May 18, 2025 • 28 mins
In this episode, Piney and Bonnie review the first leg of Auckland FC's A-League men's semi-final away at Melbourne Victory on Saturday night.
What was their 1-0 win built on? And can Melbourne Victory bounce back at GoMedia Stadium on Saturday night or will the Black Knights march into the Grand Final?
Plus, the Mariners win their first ever A-League women's title and the Football Ferns are named for matches next month against Venezuela.
Football Fever with Jason Pine & Bonnie Jansen is the weekly podcast to keep up with all the action from the beautiful game!
Our voice of football Jason Pine and award-winning sport journalist Bonnie Jansen follow the Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC on their quest for an A-League title - all the goals, all the drama, all the glory!
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Well, go to Football Fever. Another Monday has quickly rolled around,
which means another episode of Football Fever, where we discuss
all things a league and football is doing their thing
around the world with the New Zealand or the flag
(00:23):
flying for New Zealand. I'm Jason Pine. Bonnie Jensen is here.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Hello, Bonnie Gilder Piney, how are you?
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Very good? Thank you. Before we go any further, we
need to congratulate you on what happened on Friday night,
winner of Best up and Coming Journalist at the country's
flagship journalism awards, the Voyager Media Awards, which are on
Friday night. The judges commented on the depth of your work,
your unique ability to tell wider social stories through the
(00:50):
lens of sport. You were also a finalist for Sports
Journalist of the Year. Huge congrats, Bonnie, it's so deserved.
And look did you have a Did you celebrate appropriately?
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Oh? Thank you, Parney. It's very kind.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
Yes, I definitely celebrated appropriately and I paid for it
the next day when Auckland f C played at nine
point thirty at night, it was definitely hard keeping my
eyes open, but thankfully it was an entertaining game. So yeah,
got through it gladly. But no, yeah, very very very
happy about what happened on Friday.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
Well, I'm glad the voyages were Friday night actually because
you would have been struck with a scheduling conundrum had
they been on Saturday night. How would you have managed
that celebrating those victories of yours and also watching Auckland
f C against Melbourne victory.
Speaker 3 (01:37):
Well, piney, I would have requested that the matches live
stream in the background obviously, like I would have requested
that that was happening, you know, in the backdrop of
the stage. But nevertheless it worked out, and I mean
what a weekend Auckland f C one as well?
Speaker 1 (01:53):
Absolutely right, let's get to that then A league means
semi final leg one Saturday night, Amy Park in the
pouring rain, Melbourne victory nil. Auckland FC won. I just thought,
before we unpack parts of this game, it was a
very very very good performance from Auckland FC.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
Yeah, I completely agree. I think mentally it was probably
their best performance. You know, they went in and knew
the conditions weren't going to be great. That pitch just
looked so soggy and wet, and the ball was kind
of holding up but also moving very quickly at the
same time, and I thought they really adjusted it well,
(02:31):
and we haven't kind of seen you know, their character
has sometimes been questioned throughout the season, so I thought
they really stood up to the occasion, and even though
they didn't hold the most amount of possession, they still
took their moments and took their opportunities and looked like
the better team despite that.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Yeah, I think early on Melbourne victory came out, didn't
they They were at home, They knew that, you know,
they needed to get something out of the First League
if they were to realistically you get through the second
leg and into the Grand Final. I think Steve Corker
said afterwards that they were a bit rusty having not
played for a week and maybe now you look at
(03:12):
you know you and I you particularly questioned whether he
should have played some of the first teams in that
game against Western United at the back end of the season. Well,
you know, if he'd left them out, that would have
been three weeks without a game, So maybe it was
the right idea to play those players against Western United. Anyway,
they weathered the storm. Early Melbourne victory certainly came out
and the likes of Arzani and Volopola, you know, sort
(03:34):
of made themselves a bit of a threat. But the
thing that stands out for me across the game, Bonnie,
is that Alex Paulson did not have to make a
single save across the ninety minutes. Imagine having the home
leg of a knockout semi final and not testing the
opposition keeper with a shot on goal.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
Yeah, it is crazy, particularly given when you look at
the you know, the caliber of Melbourne Victory's forwards and
the amount of pressure they put on Auckland FC that
we just spoke about a minute ago. So yeah, it
was very confusing and I'm not certainly not complaining about it.
But I think Melbourne Victory, Yes, when you look at
(04:17):
them head to heat, Auckland f sare the better team,
and Melbourne Victory actually finished fifth in the regular season.
I still thought they would be a little bit more
competitive than what they were.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
I guess you do have to talk about the blocked
shots and the likes of Dan Hall, Nando Pinecker, Hiroki
Sarki did a terrific job of protecting Alex Paulson, didn't
they You know, it wasn't as though there weren't opportunities
for Melbourne Victory as one little stands are in the
first half when sort of three shots came in quick succession,
Dan Hall blocked the first one and then Nander got
(04:48):
his body in the way of the next two. So
I also saw that Hiroki Sarki crossed this game made
nine successful tackles and the most in any finals game
in a league history is ten. So here's a Roki
Sarky putting his body on the line as well. It
just seemed as though they were just absolutely hellbents on
making sure that Melbourne Victory would not score against them.
