Flying Kiwis Transfer Window Numero Uno went into young Hank’s release from Blackpool, concluding with a little tease as to his probable next home. As expected that’s since been made official and you can paint it green because the lad’s off to Ireland.
Most Premier League seasons there’s that one mid-table team that really clicks and pushes the Champions League usuals the whole way. In recent times it’s been Southampton, it’s been West Ham... but usually it’s Everton.
Was his career spike an inevitable thing or was it coaxed out of him by the tutelage of Garry Monk and forwards coach James Beattie? And can he repeat it now that both those men have left the club?
With the Confederations Cup been and gone, most All Whites are plotting their way back into the new club season now. Therefore dig right on into this, the first sweeping update on the transfer dealings of kiwi footy players during this European offseason.
It was a funny old tour. Beginning with some lofty expectations of hitting up Russia with an eye to snatching a result or two, by the time we got to the Confeds the trash we’d seen in the two friendlies pretty much ruined any hope of that.
And with that the Confederations Cup tour is over. It concluded with the All Whites’ toughest test and also their biggest defeat. Probably not a coincidence, that. It was Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo
It is not entirely clear what happened in between the All Whites’ game against Mexico and the rest of their Confederations Cup tour... but wasn't it great to watch?
That was probably about what we should’ve expected. A couple goals, a comfortable loss but with a couple half-chances that might have changed something.
He’s a large lad, old Chris Wood. Still only 25 years old but 191cm tall and built like a Minotaur in ballet shoes, a striker who can bulrush a defender and yet is somehow still capable of some sublime bits of finishing.
Man… that kinda sucked. Sloppy at the back, overrun in the middle and couldn’t hardly get a thing going in attack. Too many long balls, not enough controlled possession. Some dumb mistakes and some terrible touches.
The All Whites have confirmed their squad for the Confederations Cup and… it’s exactly the same as the squad they already have, preparing for the Confederations Cup. Sweet as, that means nobody tweaked an ankle or said anything mean about Huddo’s mum.
Pick a random rumour. Ignore the clickbait headlines and find the actual, tangible information/claims within. Take that info and ask yourself: Where did this come from? Who does it benefit?
Folks, we have our new gaffer. And… it’s the one we thought it would be. Bosnian/Dutch football genius (that last part is mostly hopeful subjection) Darije Kalezic will helm the Wellington Phoenix from now until eternity... unless the FFA kick us out.
It goes to show once again that there’s so much more in sports that we never hear or see. Kosta Barbarouses returned to the Wellington Phoenix as a marquee player but he’s left after only one season. A mutual decision after Kosta requested an early release.
They all said they were treating this game like the first game of the Confederations Cup but it’s a good thing it wasn’t because we flippin’ lost.
It’s probably safe to say that the match against Portugal will be the All Whites’ last at the Confederations Cup but don't just assume they'll come out and thrash us.
The Confederations Cup marks a rare opportunity to play against the world’s best as a reward for having beaten Papua New Guinea on penalties. Part of that deal means we have to play Mexico... again.
It’s an Under-20 World Cup, right? Things need to be kept in context and the Young All Whites had already exceeded expectations – or at least met them – in making their way into the knockouts.
The Confederations Cup is pretty much a dress rehearsal for the next World Cup host. That would be Russia and the All Whites were lucky enough to draw the Russians in their group – although the Russians were also lucky enough to draw the New Zealanders.
Coming into this tournament, the aim would’ve been for the Junior All Whites to find their way out of their group. No dramas how it happened but after doing so on home soil in 2015, it was time to get there on foreign soil in 2017.