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
Auckland FC Have Unveiled Their Very First Men's Reserves Squad
The latest step in the Auckland FC rollout occurred last week when the club confirmed its inaugural Men’s Reserves squad. This team will be a direct link to the local domestic scene, competing in the Northern and National Leagues of Aotearoa
Flying Kiwis – February 18
Nottingham Forest would have expected to breeze past League One’s Exeter City in their FA Cup fourth round tie. If they’re smart they might have even spoken to new recruit Tyler Bindon beforehand, he could have given them a few tips
Flying Kiwis – February 11
The headlines from Empoli’s match against AC Milan would have been very different if Liberato Cacace had seen red for his early stop on Kyle Walker’s shins.
Flying Kiwis – February 5
Chris Wood didn’t exactly get the celebration game he would have hoped for after his triumphant contract extension last week… but this week he more than made up for that anomaly
The Football Ferns Have Named A Very Intriguing Squad For Their Costa Rica Tour
It’s been six long months since the Football Ferns last took the pitch. Six months in which a couple of players have retired, some have gotten injured, plenty have had club transfers, and a bunch more have put themselves into the big selection pot
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
Flying Kiwis – January 28
There had been links to AC Milan, there had been links to Saudi Arabia, there had been links to Major League Soccer... but those were all mere bargaining as Chris Wood and his agent haggled over an inevitable new deal with Nottingham Forest
Ten Standout Prospects From The Next Wave Of The Wellington Phoenix Academy
The quickest and most accessible path to the pros for a young kiwi footballer these days is the Wellington Phoenix Academy. It’s been steadily brewing for a few years and we’ve now reached the point where every national age grade side, male and female, is saturated with WeeNixers
Flying Kiwis – January 21
Chris Wood scored 14 goals last season with Nottm Forest and also in 2019-20 with Burnley so this is the third time he’s reached this mark. It’s also the sixth season in which he’s passed double-figures.
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
Flying Kiwis – January 14
Libby Cacace had played 103 league games in Europe prior to this season, split between Belgium and Italy, and from all that he’d mustered zero goals and three assists. Happily, goal contributions have not been a problem for him in the 2024-25 campaign.
Flying Kiwis – January 7
Two Sarpreet Singh goals, both stemming from making those good supporting runs into the penalty area. The first was a bit fortunate with the ball ricocheting off his face but hey he was in the right spot at the right time, what can you say?
Flying Kiwis – December 31
This was already Tyler Bindon’s favourite time of the year but he probably loves it even more after scoring a bicycle kick winning goal for Reading against Mansfield Town
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…
2024 Men’s National League – Team of the Season
We just had one of the most open, competitive, and unpredictable Men’s National League seasons we’ve ever witnessed and would you believe it the damn thing ended with Auckland City as champions
2024 Women’s National League – Team of the Season
After another thrilling season of National League football... the expected outcome prevailed for Auckland United to complete their quadruple and make it through the entire calendar year undefeated
Flying Kiwis – December 18
A couple of weeks ago, CJ Bott and Liberato Cacace were each nominated for the FIFA Best Awards. Cacace followed that honour up by scoring his first goal for Empoli. Then, a few days later, CJ Bott did the same thing for Leicester City
Flying Kiwis – December 11
It’s been a long time since Liberato Cacace last scored a goal at club level. He did score an important one for the All Whites in 2022 when he bagged the winner in the Oceania World Cup qualifying tournament semi-final against Tahiti
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.