Flying Kiwis – March 26
Anna Leat – Aston Villa (English Super League)
The news last week was that Aston Villa’s number one keeper, Dutch international Daphne van Domselaar, would miss the rest of the WSL season after undergoing hip surgery. There have also been strong rumours linking her to Arsenal in the summer following her impressive first campaign in England. In which case, she might have played her last game for the Villans already – meaning that Anna Leat’s chance to be the first choice for the rest of this season might also be her chance to audition for the first choice on a permanent basis next season (albeit her contract is running down, having joined AVFC on a two-year deal prior to last season, so that’d need taking care of too).
Leat had already deputised for DVD on several occasions, whilst also playing all of the cup games that she was available for. Last week we covered her performance in the 2-1 win against Everton in the WSL. Prior to that she’d played in the 4-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Conti Cup semi-final, in which a first-half Stina Blackstenius hat-trick set a brutalist tone. Well, guess what? This week she got to play against Arsenal again. Those pesky jokers. The forecast thus spoke of a busy evening for Anna Leat.
And yet, and yet, and yet... at half-time of this match things were looking glorious. Aston Villa had spent the majority of the game in defensive mode but they scored with their only chance after 35 minutes. Adriana Leon with a smart cut-back and Ebony Salmon with the slick finish. AVFC with the 1-0 lead, which they maintained into the break as the Gunners took their time in getting settled (after travel delays from the London club had caused the game to be delayed 45 minutes).
The problem for Aston Villa is that they’ve thrown away more points from winning positions than any other WSL team this season, having taken the lead in ten games prior to this yet only won half of those. The equaliser arrived amidst some heavy Arsenal pressure, though it was a self-inflicted wound as Villa tried to pass out from the back and got caught in the press. Jordan Nobbs turned into traffic and the Gunners were immediately on the attack. Leat made a sharp stop to deny Alessia Russo’s initial attempt but the rebound fell for Victoria Pelova who buried it. Leat might have had a chance at the second effort too but her only recovering defender got in the way... not that you can be very harsh against a defender for imprecise positioning in broken play. 1-1 after 54 minutes.
That spurred Arsenal onwards on what they felt was the path towards victory... however it seems they did not account for the Pride of Arrowtown between those Aston Villa goalposts. Anna Leat had plenty of instances where she calmly stepped out and claimed a cross, or smoothly moved the ball around in possession (although the long passes kept coming straight back, even if she was near-flawless with the short stuff). But that alone wasn’t going to be enough as Arsenal attacked in waves.
So she expertly parried away a header from Lotte Wubben-Moy. Then after hitting a long clearance straight to Beth Mead, Leat made amends by staying big and cleverly denying Catilyn Foord from the resulting cross. Her next trick was a close-range reaction stop off a Stina Blackstenius header. Should also mention that Arsenal hit the woodwork on multiple occasions. All combined Leat made ten saves, including eight from shots inside the penalty area. Arsenal’s scouts might soon realise they’ve been targeting the wrong Villa keeper.
Alas, when your team has zero shots in the second half and only one overall against a team that surged beyond thirty for the match... it’s pretty hard to last ninety minutes. Villa made it to 83’ before a pinpoint Russo cross was headed in by Wubben-Moy. The header too good, back across goal to where Leat couldn’t reach it. Then two very quickly (and controversially) became three when Blackstenius charged into the area, slipped over, blatantly handled the ball, then got back up and fired past Leat at the near post. Might have been offside initially also. Leat was beaten through her legs due to a deflection on the shot.
3-1 was the final score. Villa with one shot, Arsenal with 37 shots (13 on target). It was overwhelming... but the Villans got within ten minutes of hanging on for a point. They’re safe in mid-table anyway so no dire consequences to worry about, and they should have more of an even playing field against Leicester City next week when Anna Leat and CJ Bott go head to head in the last game prior to them flying out to Christchurch for Football Ferns games.
Up Next: Aston Villa vs Leicester City, Sunday at 1.30am (NZT)
Vic Esson - Rangers FC (Scottish Premier League)
There’s a Football Ferns tour coming up in two weeks and these days the duel for the starting goalkeeping gloves is as feisty as it has ever been. Just got through Anna Leat laying down a marker with that performance against Arsenal. So how did Vic Esson go earlier on that same day? Oh nothing major, just won a cup final, is all.
The Scottish League Cup. Rangers won it last year but Esson was an unused substitute for the final. This year there’s been less back and forth rotation in the league but that has at least allowed Esson, the nominal backup, to get plenty of cup starts instead. As she did again here versus Partick Thistle in the SWPL Cup decider.
