Flying Kiwis – September 23
Callum McCowatt – AGF (Danish Superliga)
It had been nine games without a win for AGF across all competitions. Tough times for the defending champs of Denmark – that run also included them tumbling out of Champions League and then Europa League qualifiers. It was Sabah of Azerbaijan who beat them 5-2 on aggregate in the UCL qualifiers... Joe Bell’s Viking face them in the League Phase in a few weeks so that’ll be a curious one to see how those respective teams compare.
Granted, the AGF team that lost to Sabah was an AGF team without Callum McCowatt. They’ve been better since he arrived. There was a 2-2 draw against Silkeborg in his debut, scoring twice after McCowatt was subbed on to overturn a two-goal deficit. Then the 2-0 loss against FC Nordsjælland had been goalless after 75 minutes with the potential to go either way. Signs were there even before an explosive week from the All Whites forward.
That win drought was never going to stretch into a tenth game because up the calendar held for them a Danish Cup match against Skjold – a regional team based in the fifth tier of Danish footy. Those guys were absolutely chuffed with this game and as soon as it finished were talking about sinking some beers and hotdogs... there were even (untrue) rumours of Skjold leaving in a party bus. All of which is to say that there were no dramas on the pitch as AGF tasted victory for the first time in 42 days, naming a strong side that included Callum McCowatt and a few other first choice fellas and cruising to a 6-1 victory. The one was a penalty after a cross allegedly struck an arm but that didn’t happen until after AGF had already scored six unanswered. No surprises that McCowatt was heavily involved...
First goal contributions in the new threads for CM, coming in his third appearance (second start). This one was there for the taking but you’ve still gotta put the ball in the net and they did, moving onwards into the fourth round of the cup. Both AGF and McCowatt have some history in this competition: it was AGF that Silkeborg beat 1-0 in the 2024 final when McCowatt was part of that trophy-winning side. Perhaps this time they can win it together, wouldn't that be nice?
It’d be nice if they could win a league game one day too. They were on track for victory against AC Horsens, with Callum McCowatt doing this 19 seconds after being substituted into the game to make it 2-0 after 68 minutes...
However they couldn’t handle the aerial onslaught in the closing stages and conceded goals on 89’ and 90+4’ to doom them to a 2-2 draw and keep them winless after nine matches (0-5-4) heading into the extended international break. Only goal difference and their penchant for draws are keeping them above last place since AGF are the only remaining team without a win. That’s because the other winless team heading into this round got that monkey off their back in happy fashion but we’ll get to Dalton Wilkins and Sønderjyske in a sec.
Callum McCowatt: “We conceded two late goals and didn’t win, of course it’s gutting. Feels like a loss. That’s the reality. Goals are the best thing in football but I was trying to stay calm – the job was still to finish the game and we didn’t. We were in a position where we should have won and that’s not good for us. We stopped doing the things that got us to the point of being 2-0 up and sometimes trying to win a football game can be difficult in that way because you get closer and closer to the end and you get nervous. But we needed to continue to do the things that got us to the point where we were ahead, maybe try to extend the lead instead of going into our shell and defending so deep. Having said that, we should have been able to deal with that. It’s disappointing.”
Up Next: It’s a long international window so we won’t see AGF again until they face Sonderjyke at 6am on Tuesday 13 October for a McCowatt vs Wilkins derby fresh after two weeks hanging out with the national team together (NZT)
Jesse Randall – Dundee United (Scottish Premiership)
After three straight bench appearances for Jesse Randall, the injury last game to Mehdi Merghem was always likely to put an end to that streak. Sure enough, JR was picked to start on the right wing against St Mirren and say would you look at this....
Randall was immediately in the action putting his team ahead in the sixth minute, running in behind and rounding the keeper despite (by his own admission) a heavy first touch. That’s what a burst of pace can do for you. Lyall Cameron doubled the lead in the twelfth minute and just before half-time, Randall squared one for Kevin Ciubotaru to make it three. There had been a frisky moment between the second and third goals when left-winger Daniel Bennie (who set up Randall’s goal) was shown a straight red... but that was reverted to a yellow upon video review. Randall almost got a second assist later on when he angled a pass in behind for Lachlan Rose to finish except the Aussie forward was judged offside.
Not to worry because Dundee United never gave their hosts a sniff and celebrated a 3-0 win at the final whistle. Second victory of the league season and easily one of their most complete performances thus far. Jesse Randall now has two goals and two assists from seven appearances (working out to a goal contribution every 107 minutes). The win jumps Dundee Utd from eleventh to ninth place heading into the break. They’re exactly level with Alex Paulsen’s Motherwell on points, goal difference, and goals scored. George Stanger’s Kilmarnock are last.