(05:10):
And that's now three straight clean sheets against melbourn Victory.
Melbourne Victory haven't yet scored a goal against Auckland f C.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
That's a crazy stat.
Speaker 3 (05:18):
I mean, we knew, we know how good Auckland f
C are at defending the pride of themselves on that
all season. I was worried that, you know, when it
came to these final series, maybe it would hurt them
a little bit because they're potentially too focused on that
more than they are on attacking. But I really liked
hearing throughout the game and your commentary Piney, which was
(05:42):
exceptional as per how Auckland FC that had become the
quickest Day League team.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
To fifty goals.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
And you know, you look at that contrast back on,
you know, early on in the season where we spoke
about that they're constant clean sheets and how good they're
defending was and how they potentially struggled to score goals
a little bit. But what a turnaround they've had. And
that's again going back to this game on Saturday. That
the contrast I liked was how compact they were at
(06:11):
the back and just how patient they were in their
attack moving forward. And you know, it took sixty four minutes,
but they got the job done. So they've nailed that balance.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
So Logan Rogerson was the only goal of the game
after sixty four minutes, inevitably set up by Francis Devrees,
who's just become the assist king, not just a Walkland FC,
but of the entire A League. And I was thinking
to myself yesterday, you know, here's Francis Direes, who a
year ago was sort of shopping himself around a little bit,
trying to find a professional club. A year ago, Logan
(06:42):
Rogerson was playing in Armenia. I mean, I defy most
people to know where Armenia even is. And here they were,
the two key was combining for such a crucial goal.
Apparently Steve Coriker gave Logan Rogerson a bit of a
serve at halftime and said, Logan, we need more from you,
we need we need a bit more. Well, it's a
good way to respond, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (07:03):
Well, how funny you say that, because I didn't realize
Steve it said that, but I thought the same thing.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
I kind of.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
I mean, it might have been my hangover, but after
that first half, I thought, where has Logan been? I
just hadn't seen much of him in that first half.
I thought Marley. Marley looked a lot better.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
Again.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
I was like, oh, they're starting him, you come on.
But I thought he looked probably more of an attacking
force than Logan did in that first half. So I mean,
it's it's well done from stev O because he obviously
got it out of out of Logan.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
Indeed he did. And then very late on NATEA. Modono,
who came off the bench actually even before Auckland had
scored their first goal, right right right at the end,
he was put through on goal. And I don't know
if I've seen it. I haven't seen that very often,
the shot against the post, bouncing across the line, hits
the other post and then bounces into the arms of
(07:56):
the goalkeeper. You don't see that very.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Often, No, you don't.
Speaker 3 (07:59):
And I wrote a column about this yesterday on the
Herald about whether will that you know, that moment come
back to haunt Auckland FC in the next match. You know,
one mill up is a great is a great outcome,
and they'll come in very confident into this home game
and it should should be a walk walk in the park.
(08:20):
But you know, equally to Neil would have been much nicer.
And I just wonder if maybe that moment was the
decisive moment of the semi finals series.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
I yes, we got to wait and see on Saturday night,
just before we moved to that game. Good traveling support,
a little throng of supporters up in the right hand
corner of the TV screen so they had a good
view of Logan Rogerson's goal. It was great to see
Logan and Francis and all of them actually go over
and celebrate and then after the game, you know, go
and thank them. I even saw a tweet that before
(08:54):
the game started, after the warm up they went over
all the players went over to that corner of the
ground to thank the traveling support back here down at Britomart.
The watch parties going on at Tyler Street, Sport Tuckle
Ty Square, the brit So, Yeah, there were a lot
of people out and about watching it. Second League this
coming Saturday, six o'clock. Go Media. Extra seats added thirty
(09:18):
thousand or so will be there. I saw earlier today Monday,
only around one thousand tickets are left as of today,
so they'll go soon. I'm just trying to imagine what
it's going to be like there on Saturday when that
game gets underway.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
I'm so excited.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
Penny and Yeah, I don't know how this extra seating
is going to look. I believe it's on that north
sand side. Yeah, it's kind of confusing how it's looking
on Ticketmasters. So it will be interesting. And what's also
exciting is the following day, Mount Smart again is also
sold out for the Warriors match, so they're going to
(09:56):
have sixty thousand people through the gates on over the weekend.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
Good on Go Media.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
It's a great stadium to watch sports at but super excited.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
For Auckland f C.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
I want to ask you Piney though, does Nada Moreno start? Like,
do you change the lineup?
Speaker 1 (10:11):
That's I was. I was hoping that I would get
the chance to ask you that question. But okay, here's
what I think. I Steve Corika is huge on not
changing a winning side. He's done that earlier in the season.