Rangers were heavy favourites, although it was Thistle who had the first serious chance – finding an overlap into the area with Esson beaten by the shot but she had a defender alongside to cover it (might have been going wide anyway). RFC soon took the lead through Mia McAulay’s thumping finish after a delicious long ball over the top had drawn the keeper into no-woman’s-land. And yet. four minutes later, Partick Thistle drew level when Rachel Donaldson beat Esson with an absolute screamer from about 25 yards out.
But from that point onwards it was all Rangers. Rachel Rowe smashed in a wicked finish after a smart short corner routine on 35’, then Rio Hardy snuck one home after a one-two that took her into the box. That was in first half stoppage time. Less than ten minute into the second spell came an Olivia McLoughlin goal to make it 4-1. Nothing to worry about from there except for the trophy presentation.
That was also a great way to bounce back from defeat against Celtic in the SWPL last week – their first loss in any competition this season. The last time they were beaten prior to that was when Celtic won 2-0 in the Scottish Cup final to close the previous campaign. Esson did play that game, so this makes here 1-1 in cup finals with Rangers... and she might get a chance to turn that into a winning record because Rangers are also due to meet Celtic in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup this time around, with the winner of that game likely to then defeat either Hearts or Spartans at Hampden Park in the final. Plus Rangers, despite that last defeat, remain first in the SWPL. There’s now just one point separating the big three. Rangers have one trophy locked away safely in the cabinet, now to see about the other two.
Up Next: Rangers vs Hibernian at 2am on Monday (NZT)
CJ Bott - Leicester City (English Super League)
Bit of a curveball over here as Leicester City named their side for the match against Brighton and it didn’t include CJ Bott. A reshuffle in midfield led to Janice Cayman being picked at fullback instead, with Asmita Ale selected on the other side – her first start for LCFC after joining on loan from Tottenham in January. Hopefully just a matter of rotation, time shall tell, but regardless it didn’t last long. Bott was subbed on at half-time with the score still at 0-0. On for Ale at right back, same old same old.
The game was scoreless, but both sides had created a few things. Brighton more so, hence you can understand why the Foxes might have wanted the extra defensive solidity of CJB. It was a match in the balance. A match that then went all over the place in the second half.
It took all of three minutes before Bott committed her first foul. Got to get that first one in swiftly to make a point. Prior to that, she’d shown some serious pace tracking back against a counter attack – she’s looking super fit these days and apparently that’s come with sprint training benefits. Interesting also to see her really seeking to drill the ball low into the feet of forwards in the area, rather than lifted hopeful crosses over the top.
That was all part of an energetic Leicester City spell which culminated in a 54th minute belter strike from Jutta Rantala for the lead. However, Brighton were soon level with an air of drama in the 62nd minute. Bott had rushed back to clean up an attack but couldn’t prevent a corner kick. Madison Haley then scored on the end of that corner kick, despite claims of a foul on the goalkeeper. Very harsh. Brighton then quickly took the lead via Katie Robinson on 68’. This time a giveaway from the LCFC keeper leading to a runaway. Five killer minutes which swung this game drastically.
The Foxes went after a response and, though it did take awhile, they would find one in the 84th minute when Lena Peterman converted after w wicked pass from Saori Takarada. Except then subsequently conceded immediately afterwards, Elisabeth Terland with the goal. It was one of those days. Brighton won 3-2. Leicester City have now dropped three in a row.
Up Next: Aston Villa vs Leicester City, Sunday at 1.30am (NZT)
Ria Percival – Crystal Palace (English Championship)
Yeah, that’s the good stuff right there. Ria Percival with her first goal since joining Crystal Palace on loan at the start of 2024.
Ria was featured on the Women’s Championship Show last week, the in-house highlights/magazine show for the division, in which she spoke about a few different angles. One of those was settling into playing right back again (“like the good old days”), which she says she’s really enjoyed, another was how immediately she settled into the Palace squad, helping her to “get her smile back” on the pitch. Now she’s banged in a goal and that smile will be even wider. Love it.
This strike put Palace up 2-0 after 11 minutes against last-placed Watford after Molly Mae Sharpe had already given them the lead. Annabel Blanchard would add a third in the second half (58’). It was a dominant display against a team they expected to beat and then did beat, nothing to worry about. Ria Percival played the full thing. Got that goal and also got to spend much more time in attack than she’s been used to lately. Stepped into six interceptions. Could have had an assist in there. Her best performance this season – including the Tottenham efforts. That smile is definitely returning.
