Flying Kiwis – July 16
Ben Old - AS Saint-Étienne (French Ligue 1)
Ben Old got to France before his Aotearoa Olympic squadmates in order to take care of a little bit of business. Just the small matter of signing a four year contract with AS Saint-Étienne... with an option for a fifth. He leaves the Wellington Phoenix, with whom he had three more years under contract, for an undisclosed fee that’s understood to be in excess of seven figures in Aotearoa currency. Second only to Alex Paulsen for Welly Nix transfer fees.
Olivier Dall’Oglio, ASSE coach: “Ben is a very young player, brave, who arrives from the other side of the world and with whom it will be necessary to be patient. But he has the abilities to bring something interesting. He’s got an impressive profile, very high work-rate, and mostly plays on the left but is capable of performing in several positions.”
ASSE have been one of the powerhouse clubs in French football over the past century... though not so much lately. They’ve won the league title ten times but the most recent of those came in 1980-81. They made a European Cup final in 1975-76, losing 1-0 to Bayern Munich. However, more recently it’s been a tale of troubles including relegation in 2021-22. For a while there in the following season they were even flirting with a second relegation, but things have been better since. They were promoted back to the top tier with a third-placed finish last season, winning through the playoffs thanks to an extra time goal in the second leg against FC Metz. Back where they belong in Ligue 1. Their stadium is actually one of the venues for the Olympic Games – the Football Ferns will play their opening game against Canada there.
The club also recently took on new ownership in the form of Canadian investment group Kilmer Sports Ventures, the same group that also owns the Toronto Raptors (NBA) and Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL). Those negotiations were helmed by former Arsenal and Inter Milan CEO Ivan Gazidis, who has been installed as club president. Even before that they were talking up the implementation of their clever new data-based scouting and transfer system... a system that produced Ben Old’s name when they went looking for speedy left-footed dribblers (as well it should).
They also do this thing at Saint-Étienne called “Vert l'Avenir”, aka Green The Future. The club’s main colour is green and they tie that in with their club-wide social initiatives. Part of that is getting all of their employees, players especially, to advocate one of the four pillars of that programme: Community, Environment, Health, and Sport For All. Oldy went with Sport For All. Beautiful stuff.
There was also no question of him being withheld from the Olympics, with Old granted permission to attend same as they did for his new ASSE teammate Benjamin Bouchouari who’ll be featuring for Morocco. As we learned with a few others, particularly those at English Premier League clubs, that was far from a given due to the tournament taking place outside of the FIFA window. So big churs to Saint-Étienne. Big churs until they changed their mind. French media are now reporting that Old turned up with an ankle issue and after discussions with his coach/club they’ve decided he won’t be linking up with the OlyWhites after all. Old will have an individualised training programme for a few days while they get him back up to scratch.
That’s a bummer, especially after the Olympic side had already lost Chris Wood, Marko Stamenic, Matt Dibley-Dias, and Liberato Cacace to club commitments (and Tim Payne to injury). But Old has been injury-prone in his career and this is an opportunity not to be wasted so you can understand the thinking. Won’t have been an easy call for him to make. The French season gets underway in a month and they’ve given him the number 11 jersey. Despite the coach talking about the need for patience with him, the signs suggest he’s absolutely in their immediate plans.
In case you’re wondering, Bill Tuiloma is the only kiwi bloke to have previously played in Ligue 1, making two substitute appearances for Marseilles back in 2014-15 (under the coaching guidance of the great Marcelo Bielsa). It’s no better on the women’s side either with Erin Nayler the only NZer to have featured in the Première Ligue.
Up Next: Would have been Olympics, instead it’s preseason antics
Joe Bell – Viking FK (Norwegian Eliteserien)
Hypothetical Mana Waves to our pals at Viking FK for allowing Joe Bell to link up with the NZ Olympic squad at short notice after other overage players were made unavailable by their clubs. There’s no break in the Norwegian league so he’ll potentially miss at least two or three matches and that’ll include their meeting with Molde, possibly even their match against Bodø/Glimt too depending on how far the OlyWhites can take it in Paris. All this at a time when Viking FK have rounded the bend into some superb winning form that’s got them challenging for Europe again on the edges of the title race. They didn’t have to release him but they did and we thank them for it... and hope the Vikes can keep on winning in his absence.
They won in his presence this week. A 2-0 victory against Kristiansund courtesy of a Sander Svendsen double (46’, 67’). It was a good team performance and a deserved three points. Kristiansund only had one shot on target all match... they did hit the crossbar late first half at 0-0 but that was a chipped effort that always looked like it was going high. VFK then scored a mere ten seconds into the second spell as Svendsen smashed one low off the post. Twenty minutes later the same bloke snuck a shot inside the near post on the other side from a little closer. Keeper shoulda done better with both but Viking were going to score eventually, one way or another.