Jesse Randall: “Yeah, I mean it was a great little combination between Jesse, Dan, and I and then Dan played a great ball to me. Initially I thought I took a bit of a heavy touch but I think the wind helped me a bit there. I was just trying to just keep calm and take it around the keeper and yeah ended up doing what I hoped to do. To get a goal in the first five minutes, I think really helped settle the nerves for the boys and we took that and ran away with it in the end. Just gave us a real good confidence.”
Motherwell have lost three on the bounce following a 2-1 defeat against Dundee (the other Dundee team). They went behind midway through the first half after giving away a penalty for handball (defender turned his back on a cross but left his hand dangling). Paulsen dove the right way and got a big glove on Joe Westley’s shot yet it still squeezed past him and into the net. He got so much on it that it was actually surprising that he didn’t save it. Weird thing about AP is that his penalty-saving was legendary in the A-League but he’s 0/8 in European football between Lechia Gdansk and Motherwell.
The post and some sharp last-ditch defending kept him safe for awhile but then AP made a major blunder when he misjudged a headed shot, thinking it was bouncing wide only to hit the post and go in. The error he made against Rangers a few weeks ago (getting tackled dwelling on the ball outside his area) got way more focus but that one came with the territory of how Motherwell want to play. This one was just plain and simply a goalkeeping boo-boo.
But Motherwell did get a goal back before the break via Alex Lowry (44’) and same as was the case against Rangers, Paulsen responded to that mistake by making a flurry of fine saves in the second spell to keep his team in the hunt. Unfortunately their forwards are misfiring at the moment so a 2-1 defeat it was. Some rocks and diamonds in that performance from the kiwi keeper though you have to respect the resilience and on the whole he’s probably still coming out of it with a profit. He can’t let these errors become a common thing, is all – that’s two shockers in the space of three weeks.
As for Kilmarnock, they drew 1-1 with Hearts. Really nice result which continues the uptick in form from Killie, with George Stanger a big part in these defensive improvements. They conceded 13 goals in three games and have only allowed two in the four matches since. Unbeaten in their last three outings. Stanger blocked three shots and made seven defensive clearances so if he’s auditioning to be Finn Surman’s understudy for the All Whites then he’s going the right way about it.
Up Next: Dundee Utd vs Hibernian at 3am on 11 October (NZT)
Katie Bowen - Fenerbahçe (Turkish Süper Ligi)
Katie Bowen on the scoresheet. Opening goal in what became a 3-0 win for Fenerbahçe away against Beşiktaş. It was Katie Bowen (13’), Andrea Staskova (43’), and Abideen Kaydetti (85’) with the goals as Fenerbahçe made it four wins from four to begin their Süper Ligi title defence in Türkiye. They’ve scored 20 goals and conceded zero to this point.
That’s KB’s first goal for the club that she joined a couple months ago. She was rested for a 12-0 win against Şile Bilgidoğa a couple weeks ago (yeah fair enough) but has otherwise played every minute of the other three league games plus both Champions League qualifiers (including the extra time/penalties defeat vs OH Leuven). She’s been keeping busy – even if another Football Ferns squad just went by without Bowen being selected. She’s only had one call-up from the nine squads since the Olympics and there’s never been any valid explanation as to whether that’s KB’s decision or a coaching call, nor about what the future holds for the 116-cap defender who remains among our most prominent overseas pros.
But in the meantime, the focus shifts towards the Europa Cup as Fenerbahçe’s European journey continues with a two-legged qualifying tie against FC Minsk (Belarus), with the away leg on the weekend and the home leg four days later. Also participating in those qualifiers are Rangers (Scotland) with Hannah Blake – they’ve got Hammarby of Sweden in a brutal tie; and FHingar (Iceland) with Helena Errington, who’ll prepare for her first Football Ferns call-up by facing Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany) in another uphill battle. We’ll see how it goes (those other two games are on Thursday morning NZT) but safe to say our hopes in this competition rest mostly upon the shoulders of Katie Bowen.