That win also sees CPFC keep pace with Sunderland, who themselves won 5-3 against Durham. Sunderland were up 2-0 after 36 minutes but twice conceded second-half equalisers but eventually they did retake the lead in the 75th minute, although Durham did hit the post within a few seconds of that kickoff, before Katie Kitching set up their fifth to confirm the victory. Surprising to see Sunderland score five times and Katie Kitching only get one assist from all of it. One of those wonky derby games. Sunderland remain first by a point, though Crystal Palace have a game in hand. Good news for both of them was that Southampton lost 2-1 to Blackburn.
Birmingham also remain in the title race after a 2-0 win against Lewes... which keeps Lewes in the relegation zone with only three matches left to play. Lewes had some bright moments in there, with Jacqui Hand having a couple of them including an angled run in behind for a 1v1 from which she placed her shot wide of the post. Birmingham then flipped it by taking a 22nd minute lead, before doubling that very early in the second half. From there, Lewes just didn’t it in them. Hand got a full match but wasn’t very involved after the first goal went in and Birmingham took control. Lewes have some tough fixtures remaining and are going to need to win at least one, probably two of them. If worse comes to worst and they do get relegated, at least Hand will probably be a free agent and can sign elsewhere.
Finally, there was a 2-1 win for London City Lionesses, rallying from a goal down to beat Charlton 2-1 and make it three wins on the trot. Just like that they’ve all but secured their place in the division for another season. Paige Satchell started although all the fun happened after she was subbed off on 74’. Much later, in fact. Lotte Lindstrom’s equalising header fell home in 89th minute, then Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah turned it up in the 90+5th with a stunning runaway winner. Satchell’s best moment was a bit of tenacious battling down the left wing, leading to a spin towards the byline and a low cross that was turned on target but saved. Grace Neville is still out injured, five weeks after what NZF called a “mild calf strain” during the Oceania Olympic Qualifiers.
Up Next: Durham vs Crystal Palace at midnight on Sunday/Monday (NZT)
Katie Bowen - Inter Milan (Italian Serie A)
We haven’t checked in with Inter Milan for a few weeks... because they’ve not been tracking so good. While Katie Bowen was away with the Football Ferns for Olympic Qualifiers (the only games she’s missed this season), they were knocked out of the Coppa Italia by Feyenoord over two legs via a penalty shootout. This was after Bowen’s last game before leaving ended in a shock 3-2 loss to Como. They then beat Pomigliano 6-2 without her, but that was followed by a 2-0 defeat to Juventus and a 2-1 defeat to AC Milan. KB returned for the 3-3 draw with Juve that kicked off the championship rounds but she conceded a penalty in that match. Not quite how a scriptwriter would have penned it.
Add that all together and they’d won once in six matches... so a 3-0 victory cruise against Fiorentina on the weekend was a welcome return to form. Anna maria Serturini got things started with an eighth minute goal. Lina Magull (61’) and Agnese Bonfantini (68’) carried things on in the second half. Bowen played ninety and didn’t put a foot wrong at any stage. Champions League places are long since out of the question for Inter Milan, though this result does put them in the box seat for fourth place.
Up Next: Inter vs Roma at 6.30am on Saturday (NZT)
Moses Dyer - Vancouver FC (Canadian Premier League)
There it is. Moses Dyer caught folks by surprise when it was announced that he’d been released by mutual decision from his FC Tulsa contract right before the USL Championship season was due to begin. A new manager changed up some things and Dyer gapped it to a better situation. That situation was strongly rumoured to be a return to the Canadian Premier League... although not for the same Valour FC team that he scored bundles of goals for in his last stint north of the border. This time he’s kitting up for Vancouver FC.
VFC head coach Afshin Ghotbi: “Moses is a proven goalscorer in the CPL. [He] combines all the qualities of a top striker including pace, power, timing, and a nose for the goal. He will add more fire power to our already exciting front line.”
Moses Dyer: “I am very excited to return to the CPL with Vancouver FC. Canada quickly became like a second home during my previous three years here. It was a place where I flourished into the player that I have become today. I can’t wait to test myself at this new level with a very competitive and exciting squad.”
And there ya go. Weird how that Tulsa thing ended given that he’d been pretty decent for them last year, with nine goal contributions from 30 appearances. Plus they’d specifically re-signed him. But we always want to see kiwi players in the most prosperous situations and the CPL is a league where Dyer’s reputation is strong and well-earned. Plus, as Myer Bevan recently showed, there’s scope for continental footy if things go well enough. Looking forward to the NZ striker shootout between Dyer and Bevan for the golden boot this year.
