CJ Bott got the full game, a couple of moments were she was caught out defensively same as the rest of them... though more of Chelsea’s incision came from the other side. Doesn’t really matter. Bott had talked up the underdog tag prior to the game but they soon learned why that distinction existed in the first place.

At the same time Brighton played Arsenal and lost 4-0 with Rebekah Stott an unused sub. BHAFC conceded twice inside the first ten minutes. Those were the only two WSL games that went down this weekend, both midweekers, because the weekend was held aside for the FA Cup final... in which Chelsea triumphed 1-0 over Manchester United.

With that in the bank, there are two weeks left in the WSL and there’s a relegation scrap to figure out. Four teams are involved and one will go down. As it stands, Reading remain last and that’s good because they’re the only ones without a kiwi in the mix. They also have to play Chelsea in the final round and Chelsea will probably need to win that to clinch the league title. That’s the only game remaining for any of the bottom four against anyone in the top five. Before that they’re away to Spurs so Ria Percival can do a few international teammates a solid with a tidy result there – as well as keeping her own team in the top flight if they can avoid defeat in that match.

Remaining Fixtures...

• Brighton (16 points) - Everton (A), Leicester City (H)

• Tottenham (14 points) – Reading (H), West Ham (A)

• Leicester City (13 points) – West Ham (H), Brighton (A)

• Reading (11 points) – Tottenham (A), Chelsea (H)

Up Next: Leicester City vs West Ham on Monday at 2am (NZT)

Vic Esson - Rangers FC (Scottish Premier League)

Vic Esson gets the headline because she did get back to bench duties in the second of two Rangers games this week. Good to see after another untimely injury potentially cost her a run of starts... although it was never considered anything other than a slight knock. Esson played that massively crucial 1-0 win over Celtic two weeks ago but then missed the 1-0 win over Hibs and 3-0 win against Partick Thistle. She didn’t feature against Hearts in a 6-0 win either but was at least back on the bench. And in a timely fashion because the final two games will probably define their entire season.

That’s because Celtic were able to bounce back from defeat against Rangers to serve Glasgow City with an L of their own. Celtic were down 1-0 at the half but stormed back to win 3-1 thanks to a brilliant second spell. Still no Liv Chance who doesn’t seem likely to feature again this season as she rehabs her knee in order to be ready for the World Cup. No Michaela Moore for Glasgow City either but after two months out with a back injury that was to be expected. Glasgow City then needed an 86th minute winner to beat Partick Thistle and remain clear in first place heading into the final round of matches. Celtic won 2-1 away to Hibernian in their match.

Okay so none of the NZers actually played this weekend. But we still had to lay down the situation because here is the table heading into the last game for each...

On the final day we’ve got Rangers vs Glasgow City and we’ve got Celtic vs Hearts. All four teams have New Zealanders but combining the injuries to Chance and Moore with the ACL suffered recently by Katie Rood for Hearts and also Vic Esson’s tag team duties in goal for Rangers there’s a solid possibility that none of them actually play. But whoever’s team wins, they’re going to get themselves a championship medal. And second place also gets Champions League.

If Glasgow City win against Rangers then they lift the trophy. Nice and simple. Granted, they’ve been poor against the top teams lately so that very easily may not happen. In which case a draw would mean that Celtic can lift the title on goal difference with a victory. Yet if Rangers win then Celtic not only need to win their own game (a prerequisite on their part) but they’ll also need to overturn a slight disadvantage in goal difference. Three teams are in with legitimate chances to win the title heading into the last round with both these games to be played at the same time.

Oh yeah and then a week later Rangers and Celtic meet at Hampden Park for the Scottish Cup final.

Up Next: Monday at 3.10am is when the SWPL gets decided (NZT)

Zac Jones – Haverfordwest County (Welsh/Cymru Premier)

They did it! They really did it. Complete outsiders bursting into the playoffs for the final Welsh spot in the Europa Conference League qualifiers, they weren’t even supposed to be there. It took a wonderful run of form in the relegation rounds to finish top of that section then last week in their playoff semi the utter heroics of Zac Jones guided them past Cardiff Met as he saved a penalty in regulation and then two more in the shootout. Well, Haverfordwest are heading to Europe now after beating Newtown in another shootout. Only the second time this club will ever have competed in continental competition and the previous time was two decades past.