Up Next: Minsk vs Fenerbahçe 3am on Sunday (NZT)
Marko Stamenic & Elijah Just – Swansea City (English Championship)
Elijah Just: “It’s been quite fast to settle in. Marko and Welshy have helped me a lot and the boys in the locker room are good. Obviously a good start so everyone has positive vibes. It’s always easier when you’re going hard rather than struggling. [The Championship] has been somewhat as I expected. I knew that coming in, every game is difficult. It’s different to a lot of leagues in that a lot of the teams are quite close together and every game, if you’re not right at the top of your level then you’re going to struggle. It’s similar in a lot of ways [to Scotland]. Very physical. The quality of players is definitely higher in the Championship. The intensity is probably a bit higher. And having so many games one after each other also takes a toll. That’s probably the biggest difference.”
Lots of good chat in there from Eli Just, who has done plenty of media in recent months between his World Cup efforts and the move to Swansea and is probably one of the more insightful talkers in the kiwi scene these days. One major note from that presser is that while he had a lot of success playing wide for Motherwell, that was in a free role with room to drift infield whereas Swansea City use their wingers as out-and-out wide guys hence he’s much happier playing through the middle as he’s been doing. Righto, makes sense. He also said that he doesn’t feel he’s shown his best for his new club yet. Can’t argue with that... although the last few weeks do seem to have been brought him closer. The addition of Stephen Eustáquio alongside Marko Stamenić in the midfield has probably had something to do with that, putting two tough and hard-working midfielders behind him in the trio, allowing more creative freedom for Just.
Regardless of how much more there is to come from him, you can’t deny that Swansea City have been a very good team with Elijah Just on the pitch. During the 422 minutes that he’s played in the Championship, Swansea have scored 2.13 goals per ninety minutes – that’s the highest mark in the squad for anyone who has played more than 150 mins (Stamenić is fourth at 1.88 G/90). In contrast they’ve only managed 0.91 goals per ninety while Just’s been on the bench. No goals yet and only one assist for his personal tally but Swansea City have been a way more effective attacking outfit with EJ out there.
And guess what? They’re top of the league at the international break. That’s after a 2-1 win against Lincoln City, really having to grind it out after a tough first half had them trailing 1-0. The goal they conceded was a very harsh penalty decision but it did reflect the state of the game with promoted Lincoln having had pretty much all the chances to that point – the only notable shot that Swansea City had taken before they fell behind was Elijah Just trying to chip the goalkeeper from halfway after picking up a turnover. He got it on target but the keeper was able to catch it as he backtracked.
Then they completely turned it around to begin the second spell, figuring out a few solutions to the squeeze in midfield and quickly capitalising with a pair of goals. They were level within two minutes of Elijah Just kicking things off again. He was involved in the move by trying to pick out Adam Idah in the box, with Melker Widell then collecting the rebound and setting up Moussa Yeo. Before much longer, Stephen Eustáquio had put them ahead with a deflected strike from twenty yards. Both goals came after long spells of recycled possession with Just and Stamenić getting plenty of touches alongside everyone else. More of that liquid football that we’re coming to expect from Vitor Matos’ outfit.
Just was subbed as part of a triple change on the hour and they didn’t score again (that was an expected change - he’s only once gone more than 70 mins in a Championship game so far). But Stamenić held it down for the full ninety, completing 68/74 passes and doing everything he needed to defensively. A compilation of crunching Stamenić tackles from this season would be a hoot. With West Ham only drawing against Millwall, that sends Swansea City top with 8/48 games complete. Way too soon to be talking about promotion hopes but it’s been a superb start to the season.
Up Next: After the internationals, it’ll be Swansea vs Norwich at 12.30am on 11 October (NZT)
Tyler Bindon - Charlton Athletic (English Championship)
There was good news and bad news from Tyler Bindon’s latest outing. The good news is that he assisted a goal for Tyreece Campbell with a clever through ball which Campbell did superbly to stay onside for. Bindon picked the ball up in space around halfway and had the awareness to look for that cutting pass. He’s got all the tools to become a really excellent distributor from defence as he gets a little more experienced so hopefully there’ll be more of this kinda thing as the season progresses...
But the bad news is that Charlton, on the whole, were rank awful away against Cardiff City and Bindon got hooked at half-time. They were already two down when he set up that Campbell goal and frankly they were lucky that it was only two. Bindon had come in and played full games in each of his first four matches so he’d had the trust of his new coach until then... not that he was being singled out or anything. Millenic Alli was also dragged at HT and coach Nathan Jones said afterwards that he’d have subbed nine of them off if he’d been allowed to. It ended 3-1 to Cardiff. That means Charlton are still yet to win a game with Bindon on board. While consecutive 0-0 draws against QPR and Portsmouth have shown a bit of defensive grittiness in recent home games, they’ve shipped seven in their past two away fixtures (0-4 vs Stoke, now 1-3 vs Cardiff).