Only pesky factor is that Joe Bell is serving up 2-3 assist-worthy passes every game but they’re not being finished off. Regardless, Bellinho played ninety minutes here with a yellow card and completed 84/95 pass attempts (88%). Viking have won six of their last seven matches, drawing the other, and Bell has been immense for them throughout this run. They’re up to fourth place and if they win their game in hand then they’ll only be two points off top, following defeat for Bodø/Glimt this round.
Up Next: Haugesund vs Viking at 3am on Monday – though Bell might have already linked up with the OlyWhites by then (NZT)
Grace Neville - London City Lionesses (England Championship)
These are exciting times at London City Lionesses with new ownership, a new training facility on the way, and a new star player in the form of Swedish captain Kosovare Asllani. Sadly we’ve already had to cover how that new ambition and investment has come at the expense of Paige Satchell, who was released when her contract expired. But the signs were always good that Grace Neville would be sticking around. She wasn’t listed as a released player despite her contract also running down. Her image was used in some preseason promotional stuff. And since the start of July they’ve been steadily unveiling their returning players one by one. Last Wednesday NZT it was Grace Neville’s turn.
The Neviller is back for a sixth season with LCL, having scored the team’s first ever goal back in 2019. With 74 appearances, she’s third on the all-time list for the Lionesses – and would probably be higher were it not for injuries. She’s only 24 years old. A tad unlucky to miss out on Olympic selection with the Football Ferns but if LCL are as good as they intend to be this upcoming Championship term then that’ll go a long way towards getting her more regular opportunities with the national team. Neville has signed a one-year extension with an option for an additional season.
Director of Football Ronald Thompson: “Grace offers us a level of maturity, while still being young and improving all the time. She’s hungry to play and wants to do that at the highest level. With Grace’s desire and defensive ability, we felt that it was a really easy decision to keep her because she will continue to grow with the Club.”
Grace Neville: “I can’t wait to get started because it feels like this kind of opportunity has been a long-time coming. The Club is in a brilliant position and I’m really proud and excited to be a part of it. Previously, we were fortunate to have good people and players come through the door. Now, we have a whole business model, training ground, and strategy to go with it. I really think this year could be the year that we push for promotion and turn our aspirations into reality.”
GN thus becomes the third kiwi locked in for the upcoming Championship season. Katie Kitching was already under contract at Sunderland and Hannah Blake has joined Durham. We’re building up a crew again here, people.
Up Next: FA WSL Championship kicks off in mid-September
Nando Pijnaker – Sligo Rovers / Alex Greive - Bohemian FC (League of Ireland Premier Division)
This was Alex Greive’s debut for Bohemians yet it was Nando Pijnaker who stole the show. Greive got around half an hour off the bench, showing plenty of energy and completing all ten pass attempts, but Pijnaker was the bloke who walked away with a win, a clean sheet, and even an assist. No kidding, check it out...
Yeah okay it wasn’t exactly a pinpoint cross or a perfect through ball. Nonetheless, it was an important defensive header and he gets extra credit for being the first to catch up with goal-scorer Ellis Chapman way up the other end of the pitch for the celebrations after Chappers managed to place his shot into an empty net from inside his own half in the fifth minute of stoppage time, with the keeper having abandoned his post to go up for a free kick. Alex Greive was somewhere in the middle hoping for a decent cross which is absolutely not what he received.
Sligo Rovers were pretty messy to begin with, lucky not to already be in deficit when suddenly, after 35 minutes, Wilson Waweru dashed through onto a Chapman through ball and rounded the goalie to score. Lovely stuff for them... until Stephen Mallon was sent off a few minutes later for a second bookable offence. Needless to say, that was a huge twist in the contest which allowed Bohs to do most of the attacking the rest of the way. Yet they never found a way through the Pijnaker-constructed wall despite 26 shot attempts and 70% of possession. Greive came on into that status quo, adding his input with a blocked shot into a crowd after a clever drifting run across the box (that move ended with a goal-line clearance).
Pijnaker didn’t block that AG shot nor clear that subsequent chance but he did also make a bunch of courageous defensive efforts as Sligo Rovers claimed another three points. Suddenly they’ve won three in a row. Suddenly they’re only points difference off fourth place on the ladder. Next up, Sligo will be visited by Everton who are playing a preseason game there, after which there’s some FAI Cup action.