It was a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes. Both goals were scored in the first half and then nothing else could split them until it came time for spotties. There, unbelievably, Jonesy once again saved the first attempt. This one was struck straight at him and he didn’t flinch.

H-West scored in response. Jones dove the right way for the second but it was too well struck into the corner. Same deal with number three but both times his team retaliated in kind. The fourth Newtown penalty was the one where Jones finally guessed wrong... but it didn’t matter because it missed the target entirely. Haverfordwest missed the next before Jones was beaten by Newtown’s last... yet Corey Shepard buried the final kick to send Haverfordwest County AFC to the (relative) promised land.

Chuck in a couple strong saves during the game itself to go with the FOUR penalty saves he made across both legs and this was dream stuff for any goalkeeper. Too good.

Up Next: Season’s done... when things resume there’ll be a European quest to embark upon

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

Last week supplied a Logan Rogerson assist. This week we can go even better...

Keeper fumbles, forward pounces. That’s how you do it.

This was Logan Rogerson giving Haka the lead after half an hour away to FC Honka during the midweek. Juan Tescano scored another for the Haka lads soon before the midway point and then Honka got a red card with twenty to go. Whyte subbed in for Rogerson after 57 mins and should’ve had an assist himself but somehow the side-footed volley at the back stick on the end of his chipped cross got cleared off the line. Final score 2-0 to Haka. Good win.

Not so flash a few days later against Mariehamn, granted. Again it was Rogerson starting and Whyte coming off the bench in the second half (although not swapping for each other this time – Rog played ninety). Haka scored first on 25’ thanks to a header from a corner... but they conceded immediately afterwards. Haka then thought they’d scored again in a very similar way only this time there was a touch in the six yard box from an offside player so it didn’t count.

A quick burst to begin the second half led to a Haka penalty. Logan Rogerson with his pace in behind, drew the keeper out then caught just enough contact for the foul. But Janne-Pekka Laine’s attempt was saved. Mariehamn scored again from a header off a corner of their own on 64’. Rogerson had a late attempt deflected. Whyte had a last-second crack fly narrowly wide. 2-1 to Mariehamn was how it ended. One nice result and one nasty result.

Up Next: Tuesday at 3am against VPS (NZT)

Myer Bevan - Cavalry FC (Canadian Premier League)

Another one for the tally. Myer Bevan was gold from the penalty spot to score his third goal of the nascent Canadian Premier League season to keep him tied for the Golden Boot at this early stage... along with another former NZ National League creator in Ollie Bassett (and also some bloke called Shaan Hundal). Good yarns.

Bevan’s being trusted to lead the line for Cavalry and he’s delivering nicely. Did get a yellow card for the fracas that happened during the celebrations though. This game ended 2-2 away to Wanderers which incredibly means that Cavalry have drawn all five games so far this season. Undefeated and yet only two points off last. Weird.

Up Next: Monday 11am against Atletico Ottawa (NZT)

Jacqui Hand - Åland United (Finnish Kansallinen Liiga)

Jacqui Hand sat out a comfortable win last week, presumably to manage her workload after missing the whole offseason through injury but we don’t know for sure. She was straight back in there for the trip to Ilves though and responded by setting up the first goal. Admittedly it was a short lay-off back from the left wing corner with the resulting cross from Anna Nurmi sailing directly into the goal as it dipped over the keeper. Important goal either way after 23 minutes of what was shaping like a close game.

Then AU went and scored again six mins later. And again immediately after that. 3-0 after thirty minutes, Aada Torronen and Silja Tuominen with those strikes. No Hand assists for them ones. JH was back on the left wing where she spent most of last year so there wasn’t as much going directly through her as we saw when she played centre forward in the first few games. Not to worry. Hand did go close soon into the second half thumping a cut-back on target but the goalie saved with her feet. She also played a killer ball across for Torronen on the break but she got her approach wrong and couldn’t catch up with it when she’d have only had the keeper to beat. Jacqui Hand was then subbed on the hour. More evidence that they may be watching her fitness.