The assist was sweet but there’s no denying it was a shaky half from Bindon. He got spun for the second goal and wasn’t able to make a lunging block for the first. Got caught in between committing or not committing a few other times. They switched to a back three after he was replaced – a shape that he has played in already with Charlton, not to mention spending all preseason training in a back three with Nottingham Forest. Oh well, scratch that one and move on. Charlton have had a few defensive injuries so Bindon could have a battle on his hands to retain his starting spot if others return during the international break. We’ll see how it goes.
That was still a better weekend than Max Crocombe had. There’s been one fantastic performance from him in goal for Millwall this season (the 4-0 win against Bolton)... and four very average ones. In those five games he’s made 13 saves and conceded 13 goals. In other words, half the shots on target that he’s faced have beaten him. Lukas Jensen is still out injured but the Lions picked up Filip Marschall late in the transfer window and this is what the coach had to say about his goalkeepers during the week...
Alex Neil: “I thought Filip [Marschall] played well last week against Newcastle. Max has been in goal. We’ve gone with Max and given him an opportunity to see where he is. Filip’s competing with Max for that slot. If I feel next week that Filip’s better placed to go in goal than Max, then that’s the decision. But it’s the same as every other decision that I’ve got all over the pitch.”
Well, the decision was made and it was Filip Marschall who was selected for the weekend’s game – a significant call to give a 23yo bloke his league debut for the club, his first ever Championship game in fact, for a derby game against West Ham United. Does not reflect well upon Crocombe’s situation that he, as the experienced option, got dropped in that situation. Could be that he’s third choice once Jensen returns. Millwall were 2-0 up against the Hammers but couldn’t hang on and had to settle for a 2-2 draw. First time those two arch-rivals have met for 14 years – the last West Ham vs Millwall game saw Winston Reid bang in the winner...
There’s also been a development with Matt Garbett down in League One. Garbs is back in England and close to a return to training, which they’re anticipating will happen before the end of this international window (aka in the next two weeks or so). Still waiting on that return... instead the development is that his coach has been sacked. Luke Williams helped turned things around at Peterborough last season after inheriting a team that was dead last in October... now one year later he’s on the other side of that equation having been jettisoned following a 2-0 loss to Doncaster Rovers that’s left them with only one win from seven games. Posh are the lowest scoring team in League One and that simply wasn’t cutting the mustard after some substantial spending during the summer (relative to the club’s size and stature). No word on a replacement just yet with former assistant coach Ryan Harley currently serving as interim.
If you’re wondering about Ben Waine down in League Two with Port Vale, he’s started four of their seven matches alternating between wing and striker but has yet to get off the mark. The Vale have only taken five points from those seven games as a relegated team. It’s all rather murky there... however Matt Dibley-Dias is having a good old time reuniting on loan with his former Fulham U21s coach Hayden Mullins at Newport County. Dibs made two bench appearances after joining but has played 83 mins, 89 mins, and 90 mins across the last three league fixtures. Also got half an hour off the bench this morning in an EFL Trophy win against Swindon Town.
MDD (305 mins) has actually played more than Waine (268 mins) in League Two so far... ad that’s despite missing the first two games prior to his loan move being finalised. His full ninety in the 0-0 draw against Accrington on the weekend was only the second time he’s gone the distance in senior football, the previous being during his late-season loan move to Braintree Town earlier in the year. Made it count too...
Dibs has already played more league minutes for Newport County than he did in his previous two EFL loans combined (Cheltenham and Northampton). But remember he did get on a roll with Braintree Town (alongside Tommy Smith) in March-April, where he started six of their last seven matches that season without any injury issues and he was fit throughout preseason with Fulham too. He’s in a good place right now. Too soon to be thinking about an All Whites recall but he keeps stringing games together with man of the match performances there then he’s going to be back in the mix soon enough.
Up Next: Charlton vs Bristol City at 12.30am on 11 October (NZT)
Suya Haering - Montpellier (French Première Ligue)
There it is: a Première Ligue debut for Suya Haering. Not only a debut but a full game at left wing-back for Montpellier as they drew 0-0 against Marseille. Haering played a bit during the League Cup games before the league began but was absent from the first couple of proper games and while the 21yo has previously spent a couple seasons in the German top division... those were both with wooden spoon teams (Haering experienced two wins from 32 Bundesliga appearances). Not the kind of pedigree that guarantees you’ll walk into immediate minutes at your next club. But it now turns out she was merely injured for those first two league games (she played with her right knee strapped up vs OM, odds on that was the culprit).