Elsewhere, there was no Norman Garbett in the squad as Dundalk got a crucial 4-2 win over Drogheda. Massive win against the bottom team that opens up a five-point gap between themselves and the Drogs. Lots of work to do to climb any higher but at least second-to-last gets a chance to save themselves with a relegation playoff whereas last place goes down automatically. A real shame that Garbs missed this one as it would have been a great chance to get a goal contribution or two... alas, he picked up a knock along the way. Hopefully nothing that’ll cost him any further time beyond this.
Up Next: Sligo Rovers vs Everton on Saturday at 3am in an exhibition game, then Sligo Rovers vs Cobh Wanderers on Monday at 5am in the cup (NZT)
Logan Rogerson - FC Noah (Armenian Premier League)
Time for a peek at the latest in the nomadic career of Logan Rogerson. He spent some time in the Wellington Phoenix Academy, he went to Germany for a bit in the lower leagues, he returned for some glorious times with Auckland City, then went off to HJK in Finland though found his feet with FC Haka in the same division. Then, earlier this year, he made the switch to FC Noah in Armenia and initially got some decent opportunities until a calf injury slowed him down and he only got two appearances from the team’s last twelve games as they finished second in the Armenian Premier League. Six games for 195 minutes overall, plus another hour in a cup game defeat.
Not a lot of opportunity so far but that can happen when you jump in after the half-way stage of an ongoing season. The new campaign is a fresh start and he recently scored twice in a friendly game against Vojvodina during a training camp in Serbia. Good yarns. Unfortunately he didn’t make the matchday squad for their first leg Europa Conference League qualifier against Shkëndija of North Macedonia, a game which they won 2-0 at home. Goals from Goncalo Gregorio (81’) and Aleksandar Miljkovic (90’) gave FCN a healthy lead ahead of the return leg on Friday. Maybe Rog can sneak into the side for that one.
Fingers crossed that he does because there seems to be a smaller kiwi presence across the UEFA competitions this year. As things stand, we’ve got no compatriots in the Men’s Champions League though it will be a different story in the Europa League, where Marko Stamenic and his new Olympiacos teammates will go straight into the League Phase without needing to qualify. Callum McCowatt and Silkeborg will join that comp in the second qualifying round after winning the Danish Cup last season – they face Molde (Norway) over two legs starting next week and will then need to win two other ties to make it to the League Phase (which is replacing the Group Stage from 2024-25 onwards).
If Silkeborg fail along the way, they will at least drop into the Conference League qualifiers for a second chance at continental progress. Right now FC Noah are the only side involved there with a New Zealander on the books (and he wasn’t even in the squad for their first match - maybe he was injured?). If they should advance then they’ll meet Sliema Wanderers (Malta) in the second round of qualifiers.
They also did the initial draw for the Women’s Champions League qualifiers last week and it was pretty ruthless, mate. Vic Esson and Rangers were given the most brutal possible outcome with Arsenal awaiting them in England for a one-legged semi-final. Either Atletico Madrid (Spain) or Rosenborg (Norway) will follow, with only the mini-tournament winner advancing to the second round of qualifying. Malia Steinmetz and Nordsjaelland also got a rough draw against Benfica (Portugal), with SFK 2000 (Bosnia) and KI (Iceland) in the other semi-final. If they can get past Benfica then they should be able to beat the others. SFK 2000 are the tournament hosts. These games are in early September so both Football Ferns will be available post-Olympics. Nasty work from the ping-pong balls there, but perhaps the transfer window will contribute a few more candidates before its done.
Up Next: Shkëndija vs FC Noah at 6am on Friday in Conference League qualifying (NZT)
Michael Boxall – Minnesota United (American Major League Soccer)
Sixteen years ago, Michael Boxall attended the 2008 Olympics in Beijing as a teenager, getting to experience a Ronaldinho masterclass in a 4-0 loss to Brazil amongst other things. Now, thanks to some withdrawals elsewhere, he’s getting the chance to go again for Paris 2024. Answering the call at short notice. Much obliged to Minnesota United for allowing it to happen... considering what a shambles it was when he was selected last time only to get injured and have his ex-Minnesota coach change his mind and refuse to release him. It turned out that Boxy was too injured to partake anyway, not returning for MNUFC until after the Olympics, but then-U23s coach Danny Hay chose not to replace him on the roster. It was weird. Nice of the Loons to make it up to us a few years later.
Although hold the applause because he’s not actually going to miss any MLS games. The agreement is that he’ll remain until the Leagues Cup break and then depart which means three games in seven days then a flight to France before three more games in seven days as an overage player for the NZ U23s. He flies out to Paris on July 21, his first game in Paris is on July 24 (against Guinea, our most winnable fixture). In other words, pray for the bloke’s stamina because it is about to take a beating.
