The Wildcard’s 2018-19 Premier League Preview
Going team by team through the lot of them ahead of the new campaign. Main men, key signings, what to watch for… all the stuff you need to know, basically.
Aotearoa at the U20 WWC: Game One vs Netherlands
First up was the Netherlands and if you were committed enough to get up in the middle of the night (putting those World Cup reps to further use) then you were treated to a team from Aotearoa that brought structure and sensibility to their game but also a positive mindset.
Another Welly Nix Thing As The Squad Begins To Come Together
The Wellington Phoenix are currently hanging out in Queensland, doing preseason stuff. They’ve got a 22-man travelling squad with six of those players being trialists and all five of the new signings are there along with one lucky academy inclusion.
Flying Kiwis – July 31
Some great news on the transfer front this week, so much to keep up with. Let’s start with Katie Rood who, after a year as a foundation player with the Juventus women’s team, has decided to seek more regular playing time elsewhere with the World Cup coming up next year.
Buckle Up Because It’s The U20s Time To Shine Now
Instead turn your focus for a second towards the Under-20 teams of New Zealand, with the ladies about to go to the World Cup and the blokes about to try and qualify for one.
Welly Nix Signing Season Strolls On With Mitch Nichols and David Williams
What’s to feel about the Nix signing Mitch Nichols and David Williams? You’re forgiven if this latest unveiling doesn’t fill you with absolute glee…
Flying Kiwis – July 24
Oh yes always rate a Flying Kiwis goal. Especially one with a little panache like this sucker, Colly giving it the dropskees down the sideline before cutting in and saying ‘mine, please’ by nutmegging the keeper.
It’s Polish Imports and Local Trialists Right Now For The Welly Nix
And another one. The Wellington Phoenix have doubled their tally of imports (excluding the established and hopefully imminently domesticated Roy Krishna) with the signing of Polish goalkeeper Filip Kurto.
The Wildcard’s Team of the 2018 FIFA World Cup
Spare a drop of envy for Raphael Varane, who has already won four Champions Leagues and a World Cup and he’s only 25 years old. Some blokes have all the luck, aye…
Flying Kiwis – July 17
Oh look, two more games, two more clean sheets and two more wins for Abby and the Courage. First off they pushed past Washington Spirit with a goal in each half, Debora first and then Jess McDonald, for a 2-0 win.
France Are World Cup Champions, Vive La France
This team just looks like a World Cup winning team. It’s got star power and veteran leadership. Incredible young players that’ll help usher in the next era of international footy and a manager who had something big to prove.
England’s World Cup Dreams: In Memoriam
Gareth Southgate’s English team stand out against those sides because of how refreshingly likeable they are. Who saw that coming, an endearing English team!?
Cristiano Ronaldo Is Taking His Talents to Juventus (For Real, Not Joking)
Yeah okay then Ronnie, go ahead and try overshadowing the World Cup semi-final that you didn’t qualify for then. It didn’t work, mate. France vs Belgium was the be all and end all of football on this day. There’s no overshadowing the flippin’ World Cup, not even in Italy. Nice try but forget about it.
Steven Taylor’s In Town and the Welly Nix Are Making Moves
It all started with a like on Instagram. Not really, because by that time all the behind the scenes stuff had already been taken care of, but that was the first clue for the waiting public.
Flying Kiwis – July 11
For the final time, Ali Riley strolled out in her FC Rosengård jerey. At home to Växjö in the last game before the Swedish league takes a break for a month, during which Ali officially joins Chelsea and will jump from midseason back to preseason over in England.
France, Belgium, England or Croatia – One Of These Nations Is Going To Win The World Cup
If the final four feels underwhelming then just go with it for the next week and see how you feel afterwards. Very few teams have ever won the World Cup by dominating from start to finish. Often teams start slow and build up while some just grind the whole way.
Next Step for the Welly Nix: Sign Some New Players, Please
The Wellington Phoenix have a game in a few weeks. FFA Cup against Bentleigh Greens, a club from the Victorian Premier League, on August 7. Seems pretty early to be getting into the proper football and realistically it is.
The Glorious Art of the Penalty Shootout
Some people hate penalty shootouts. They think they’re too fickle or unfair. They think that penalty kicks don’t represent justice in a result after 120 minutes of stalemated football. Those people are wrong.
The Return of the Old Fashioned Centre Forward
It wasn’t so long ago that the good old fashioned centre forward was all out of fashion. Spain was winning the World Cup and a couple Euros without one, Barcelona was winning everything at club level without one. But never fear because the 2018 World Cup has shown that the centre forward is making a comeback.
Flying Kiwis – July 3
Just sneaking in under the deadline last week (an extended deadline thanks to these obscene World Cup kickoff times) was the breaking news that Ali Riley had agreed a transfer to Chelsea Football Club.