It’s all looking brighter now after a solid display in a clean sheet draw against a Marseille team that had won both their opening two fixtures. Montpellier were on the back foot for most of the evening, their goalkeeper having to make a few smart saves, and Haering certainly did more than make up the numbers. The closest that Montpellier came to scoring was when Haering picked up the ball around halfway and then showed some proper pace dribbling into space and drawing a defender, contemplating a shot before slipping a pass to an overlapping teammate outside. Low cross and a shot into the side-netting from there. And the closest Marseille came to scoring was a through ball that beat one of the Montpellier CBs as she slid for a block leaving only the keeper to beat... until Haering made a stunning blindside sliding tackle.
Haering thus becomes the third kiwi to play in the top women’s division in France following after Kate Taylor and Erin Nayler. Didn’t make the cut for the upcoming Football Ferns tour to Panama but if she keeps on getting minutes and playing like this as one of the very few New Zealanders in top-10 globally ranked leagues right now then she’s going to get a chance to add to her two caps before much longer. The ACL injury to Mickey Foster has left the door wide open left-sided defenders.
The only NZer in an inarguably stronger club situation than Haering right now is Kate Taylor with Madrid CFF. She didn’t play this week... and without her Madrid lost 5-1 away to Espanyol. They’d won three in a row prior to that and the only two goals they’d conceded were late consolations – can’t even blame the fixtures either because Espanyol were winless prior to this match. So it’s a goal conceded every 135 minutes with Taylor on the field; and a goal conceded every 18 minutes with Taylor off the field.
Up Next: Nantes vs Montpellier on 4 October at 6am (NZT)
Dalton Wilkins – Sønderjyske (Danish Superliga)
Lovely pass, that. The striker Osaze De Rosario still had plenty of work to do to turn that into a goal but great stuff from Wilkins to spark the move and to log himself an assist. This was his second consecutive start (after going more than two years between Superliga starts before that). He wasn’t able to hold his position on the right-wing after Ismaïl Seydi came off the bench and scored in that game so they simply chucked him at left-wing instead. Did well enough as a makeshift attacker last week to earn another crack... and then delivered an assist.
Sønderjyske were awesome in this game. They won 4-2 against Randers, giving up an equaliser ten minutes after the one that Wilkins set up but scoring just before and just after half-time to retake control. Randers closed the gap again, so Seydi added another and that was that. First Superliga win for Sonders this season, coming at the ninth attempt. Doesn’t get them off bottom thanks to the point that Callum McCowatt’s goal helped earn for AGF however there seems to be a feeling around this team and its supporters that they’ve turned a corner. More compact defensively, fewer individual errors, and a much more effective attack. Still room for continued improvement on all counts but this was a great boost ahead of the international break.
Something to be aware of is that the bloke who started in Wilkins’ best position of left-back, Ebube Duru, had to be carried off the field with an injury late in the first half so there could be room for DW to slide into that spot. Then again, they also might want to stick with a good thing having picked up four points from Wilkins’ two starts and only one point from the other seven matches. Wilkins played 60 minutes against Randers and collected a yellow card. Now he’s off to try earn his first All Whites cap for nearly three years.
Up Next: AGF vs Sønderjyske, McCowatt vs Wilkins, on 13 October at 6am (NZT)
Jacqui Hand - FC Basel (Swiss Super League)
Check out these highlights if you wanna see a crazy end to a football game. FC Basel thought they’d won it a minute into stoppage time against Rapperswil-Jona when Lola Brügger smashed in a dipping, swerving strike from about 30 metres out, hitting it first time with her left foot and then getting mobbed in celebration as it dipped into the top corner. A goal worthy of winning any game... except that Basel then allowed a runner through the middle of their defence and conceded a penalty, converted on 90+4’ to make it a 2-2 draw instead. Both teams had scored in the first half. Jacqui Hand played the full game, as she’s done four weeks in a row now. But Basel have been sketchy lately, drawing their past three games.
Couple other Football Ferns antics to breeze through here... FC Nordsjælland are on a six-game winning streak after beating AGF 2-0 away this morning. Malia Steinmetz has played every minute of those six wins. Mostly as a central defender but nevertheless. FCN are the form team in Denmark and despite a slow start, they’re now back within two points of leaders HB Køge. Over in Sweden, Gabi Rennie continues to get big minutes out wide for Eskilstuna United (sometimes as a winger, sometimes as a wing-back) though they were beaten 3-0 by league leaders BK Häcken this week. Bit of a slump from Eskilstuna to have only won one of their last five... but can’t blame them for getting done by the defending champs.
