2024 Women’s National League – Week 1
A brand new season of glorious National League football in Aotearoa got underway with a couple of concurrent kickoffs in the Women’s competition. More on Central vs West Coast Rangers soon but first...
Flying Kiwis – September 24
The new Women’s Super League season is underway in England but nothing has changed as far as CJ Bott is concerned. If she sees the ball, she’s still going to win the ball
2024 Women’s National League Season Preview
Both of the NZ National Leagues are doing a stellar job of producing professional and international players. A-League clubs are scooping up prospects - not just the New Zealand teams either - and national age grade selectors are all over everything
2024 Men’s National League Season Preview
Brighten up folks because a new National League season stands proudly out ahead of us. The cream of the winter season crop has qualified to take on the rest of the motu. Only six of last year’s MNL qualifiers are back again for the 2024 edition, with two of the newcomers having made it this far for the first time ever
Flying Kiwis – September 17
All goals are good goals but some goals just hit on a whole different level, leaving you to wonder how exactly the net managed to stay hooked on when faced with the force of a ballistic missile
The All Whites in North America: Setting the Benchmark
Following a disappointing performance in a 3-0 loss to Mexico, there were many valid questions bouncing around about the All Whites. Then came a 1-1 draw against the United States and suddenly the forecast is sunny again.
Reviewing Aotearoa's Efforts at the 2024 U20 Women’s World Cup
New Zealand teams don’t go to these youth World Cups to make up the numbers. Ever-expanding professional opportunities in Aotearoa and beyond mean more top level players are having their talent nurtured from a younger age
Flying Kiwis – September 10
The Women’s Champions League is a beacon on the horizon every season and at a minimum the qualifying stages usually serve up a few kiwi interests. Vic Esson and Rangers were one of those interests this year... but the draw was not kind to them
Wellington Olympic Are The 2024 Chatham Cup Champions
An undeniable rivalry has emerged between Wellington Olympic and Auckland City these past few years and the funkiest thing about it is that they only ever play for high stakes
Auckland United Are The 2024 Kate Sheppard Cup Champions
There was no question who the favourite was in this year’s Kate Sheppard Cup final. Auckland United bossed their way to the NRFL Premiership title going undefeated through the entire campaign and that sort of form wins trophies
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
Flying Kiwis – September 3
So that’s where Sarpreet’s got to. After escaping a very lame situation in Germany with Hansa Rostock thanks to a conveniently-placed relegation release clause, he’s ended up in the second division of Portuguese football with one of Jose Mourinho’s old clubs
The All Whites in North America: Squad Yarns & Preview
There’s a busy schedule coming up for the All Whites over the next couple months, with these September friendly games against Mexico (in California) and USA (in Cincinnati) followed by World Cup qualifiers in both October and November
Flying Kiwis – August 27
Elijah Just has gotten his transfer and it’s not a move that anyone saw coming. Back in March he was heavily linked to Swedish top division side IFK Goteborg, who were then being managed by the coach who signed him for AC Horsens in the first place...
Previewing Aotearoa at the 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup
There are seven players in Leon Birnie’s 21-woman squad who are listed with overseas pro clubs (only one of those is an A-League team) and that doesn’t include the seven others who have already made A-League appearances for the Wellington Phoenix
Flying Kiwis – August 20
Not so long ago, Ben Old was battling through recurring injuries for the Wellington Phoenix just trying to stay fit for long enough to show what he’s capable of. Now he’s New Zealand’s second-ever French Ligue 1 player
Flying Kiwis – August 13
The last few months have put Liberato Cacace in a state of uncertainty. A new Empoli manager has been appointed yet Cacace missed much of preseason due to the Oceania Nations Cup, meanwhile his contract has entered its final year with plenty of rumoured clubs circling around him with curiosity
The Wellington Phoenix Deployed The Youngsters And Got Knocked Out Of The Aussie Cup
Yeah okay never mind then. The Wellington Phoenix are out of the Australian Cup already, having been bounced by NPL club South Melbourne in the round of 32. They conceded an early goal and never managed to muster a response
Flying Kiwis – August 6
After two games off the bench, including last week when he popped up to assist a 90+5th minute winner, Elijah Just found his way to a recall and responded with the decisive moment in the match.
OlyWhites & Football Ferns at the 2024 Paris Olympics: Double Defeat vs France
It was three defeats from three for the Football Ferns in Paris, with a 2-1 loss against hosts France closing the door on their Olympic quest for another cycle. But it was a good 2-1 loss.