The most refreshing thing about Mark Rudan so far has been his words. At a pivotal time in the Wellington Phoenix’s existence he showed up with steady confidence and an air of defiance.
Just when everything seemed to be running smoothly, they go and move the goalposts again. But we Premier League fans in Aotearoa are pretty used to that by now.
It’s been a year since Stefan Marinovic made his debut for the Whitecaps. Few would’ve guessed how quickly his rise would come a few months earlier… but then few who were familiar with him would have ruled it out either.
Look, we’re good enough to compete at this level. No doubt about that, just look at the result against France. With that comes increased expectations and while it would’ve been enough to create a few cheeky chances and battle hard in the past, this squad was good enough to be taking those chances.
It was close to a year ago that Ryan Thomas put pen to paper on a new contract with PEC Zwolle. He’d been pondering leaving after a solid season but the club was desperate to keep him.
Mate, all that was missing there was a goal. The kiwi U20 women were definitely outmatched by France but they were by no means intimidated, bringing a structural masterclass to the table to hold the hosts to a 0-0 draw.
Up against a lower league opposition in the FFA Cup, the esteemed Bentleigh Greens, they somehow conspired to lose 1-0 despite playing against ten men for two thirds of the game.
Now, I’m quite fond of a good awards ceremony. So yeah, I don’t wanna dwell on how silly it is to lump domestic players up against internationals like that’s an equal platform or whatever. Instead I’m just gonna do it better.
It was tied 1-1 after the first leg up in Scotland but jeez it didn’t take long before Christopher Grant Wood went boom and the Clarets were up early in this one.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
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.
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…
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.
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.