Up Next: New season starts in April
Abby Erceg – Racing Louisville (American National Women’s Soccer League)
Milly Clegg remains out for RL as she nurses that pesky hamstring injury so we’re a little way away from seeing where she sits in the Louisville pecking order. But luckily Abby Erceg continues to do things like this...
Not very fair that they limited it to regular season minutes because Erceg does have a long history of postseason success as well. Lauren Barnes leads the way with McCall Zerboni and Jess Fishlock also ahead of Erceg... but they’re all still playing so she’s not catching up very fast. Keep in mind that Erceg did play every single minute last season though. Including playoffs, Erceg has played 181 times in the NWSL so with the expanded 14-team competition she should surpass 200 games this season, barring injury.
Erceg celebrated that minutes milestone with a clean sheet, another one of countless throughout her esteemed career. What would have been even better is if she also scored a goal and she very nearly did... only for Houston Dash’s goalie Jane Campbell to stay brave and deny her back-post attempt from an inswinging free kick in the 29th minute. Great run and if the cross had been a little higher than she might have powered a header into the net from there. But it wasn’t and she could only nudge it on target with her torso to where Campbell made the save.
Reilyn Turner had put the ball in the net for RL in the fourth minute only to be correctly flagged offside. Close but them’s the rules. That was one of several efforts that Turner had in the early stages, she was unstoppable up until it came to her finishing. Unfortunately, Campbell also won NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year last season and with this game she’s already the standout candidate in 2024 because she was legendary throughout. Louisville created all sorts of pressure but just could not find a way past. Campbell made nine saves overall in an Anna Leat-esque performance. The final score was 0-0.
That means two straight draws to begin the season for Racing Louisville. Both are games they’ll feel they could have, or even should have, won. But they’re undefeated and it’s always nice to get that first clean sheet bright and early. In other news, it’s interview time...
Up Next: Portland Thorns vs Racing Louisville is on at 12.30pm on Sunday (NZT)
Ali Riley - Angel City FC (American National Women’s Soccer League)
Also yet to win a game are Angel City, following a 1-1 draw with Orlando Pride (whom Racing Louisville drew 2-2 with in week one). Ali Riley started at right back and played 78 minutes, exiting with her team leading 1-0 thanks to a Claire Emslie penalty in the 53rd minute. Quiet game from Riley but we’re used to that since ACFC don’t really use their fullbacks much in an attacking sense.
Still, they were on course for victory when she checked out. Alas, Ali’s old mate Marta then popped up with a genuinely superb 88th minute equaliser. A magnificent strike, with magnificent technique, volleying in directly from a corner kick. Angel City had more than enough chances to have been out of sight by then but sometimes you do simply have to doff your cap to a legend of the game.
By the way, there’s always something extra-curricular going on with Ali Riley and one that hasn’t yet gotten a mention in this column is the Ali In LA video series that she did for Tik Tok & YouTube over the offseason...
Always good value. Unlike the Angel City FC media guide which committed this heinous flag crime...
Up Next: Away to Kansas City on Sunday at 8.30am (NZT)
Alex Greive - Dundee United (Scottish Championship)
The one benefit of missing the cut for the latest All Whites tour was that Alex Greive could still play for Dundee United as they chase promotion to the Scottish top flight. He was picked to start again in the match against Inverness, but sadly this one turned out to be more points dropped.
Greive was the first fella to launch a decent shot in this match, working a one-two in the area then firing narrowly wide. With AG operating as the lone striker there was a clear focus on getting him running. Problem was, they conceded a silly one after 12 minutes and spent the rest of the first half in arrears. Greive also had a cross that he lifted a little high. There was a rebound that he was all set to pounce upon until the keeper snatched it up at the second attempt. He was lively and he was involved... but he didn’t get the rewards. However Tony Watt did equalise in the 55th minute with an outrageous long ranger, getting under a dipping half-volley to ensure that Dundee United at least got a 1-1 draw. Should’ve been more for all their efforts but so it goes. Greive played 75 minutes.
Helpfully, Raith Rovers had their game postponed so Dundee United at least remain first for now, with six rounds remaining. Those two play each other next in an absolutely massive fixture within the context of this title race. In the other match of note, George Stanger got a full ninety in a 2-1 loss for Ayr United against Queen’s Park. Still a bit of work for them to do to ensure they avoid a relegation playoff.