Emma Pijnenburg scored again for Hera United as they won 3-0 vs Excelsior in the Dutch second tier. That’s three goals in four games for the club captain, with her team having won three and lost one. That puts them second behind Jong Ajax after four rounds. Curious to see Pijnenburg getting left out of the latest Ferns squad albeit they never explain the circumstances with those things. And it’s still a frustrating situation for Maya Hahn at Viktoria Berlin where she’s only played 60 minutes across four substitute appearances during the first six weeks of that season in the German second tier. 15 points from those six games so the team is cooking. Pity that’s had to come at the expense of Hahn’s starting role.
Meanwhile over in Greece, the Women’s A Division got started this past week with Jana Radosavljević getting a full game (and a yellow card) for Pyrgos in a 4-0 loss away to Panathanaikos, while Isabella Atkinson was also in the starting line-up for Seirines Grevenon with 45 minutes in a 3-0 win against Odysseas Moschatou (the goals were all scored after she was subbed). Both of those were club debuts while for Atkinson it marks a professional debut having joined them from Devonport Strikers in Australia.
Up Next: FC Basel away to Lugano in the Swiss Cup at 3.30am on Monday (NZT)
Chris Wood – Nottingham Forest (English Premier League)
This week’s screenshot of Chris Wood’s late game substitution came earlier than usual with Woodsy sent on after 72 minutes to chase an equaliser against Coventry. They were trailing 1-0 at home after a Jay Dasilva goal (55’) so rather than replace Liam Delap, Woodsy went on alongside him with a defender sacrificed instead. Almost set up an equaliser with a lay-off into the path of Igor Jesus but the VAR took that one away from Forest after replays showed that Igor had stepped on the defender’s heel to win the ball back after his first touch. NFFC fans have an angry relationship with the video refs but this one decision was fair enough. Therefore Coventry won 1-0 at the City Ground. Highlights here.
Having Wood, Delap, Jesus, and Morgan Gibbs-White all on the pitch at the same time was an interesting look from coach Oliver Glasner – and a promising one for the Woodsman. It meant Wood playing off the last defender with Delap underneath and the other two occupying roaming wide roles. Jesus also had a shot cleared off the line after MGW had slid him in. Would have liked to see more than the 62 minutes of Chris Wood we’ve gotten through the opening five Premier League matches but it’s clear that Glasner, while respecting what Wood brings, prefers a more mobile striker who’ll also make runs in behind.
Oliver Glasner on his strikers: "We defined a profile that we don't have in the squad and what we'll need. We know what they're capable of, we know Chris Wood will score goals, but he's a different profile. Igor Jesus scored last week and was the top goalscorer in the Europa League, but he drops into the pocket behind the forward. Liam showed the power he has and stretched the Villa defence."
This was a bad defeat for Forest against a promoted side that’d lost four in a row beforehand, adding to what’s been a tricky start to the season in general. That’s probably to be expected though – all of Glasner’s jobs tend to start poorly as he embeds his ideas before the results turn around down the line. Might even work out in Woodsy’s favour that he’s playing less during the spell where people might be quick to pass blame around.
Up Next: Crystal Palace vs NFFC at 2am on 12 October (NZT)
Katie Kitching - Sunderland (English Super League 2)
Sunderland nil, Southampton nil. Nothing between them as both sides remain undefeated after three rounds. Frustrating afternoon for Katie Kitching whose three shots were all from outside the area and none were particularly threatening... although a bobble from the keeper did nearly allow Elise Hughes to sneak in for the rebound from one of them. Kitch just couldn’t get it going against a very good defensive team – limited for touches in her 74 minutes whilst committing four fouls in trying to get more involved. But a draw’s alright, keeps them in second with seven points.
There is a kiwi at Southampton but Alina Santos is yet to be sighted in a matchday squad. The coach has confirmed that it’s a concussion that’s caused Santos to miss the first few three matches of the season, suffered late in preseason. Dunno if she’d be starting ahead of Grace Moloney anyway but she’d certainly have been on the bench ahead of academy player Jessica Philps. There are League Cup games on the way soon which will probably provide Santos with her pro debut – sounds like she’s on track to return very soon.