Åland United held on to win it 3-0, peep some highlights over here. That’s three hefty wins in a row for AU who have launched all the way up to third place after five games. 14 goals scored and none conceded across this win streak. Officially, JH has three goals and two assists in her four Kansallinen games this year although it should be three assists, maybe they didn’t count this week’s one as it wasn’t an intentional shot? She also scored in the cup just prior to the league season beginning. It’s been good. Glad to have an attacking player fit and in form leading into the World Cup.

Up Next: PK-35 vs AU at 11pm on Sunday (NZT)

Henry Gray - Ipswich Town (English Championship)

When New Zealand Football announced the squad list for the U20 World Cup, Henry Gray was listed (along with Oli Colloty) as ‘on trial in England’ for his club status. Not exactly FIFA-approved specificity... so when the final squads were all confirmed by the governing body it was a funky one to see the name ‘Ipswich Town’ instead.

Gray was part of the Wellington Phoenix Academy but left about 18 months ago to trial in England for the first time. Trouble with that was he was still only 17 years old at the time and under the rules you’ve got to be 18 to sign professionally as an overseas player. There are international exemptions available... but it’s slippery legal work.

So Gray returned to Aotearoa and played for Waterside Karori for a bit. Then spent some time with Central Coast Mariners before turning 18 at the end of last month and thus opening that professional door back up to himself. Now he’s signed with Ipswich Town, who you’ll recall gave Ben Waine’s Plymouth Argyle a run all the way to the last day of the season for the League One title. Both those teams were promoted automatically. Gray is surely further away from the first team than Waine will be but there could feasibly be a meeting of two Welly Nix academy grads in the English Champo next term.

This also carries on a fine tradition of the Tractor Boys being one of the finest promoters of kiwi football going around. Tommy Smith is the most successful having played 267 league games for the club, though he’s far from the only fella. It was Ipswich Town who provided the first ever NZer in the Premier League when they boosted up Lee Norfolk. Both Chris Wood and Rory Fallon spent time with the club on loan deals, Wood while he was struggling to get into the Leicester City team after they’d been promoted to the top flight and Fallon in the wake of the 2010 World Cup. Plus Monty Patterson came through their academy and featured briefly for the first team. Hopefully soon we can add Henry Gray to the list.

Still not as stacked as Barnsley’s NZ connections though.

Up Next: Gray’s currently with the NZ U20 World Cup team who kick off their first game against Guatemala on Sunday at 6am (NZT)

Niko Kirwan – Calcio Padova (Italian Serie C)

There will be no promotion this year for Calcio Padova. Didn’t happen for them. They got through the first round of the Serie C promotion playoffs with a 1-0 win over Pergolettese courtesy of Micheal Liguori’s goal with twenty to play but Virtus Verona turned them over by the same scoreline a few days later. These Serie C playoffs are notoriously difficult – you can end up having to play up to ten games to be the one team that advances from the three regional conferences (with only the winners going up automatically). Padova were second in their group last time. This time they were further down the pecking order in fifth. It was always going to be tough yakka.

Kirwan featured late off the bench in the first game as they protected their lead. He was an unused sub against VV. Closely fought game in which the first half was mostly spent on hopeful crosses but both teams found some more urgency in the second... leading to some strong saves at both ends before Juanito Gomez slammed one home for VV with ten to play. Still time to get back into the match from there... but Padova’s case wasn’t helped with keeper Antonio Donnarumma rushed out and shouldered an opponent who’d kicked the ball away to stop a quick free kick. Opponent got booked (it was the goal-scorer Gomez) and Donny was given a red card. Deservedly. Even then, Padova managed to hit the crossbar in the dying stages. But nah, 1-0 to Virtus Verona final score. Niko Kirwan will still be in Serie C next season (having only played a couple of games this time due to his knee injury – though he did sign a new contract while he was recovering).

Up Next: Maybe next time?

George Stanger – Alloa Athletic (Scottish League One)

Think back to last week and you’ll be reminded about this whole scenario. Alloa Athletic in the playoffs for a spot in the Scottish Championship and coincidentally they were facing Hamilton Academical, George Stanger’s old club, who themselves were trying not to get relegated from said Championship. No time for sentimentality in the first leg as Alloa pulled off a stunning 1-0 win at home to really set things up. Luke Donnelly scored in first half stoppage time. Stanger got ninety minutes in a back three on the way to the clean sheet. Lovely stuff.

Then came the second leg...

