Reactions From The A-League’s Sixth NZ Derby
The results may not have been very balanced but tell ya what there’s never been a boring NZ Derby. All six of these games have been bursting with fascination and intrigue and filled with crazy moments.
Exploring The Wellington Phoenix’s ALW Rise Under Bev Priestman
After four seasons without ever making the A-League finals, an unlikely set of circumstances contrived to present the Wellington Phoenix Women with an Olympic Games gold medallist as their new head coach.
The Wellington Phoenix & Auckland FC Pre-Derby Notebook
We’re three games into the new A-League Men’s season and both New Zealand teams remain undefeated. Auckland FC are a little higher up on the ladder, in as much as the standings are even worth bothering with this early on…
Reactions From Auckland FC’s Semi-Final Exit vs Melbourne Victory
Auckland FC didn’t carry any baggage or trauma into their second leg semi-final against Melbourne Victory. They were home at Mt Smart Stadium with more than 29,000 fans packed in – their biggest crowd of the season.
The Wellington Phoenix 2024-25 A-League Women’s Season In Review
This was supposed to be the year that the Wellington Phoenix Women made the finals. Actually, last year was supposed to be the year until they missed out by five points. So this year was definitely supposed to be the year. Except they didn’t even get close.
Shifting The Focus To Next Season For The Wellington Phoenix Blokes
Clearly, this season was one challenge too much for the Wellington Phoenix. In hindsight, there’s no reason to think a team that lost half of its starting line-up, and then struggled with injuries on top of that, should have any hope whatsoever of reclaiming a semi-finals berth
Observations From The Third Auckland FC vs Wellington Phoenix Derby
For the third time out of three, Auckland FC emerged from the NZ Derby with three points... but this win was not like the others. This win was a dismantling
Exploring How Auckland FC’s Kiwi Players Are Fuelling Their Success
Auckland FC took a risk with how they put this squad together by banking on the quality of players in Aotearoa’s domestic stuff. They only used three local spots on Australians and one of them is currently injured while another has barely even played
Is This The Season That The Wellington Phoenix Finally Make The A-League Women’s Finals?
Every year the aim has been finals footy for the Wellington Phoenix women. For the first couple years, that turned out to be an unrealistic target and they ended up with a couple of wooden spoons instead. But in year three the dream wasn’t so far-fetched
Five Things From The Wellington Phoenix's Return To Winning Ways vs Newcastle Jets
The last few weeks have been rough for the Wellington Phoenix blokes, beginning with the derby defeat away to Auckland FC. You don’t often need to pay attention to what the Aussie commentators say about the kiwi clubs but…
Observations From The Second Auckland FC vs Wellington Phoenix Derby
There was scrap, there was niggle, and there were flashes of high-quality A-League football for all to see. Nothing silly, just good competitive fun. The appetite was there and the meal has been served accordingly.
A Few Thoughts From Auckland FC’s A-League Debut
What we witnessed on Saturday afternoon at Mt Smart Stadium was a capital-e Event... but it was also just another game of football. Auckland FC versus Brisbane Roar. Three points on offer.
Checking In With Auckland FC’s Inaugural Preseason Activities
It’s starting to become real. Auckland FC are signing players, they’re initiating league-wide rule changes, and they’ve even popped over to Australia for a few preseason games
Catching Up On How The Wellington Phoenix Offseason’s Been Going
It has been two months since the Wellington Phoenix men’s team ended their season with a semi-final exit against Melbourne Victory. It has been three-and-a-half months since the Wellington Phoenix women’s team wrapped up their campaign with a 2-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers
Auckland FC Signing Tracker & Squad Profiles
It didn’t feel real until they started announcing players. In late May, a quartet of kiwi footballers were unveiled wearing Auckland FC gear and waving scarves around for the cameras. Since then there’s been a steady flow of further announcements
Notes From The Wellington Phoenix’s Semi-Final Defeat vs Melbourne Victory
There were mere seconds remaining when Sam Sutton lumped a hopeful ball forward. The allotted added-time had already been expended and it was up to the referee’s discretion how much longer this game would last.
Notes From The Wellington Phoenix’s Semi-Final First Leg vs Melbourne Victory
Most people who’ve been following the Wellington Phoenix throughout this season, especially those who’ve watched the three previous meetings with Melbourne Victory this season, would have probably have predicted this nil-all draw ahead of time
Previewing The Wellington Phoenix’s A-League Semi-Final vs Melbourne Victory
It will be the Wellington Phoenix against the Melbourne Victory for a place in the 2024 A-League Men’s Grand Final. Sunday night at 6pm NZT is the first leg over in Melbourne.
Reflecting On The Wellington Phoenix Women’s First Crop Of Import Players
It’s not so easy to compete on an uneven playing field. The Welly Nix Wahine’s lack of imports during their first two seasons (seasons in which they finished dead last both times) was a self-imposed issue, but it did leave them with a pretty significant limitation.
Notes From The Wellington Phoenix’s 1-1 Draw With Newcastle Jets
For the third consecutive game, the Wellington Phoenix were involved in some frantic stoppage time antics. Against Central Coast they conceded a 90+1st minute winner. Against Melbourne Victory they scored a 90+5th minute winner. Then against Newcastle Jets…