In other news, Grace Neville made her debut with Watford however it wasn’t one worth remembering. Full game in the right edge of a back three – slightly different role for her, usually a fullback or wing-back. But yeah they got thrashed 5-1 by Bristol City and finished with nine women after a pair of last-defender professional fouls, one for Lucy Lyon after 71 mins and one for Eva Gray after 81 mins. Watford were only 2-1 down when the first red was shown.
Up Next: Watford vs Sunderland on Monday at 2am (NZT)
Stipe Ukich - NK Istra 1961 (Croatian Nogometna Liga)
That there was Stipe Ukich getting booked in his latest Nogometna Liga appearance – fresh from his call-up to the All Whites. This one was a little different to the others... not because only was it his longest appearance to date, subbed on after 62 minutes, but also because it was the first time he’d been introduced in a league game without his team already holding a healthy lead. His league debut was as a stoppage time introduction with his team cruising towards a 3-0 win against Slaven Belupo. They were also 3-0 up when he was brought on against NK Rudes... albeit they conceded twice to only win 3-2 in the end. He did start and score in a cup game in between that but this time they sent him on at 0-0 against HNK Gorica whilst searching for a goal.
They didn’t find one... in fact they lost 1-0 to the bottom team, leaving themselves a bit too shaky at the back (NK Istra are mid-table so it’s not a major shock but they would have expected to win at home there). That wasn’t great. However, Ukich was at the heart of almost every decent chance they created while he was out there. Came close to scoring when he ran the channel onto a through ball, though had it knocked away as he tried to cut inside to shoot. Later he forced a decent save with a shot from distance, letting fly as the defence stood off him. Ukich was buzzing around and making things happen while playing predominantly as a left-sided forward. Didn’t shrink with the responsibility. Didn’t hesitate to take a risk. Hugely encouraging signs from a teenager at the very start of his pro career.
Up Next: How’s an All Whites debut sound?
Finn Surman - Portland Timbers (American Major League Soccer)
Martí Cifuentes: “Yeah, again I think that we need to to be thankful to the New Zealand coach and all of them because we agreed, and obviously Finn again showing his commitment, he wanted to be part of the San Jose game. They have been supporting that decision which we really appreciate. He will join [the All Whites] after the game and he will play the two games in in Japan.”
This had already been announced by NZ Football but nice to see the gratitude from Portland’s coach towards Darren Bazeley for allowing Finn Surman to stick around and play for the Timbers against San Jose this weekend before linking up with the national team for the second week of the window (and the more challenging games against Panama and either Japan/Ecuador). This way Surman doesn’t miss a game for his club. And they bloody need him because they lost 1-0 to Atlanta United on the weekend to continue a tough run of only one win from the last six. Not the calibre of form that’ll get you into the playoffs. The same situation is true of James Pantemis who was called up for Canada (chasing his debut cap) but will also play that San Jose game after club and country came to a similar agreement.
Across the country, Michael Boxall served a yellow card suspension for Minnesota United as they blew a 2-1 lead with fifteen minutes remaining to lose 3-2 against LA Galaxy at home. It’s really not looking good for Cam Knowles as coach, though at least there’s an understanding amongst the fanbase that the recruitment is the main problem and Coach Knowles can only work with what he’s got. The alternate universe in which they completed that Callum McCowatt transfer would have been educational.
Up Next: San Jose vs Portland at 3.30pm on Sunday (NZT)
Ben Old - AS Saint-Étienne (French Ligue 2)
ASSE blew a two goal lead in the last dozen minutes to draw 2-2 away against FC Metz. That wasn’t ideal... however Ben Old made his first start of the season and did a full ninety. It was his 50th appearance for the Les Verts across all competitions and that should have him primed to start a few games at left-back for the All Whites this window. ASSE remain top of Ligue 2 by a two-point margin ahead of Red Star. No messing about with playoffs this time – they’re going for the jugular of automatic promotion.
Up Next: After the break it’s ASSE vs Rodez at 7am on 11 October (NZT)
Sarpreet Singh - SC Farense (Portuguese Liga 2)
Sarpreet Singh was unavailable for the All Whites tour reportedly due to a slight injury... yet that didn’t stop him backing up with ninety minutes in a 1-0 cup win against Sacavenense. A more likely reason for him not making that trip is that Farense have a game coming up on 4 October against Chaves that he’d otherwise have to miss, right as he’s gotten himself nestled in the starting eleven for his new club having now played consecutive full games. Farense need a win having failed to build upon the two they began the season with, going draw, loss, draw since then. And Singh needs to finally get settled at a club where he can play regularly and stick around for more than one season. That’s all fair enough. Bigger picture in mind.