Up Next: 4am on Sunday it’s the biggie as Dundee United face Raith Rovers (NZT)
Indiah-Paige Riley - PSV Eindhoven / Emma Pijnenburg – Feyenoord (Dutch Eredivisie)
Every now and then we get Flying Kiwis Derbies where two Aotearoa footballers go head to head for their respective teams. Often those derbies don’t quite live up to the hope, with one player left on the bench or injured, et cetera. This one went above and beyond. Not only has Emma Pijnenburg broken into the Feyenoord first team in time to meet up with Indi Riley’s PSV team but she’s done so as a right fullback... while IPR has been starting games on the left wing. This wasn’t just a club match-up, they were literally marking each other.
Neither team has much left to play for, though they’ve both been in good touch lately. PSV’s loss to leaders FC Twente last week broke a five-game Eredivisie winning streak while Feyenoord had won all four games in which Pijnenburg has played (including a 3-0 cup win vs FC Twente as covered last week). But PSV were still favourites and they started brighter, with Riley fired a potentially-deflected shot over the top from just outside the area – which might have led to a penalty for a defensive handball just prior but the ref wasn’t having it. PSV would also go close with a goal-mouth scramble that drew a brilliant save out of the Feyenoord gloveswoman, as well as a dangerous low cross that didn’t draw a touch out of anyone.
It took over half an hour before Feyenoord joined the party. When they did, it involved a smart shift from Pijnenburg drifting centrally to spark a move that ended with a long shot being pushed over the bar for a corner. Nothing doing there, so onwards it went with the game still scoreless. Pijnenburg would be subbed off after 72 minutes of solid mahi. Soon afterwards her team took the lead. Ella van Kerkhoven tapping in at the far post from Dechamaily Lont’s pinpoint cross. Problem for them was that PSV equalised within seconds of kickoff, Chimera Ripa with a looping header. Back level after 78 minutes. Riley would be subbed herself in the closing stages as the game ended in a fitting 1-1 draw. Feyenoord remain undefeated with Emma Pijnenburg involved.
Spot the two New Zealanders in this image...
The funny thing is, despite how funky it was to have two kiwis in direct combat like this... they probably don’t even know each other. They were both born in Auckland but there’s a three-year age gap between them, and Riley spent most of her footballing development in Australia, while Pijnenburg has yet to make the senior national team (though will be a key player at the U20 World Cup later in the year). Anyway, the reason they took the combined photo was a league-wide demonstration by players rightfully annoyed by the low salaries being offered in the Eredivisie. The shirts being held up at the front read: “Betaald Voetball Betalld Worken”, which effectively translates to: Professional Football means Getting Paid.
Up Next: Feyenoord vs Telstar on Sunday at 3am; AZ vs PSV on Monday at 1.15am (NZT)
Malia Steinmetz – FC Nordsjælland / Claudia Bunge & Daisy Cleverley - HB Køge (Danish Kvindeliga)
One shining moment was all that separated FC Nordsjælland from HB Køge when they met in the Danish top flight this week. It was Claudia Bunge against Malia Steinmetz, two players who know each other extremely well from Auckland club football through to age grade stuff through to National League and into the Football Ferns. Steinmetz wasn’t involved as her team swept up the left wing on a transition attack. Bunge tracked back to the near post in defence yet could do nothing but watch as Signe Markvardsen slid the ball into her own net under pressure. 33rd minute of the game. That was the only goal.
Steinmetz would be subbed after an hour which is surprisingly early for her. At the same time, HBK prepped a sub which saw Daisy Cleverley introduced for the last half hour. DC wasn’t able to turn the tide although Bunge almost did, hitting the woodwork with an attempt. So it was that FCN claimed the 1-0 win that sent them back to the top of the table for 24 hours, until Brøndby’s 0-0 draw with Fortuna gave them a one point advantage. HBK are still there one further point back in third. All still to play for. Meanwhile AGF beat Kolding 3-0 with Ally Green getting ten minutes off the bench.
Up Next: HBK vs Kolding at 3am on Saturday; FCB vs Brøndby at 2am on Sunday; FH vs AGF at 3am on Sunday (NZT)
Kyle Adams - Louisville City (American USL Championship)
The kiwi presence in the USL Championship hasn’t been amazing so far. A few blokes have left since last season, and the only new addition Riley Bidois hasn’t yet played for Loudon United. We do get a bit of Elliot Collier off the bench for Indy Eleven while James Musa is doing his bit for Colorado Springs. But the main man is, once again, Kyle Adams. Captaining Louisville City, this week leading them to a 3-1 win over Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Two wins from two. They’re one of only three teams who still have perfect records.
Up Next: Lou City vs Birmingham Legion at 9am on Sunday (NZT)
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