Thankfully, he got through the first of those games unscathed. Boxy did his bit in a 1-1 draw away to Houston Dynamo and maybe that doesn’t sound like much but it broke a six-game losing streak. Robin Lod gave the Loons the lead after 70 minutes. They couldn’t hold it, conceding the leveller to Sebastian Ferreira on 82’, but considering they only had 32% of possession and roughly a quarter as many shots as their opponents, not to mention playing away in Texas at the hottest time of the year (they had to delay the game due to the heat), that was definitely a point to be proud of.
Up Next: Minnesota vs DC United on Thursday at 12.30pm; Minnesota vs San Jose on Sunday at 12.30pm (NZT)
Ollie Whyte - FC Haka (Finnish Veikkausliiga)
That’s how it’s done. Sharp movement at that near post and an emphatic finish, Ollie Whyte tying things up for FC Haka against Ilves before a loose defensive pass was picked off by Evangelos Patoulidis in stoppage time and that bloke did the honours for a 4-3 Haka victory. Crazy game. Great outcome. Whyte played ninety minutes in the newly evolved striker’s role that he’s been making his own lately. This was his second Veikkausligga goal this year to go with two assists. Chuck in the cup comps and he’s up to six goals and eight assists from 22 matches. Outstanding return for a bloke who had to trial for his contract a few months ago.
It was also a fourth win from six league fixtures for the club, who have also progressed to the semis of the Suomen Cup in that time. They’ve discovered some delightful form lately and Whyte’s become a key player during this span. Wonderful stuff. Even better is that the Finnish league is more open than usual this year with every team having lost at least three times already (teams having played 14-16 games). FCH’s spell of results has boosted them up to fourth on the ladder, only one point behind the three teams who are tied for first (KuPS, HJK, and SJK). This is very much a situation to watch... especially if they can win against HJK next week.
Up Next: HJK vs Haka at 2am on Sunday (NZT)
Tyler Boyd - Nashville SC (American Major League Soccer)
Hey look at that. Tyler Boyd lurking back stick for his second MLS goal of the season (he also has two assists, plus he scored in the Concacaf Champions Cup on debut for the club). Nashville went on to lose 2-1 against DC United, leaking twice inside ten minutes of the second half beginning, but at least Nashville’s favourite Tauranga-born dual-international winger was on the scoresheet. He’s been a little in-and-out of the starting line-up lately so this was a timely reminder of what he’s capable of as the club prepares for the arrival of new coach BJ Callaghan next week.
Weird story: there’s a bloke called Tyler Boyd who plays as a wide receiver in the NFL – if you’ve tried searching Boyd’s name to track his progress then you’ve probably seen the other Boyd’s highlights already. That Tyler Boyd used to play for the Cincinnati Bengals but he’s signed for the Tennessee Titans for next season... meaning that both of them are now based in the same city. Soccer-playing TB is hoping to finagle a jersey swap between them at some stage according to a new profile in The Tennessean. A profile that ends with this wholesome note, Boyd having finally found a stable spot in professional football following what must have been some pretty frisky years over in Turkey...
Up Next: Nashville vs Orlando at 12.30pm on Thursday (NZT)
James Musa & Elliot Collier – Indy Eleven (American USL Championship)
No sooner did James Musa get back on the wagon than he suddenly fell off again. He debuted for his new club in a 3-3 draw away to Rhode Island last week but was subbed at half-time and then didn’t feature in either of their two games since. Gotta be a matter of injury, surely. Anyway, he’s in a good spot now because Indy Eleven just did something amazing by beating Atlanta United 2-1 in the US Open Cup quarter-finals. Dropped an MLS team. Collier played 22 minutes off the bench and was open at the back post for the second goal had it made it that far... instead a defender stuck a leg out and scored an OG. It was the first time that Indy Eleven had ever beaten an MLS opponent and they’ll get the chance to do so again in six weeks when they face Sporting Kansas City in the semi-finals. Seattle Sounders vs LAFC is the other semi.
That was an amazing team achievement. A couple days later they went and backed it up with a 1-1 draw at home to Loudon United, which doesn’t sound like much until you see who got the equaliser...
Noice. Very noice. It’s the irony of Collier’s whole career that people see how tall he is and assume he’s a target man striker when in actual fact he’s a tricky winger who can do stuff like that. That’s his third goal of the USL season – taking him 17 games to get there though when you consider that EC has only made one start and has scored those three goals in 379 minutes suddenly that’s a pretty bloody good strike-rate. Already mentioned that there was no James Musa in the squad. The opponents Loudon did have Riley Bidois in his last match before travelling out for the Olympics but they left him on the bench to be safe.