Up Next: Farense vs Chaves at 11pm on 4 October (NZT)
Joe Bell – Viking FK (Norwegian Eliteserien)
Also skipping that NZ tour is Joe Bell who get a blessed rest before ripping back into an Eliteserien title race and a Champions League quest after the window. Viking FK surged back towards their peak footy with an 8-1 win against Kristiansund last week and maintained those levels by beating Lillestrøm 3-0... with Gianni Stensness credited with the second of those goals (that might yet change – it was a strange case of pinball in the penalty area and even Stensness seem to didn’t know if he’d gotten the decisive touch).
Even better news is that Bodø/Glimt were beaten 2-1 on the road against Brann, hence Viking have gone back to the top of the standings via goals scored. 21 games played each, both on 50 points, both with +34 goal difference... but Viking have scored one goal more than their rivals and right now that’s all that separates them. There are nine games left to determine this thing and the two clubs are each also embarking on UCL League Phase activities concurrently. They face each other on 2 November in the only remaining head to head.
75 minutes with a yellow card for Bellinho who was all class in the midfield, striking the crossbar with a half-volley from one of those situations where he lurks outside the penalty area for second phase stuff at corner kick time. However yet again he didn’t finish a match. Sometimes it’s been game management and sometimes it’s been rotation and sometime it’s been protecting him after a booking but Bell has only played ninety minutes in three games since the World Cup (two of which were the UCL qualifying playoffs against Dinamo Zagreb). He was within 200 minutes of being everpresent in the Eliteserien last year but they’re being much more careful with him these days (what with a calf injury earlier in the year and the World Cup following that), which tells a story as to why letting him have this international break to freshen up is probably a wise idea.
Up Next: There is a Norwegian Cup second rounder against Madla at 5am on Friday 2 October though Bell and most of the other first eleven guys will probably be rested for that (NZT)
Luis Toomey - Vancouver FC (Canadian Premier League)
Not sure why Luis Toomey doesn’t play more often for Vancouver. Seemed he probably had an injury early in the season, missing out on three of the initial six matchday squads, but since then he’d been in 16 straight squads without adding to the two starts he made way back in April (he also started both games against Cruz Azul in the Concacaf Champions Cup in February). Couple unused sub days and a whole bunch of bench cameos. He just hasn’t been given a whole lot of room to show what he does best.
But against Pacific FC on the weekend he was finally back in the eleven and what do ya know he scored in a 1-1 draw. This after an assist off the bench in the 3-1 loss vs Inter Toronto a week prior. Two goals and an assist in 470 total minutes as an attacking midfielder is decent, all things considered. Vancouver are fourth out of eight teams and on course to hang on for the playoffs with five more regular season games to go.
Up Next: Vancouver vs Inter Toronto at 2pm on Thursday (NZT)
Moses Dyer - Phnom Penh Crown (Cambodian Premier League)
That’s what he’s been doing. Four goals in three games to begin the season in Cambodia – these latest two coming in the Asian Champions League 2 against Kuching City of Malaysia. Including a stoppage time winner, yes.
This is the second tier AFC competition. Last season Phnom Penh Crown played in the third tier Challenge League where Moses Dyer scored seven goals in five matches to be leading scorer after the quarter-final stage... alas PPC were knocked out by domestic rivals Svay Rieng whose Kwame Peprah ended up pipping Dyer to the Golden Boot with eight goals (from eight games). One thing’s for sure, Moses Dyer loves these Asian confederation competitions.
But don’t overlook this fella either...
Bevan was slow to get rolling with Boeung Ket, only scoring once in his first 14 games after joining at the conclusion of the NZ National League season. However he finished the campaign by scoring in three straight victories (three goals and an assist – including one of each in a 2-0 win over Dyer’s PPC) and he’s carried that on by scoring in his second match of this new season.
Up Next: National team recall after eight long years for Moses Dyer... it’s been awhile
Jack Perniskie – Milton Keynes Dons (English League One)
Late game scenario on course for victory in an off-brand cup competition. Perfect opportunity to blood a few youngsters and one of those youngsters was none other than Jack Perniskie. Signed from out of the Wellington Phoenix Academy a few months ago. Got some good minutes during preseason and scored for the academy team at MK Dons recently. Senior debut in the EFL Trophy. He was already one to watch before all this but these are very promising developments for another teenaged kiwi forward.
Up Next: Perniskie hasn’t been in a League One squad yet, so the next EFL Trophy game is the one to watch for and that’s against Brentford U21s at 7am on Weds 7 October (NZT)
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