It was all going to plan when Conor Sammon headed in from a free kick after only five minutes, doubling the aggregate lead. Stanger picked himself up a yellow card on 19 mins for a drag back of a fella’s jersey stopping him from turning past however Alloa were definitely threatening a third goal in this tie. The yarns were swell. Until Stanger slid a fraction late into a tackle and that earlier yellow was matched leading to a 24th minute red card. Oh dear.

Alloa Athletic did actually score next. It was a penalty after an errant back-pass had been picked off, which Stefan Scougall missed but then converted the rebound. Yet there was still an hour of this game left to traverse with ten men and even a three-goal advantage was not enough. Hamilton Accies scored five times to win the thing 5-3 on aggregate and advance to the final of the Championship playoffs. A devastating collapse from AA which unfortunately came about after George Stanger had gotten himself sent off.

Up Next: Gonna have to give it another season

Sarpreet Singh - SSV Jahn Regensburg (German Bundesliga 2)

Where have all the cool Sarpreet Singh highlights been lately? There haven’t been any, that’s where. When he initially got back from his injury (and was finally registered) he popped up with a few goal contributions and seemed to be picking up where he left off prior to getting hurt. But Regensburg have been so poor this season. Singh had some unlucky breaks with shots off the woodwork, being fouled by the last man, that kinda thing. All the while his team continued to lose games whilst doing seemingly little about it.

They probably should’ve sacked coach Mersad Selimbegović months ago given how steadily they kept sinking down into the relegation battle. That only finally happened last week following consecutive losses in which Singh was subbed off at half-time... and even then seems to have been as influenced by a falling out with the technical director than it was by the results. American coach Joe Enochs has been hired in his place, his most recent job was at FC Zwickau in the third tier (he was fired in February) having previously spent two decades as a player and coach at VfL Osnabrück. That’s him with his hand on Sarpreet’s shoulder in the pic above.

A very ambitious hire, that’s for sure. Enoch’s first game in charge was at home against Hamburger with the Reggies knowing they really needed to spring an upset to have any chance of even sneaking into the relegation playoff. Automatic survival would be officially goneskees with anything other than a win. Then Arminia went and beat FCK with a 97th minute winner to make the task even more desperate for Regensburg by extending the gap above them to five points.

What Joe Enochs did was he dropped Sarpreet Singh to the bench, not even using him as a substitute, and his team lost 5-1. They were 3-0 down after half an hour. Could be that Singh was dropped because he’s not coming back next season or it could be to do with the formation switch and wanting more defensive wide players (they went with the stock standard 4-4-2 so not a great fit for Singh). However on recent evidence he probably wouldn’t have made a difference. This team is bad. With two games left they’re five points adrift from even having a playoff’s chance of staying in the second tier. It’s not happening.

Singh’s luck with loan spells has been awful, the bro can’t catch a break. In three years he’s had six good months the first time with Regensburg and then he got injured (which eventually cost him a transfer to Werder Bremen). He never found a fit with Nurnburg before cutting that one short mid-season. Then there was also the registration drama earlier this term followed by relegation murkiness which has minimised Singh’s best attributes. Not sure what the future holds but thank the eternal spirits that it won’t be at Jahn Regensburg... and pray that there’ll be no more loans either.

Up Next: Away to Eintracht Braunschweig on Saturday at 11pm (NZT)

Michael Boxall – Minnesota United (American Major League Soccer)

That’s the wholesome content. The unwholesome content follows now with Minnesota Utd losing 3-0 away to Sporting Kansas City. A couple of early goals allowed meant they were in trouble early on and it was more than their sputtering attack could cope with. So let’s not speak of that one any longer. However there was a US Open Cup game in the midweek in which the Loons advanced past Philadelphia Union in a penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw over 120 minutes. Huge cojones there considering they conceded equalisers in the 94th minute and 120th minute – literally the closing stages of both regular and extra time. But they dusted themselves off to win 7-6 in the shootout and guess who scored the sixth of those seven?

Never in doubt.

Elsewhere Bill Tuiloma remains injured but Charlotte FC won again without him. Two wins in a row, both with Tuiloma missing. Not sure if that’s something we should be happy about or not.

Up Next: Minny vs Houston Dynamo on Thursday at 12.30pm, then quick turnaround away to Portland Timbers on Sunday at 2.30pm (NZT)

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