Up Next: Indy Eleven vs Tampa Bay Rowdies on Sunday at 11am (NZT)
James McGarry - Aberdeen (Scottish Premiership)
New season. New manager. New start for James McGarry. He struggled with injuries during his first season with the Dons and never really nailed down any consistent minutes so you’ll be pleased to know he’s had a strong preseason serving up multiple assists and was able to translate that into an appearance off the bench in Aberdeen’s opening League Cup group stage fixture.
The Dons won 3-0 against Queen of the South. Jack McKenzie started at left-back but McGarry swapped in for him as part of a triple substitution after 66 minutes. The scoring was already done by then but what matters is that he’s in the plans for season two looking nice and fit. The Scottish League Cup groups involve clubs in the top three tiers (except those who’re in Europe, since they’ve got qualifiers to focus on) hence there are also two other NZers partaking: George Stanger with Ayr United (second tier) and Will Gillingham with Cove Rangers (third tier). But they both had byes for matchweek one.
Up Next: Sunday at 2am vs East Kilbride in the League Cup group stage (NZT)
Chris Wood - Nottingham Forest (English Premier League)
It’s only preseason and they were only up against League One’s Chesterfield... but it’s still nice to see Chris Wood pocket his first goal of the new campaign. Just because it doesn’t count on the stats doesn’t meant it won’t give the big man some confidence. Wood’s goal broke the deadlock after 67 minutes, running onto a through ball from Callum Hudson-Odoi. Josh Bowler and Ibrahim Sangaré would add further goals so that Forest ended up winning 3-0.
Nuno Espirito Santo used two distinct outfield line-ups between the first half and the second, with new signing Carlos Miguel playing the full thing in goal. Looked like Santo shuffled things up his first and second elevens, although Woodsy’s second half side was clearly stronger (Hudson-Odoi, Morgan Gibbs-White, Danilo, Murilo, etc.). No Taiwo Awoniyi after he picked up a knock in training. Emmanuel Dennis started up top, the Nigerian striker having spent last season out on loan.
After this it’s off to Spain for a training camp where Forest will play three more friendlies – apparently that’s what was so important that Chris Wood couldn’t play at the Olympics. So it goes. There’s a clip in here at around 3:45 where he shakes hands and cracks a joke with the club media team on day one of preseason. By far the friendliest and most genuine reaction from the players shown, no wonder they want to keep him around...
Up Next: Practice games in Spain, no worries
George Stanger – Ayr United (Scottish Championship)
Speaking of preseason goals, check out the first one in this highlights package...
That’s George Stanger in the #14 with the long ranger banger (that admittedly snuck through the goalie’s grasp). Part of a 3-2 win for Ayr United against Kilmarnock. They also drew 1-1 with Celtic a week earlier so preseason’s been going alright for them. After this their Scottish League Cup group stage efforts begin and things will get a little more competitive.
It was also reported that Elijah Just had scored in AC Horsens’ preseason win over PEC Zwolle... though it later turned out that was misattributed. It was actually Marvin Egho and Sebastian Pingel, two new signings for ACH, who got the goals. There were four new signings in the starting eleven overall while Just played off the bench... makes you think about the start of the year when IFK Goteborg wanted to sign Just but ACH wouldn’t let him go because they didn’t have time to sign a replacement. Seems they’ve signed a heap of fellas this window though. Could be something to keep an eye on. Of course, PEC Zwolle is also the club of Ryan Thomas but we didn’t get an Ole Academy reunion there as Thommo’s still being built back up to fitness after the third season-ending knee surgery of his career. He is back in training though.
Up Next: Ayr vs Falkirk at 6.45am on Wednesday, League Cup group stage (NZT)
Niko Kirwan – Calcio Padova (Italian Serie C)
It wasn’t very long ago that Tutto Mercato were reporting Niko Kirwan’s impending departure at the conclusion of his Padova contract, with Perugia apparently circling for his signature. Next thing you know, there was Kirwan as one of the first blokes back for preseason medical testing before being listed in the travelling squad for their upcoming training camp... apparently he’s not leaving after all. Perhaps he had a sneaky contract option that’s been picked up, perhaps he was always under contract and this was misreported, perhaps he was off contract but signed a new one. Doesn’t matter. Perugia was only going to be a sideways move so might as well try get promotion with the familiar club which he captained several times last campaign.
Up Next: August 5 is Cesena vs Padova in the Coppa Italia prelims – first competitive game of the new campaign (NZT)
Hannah Blake – Durham FC (English Championship)
Up Next: Preseason stuff
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