I remember louisvas Strata was suspended and when he came
back into contention, you think it was louiver Strada. He'll
just start he's he's Louis ver Strata, but Steve Couric said, no, no,
(10:34):
you got to you know, you got to buy your time.
So I just wonder whether he goes with the same
side Max Marta. We don't know whether he's going to
be fit. He didn't travel to Melbourne for this one
and Jesse Randall took his place. That might be an exception,
if you know, because that really does change the way
that Auckland f C play. But no, the answer I
(10:56):
think is no. Do you think he'll go Moreno over Francois.
Speaker 3 (11:00):
I mean if I was, if I was Steve, I
would I feel like Modano speaks for himself with what
he's done this season. But I wonder if maybe he'd
start over someone like Gesse Randall. We don't know what
where Max mutters at maybe he'll be fine come this weekend.
But yeah, it is a very interesting one. I agree
(11:22):
with you, Parney. I don't think Steve Corica will. I
wonder if he's a bit superstitious Steve, and obviously you
know he doesn't want to change, you know, fix what
ain't broke, But I wonder if it's a superstition thing
as well.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
Could well be. I mean, he's been very consistent with
the selections this year. I had a look yesterday. I
think there are eleven players in the squad who have
played twenty three or more of the twenty seven games.
So it's such a solid cores. And you and I've spoken,
and you've talked about what lies beneath the say fourteen
or fifteen and whether you know, if there was an
(11:53):
injury crisis that struck the side, what you know, would
they be able to cope? Do they have the depth?
Because you know the other side of this is Steve
Coraker hasn't really exposed too many of his his widest
squad to football this year, has there you know, a
bunch of guys have only had you know, one or
two appearances. Some haven't had any at all, so you know,
but that won't matter this weekend because everybody's pretty much fit.
(12:16):
The other interesting part will be the tactics and if
you know, you don't have to concede, if you know, okay,
if we don't, can see we're out of the Grand Final.
I'm sure there's a temptation to be defensive, but it
just doesn't seem, as I said to you last week,
to be any part of what Steve Corker does.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
In saying that, I do wonder if they will go
back to three at the back because it works that
second time against Melbourne when they beat them too nil.
That was one of their best ever games this season
when they went to three at the back. Hiroki Saka
and Nando Pinek and Dan Hall was Dan Hall back,
Yes it was Dan Hall. And I remember Steve saying
(12:59):
that he read liked the way his team played in
that formation. However, they kind of lacked that, you know,
going forward, and they weren't as attacking as he would
have liked to be. They don't need that, I guess
this weekend or not from the start anyway, So I
wonder if maybe he'll look at that just to change
things up, see what they can do again.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
It is It is very hard to say.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
I think even though Steve Coriker has kept it pretty
straight with his lineups and things like that this season,
he has still got a few tricks up his sleeve,
which I don't think we've seen them all yet.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
Can you see Melbourne victory spoiling the party? There are
only one nil down?
Speaker 3 (13:37):
Absolutely, I absolutely can and it again wrote this yesterday,
but it scares me.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
This one nil leads. It's gonna be hard.
Speaker 3 (13:47):
For Auckland def C to find that perfect line, that
balance between going in with confidence knowing they are one
nil up and they don't need to rush things, but
not becoming too complacent because that can happen. You know,
this is more than what they would have wanted out
of this first leag so that they have to get
that balance right, and you know it takes the pressure
(14:10):
off Melbourne. They can come to Auckland now. They're not
expected to beat Auckland in this fortress that they've built,
but they can come here now and just go at it.
They'll have to be careful that they don't isolate themselves
at the back and leave gaps because Auckland FC will pounce.
But they can go for it in the first half anyway.
So yeah, it'll be interesting to see what happens.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
If Auckland FC score a goal in the first half,
or score a goal at any time really, but particularly early,
then Melbourne Victory really have to chase the game, don't they.
At two Niel down they have to go for it,
which leaves them open perhaps at the back. If Melbourne
Victory were to open the scoring and it's one all,
then it's basically game on, isn't it. It is absolutely
game on. The way goals don't count for any more
(14:55):
than home goals, it's just the aggregate. So it's possible
we could go to to extra time and to a
penalty shootout on Saturday night at go meter. I'm not
sure the hearts of the thirty thousand, well some of
them could stand it, but that's all ahead of us.
We must have a winner on Saturday night to go
through to the Grand Final. Just a quick word on
the other Semi Western United nil Melbourne City three. The
(15:20):
Fraser Heir a lot is that you can't win a
two legged final in the first leg, but you can
certainly go a long way to losing it. Melbourne City
at one foot in the final, haven't they? Oh?
Speaker 3 (15:31):
Absolutely? And this is why I've said in recent weeks Piney,
I'm not that fuss to play Western United in a
semi or final. I think they've been too inconsistent all season.
And yes, that kind of Auckland's bogie team beating them
twice quite significantly, but they've also they've also lost some
(15:53):
big games, so hence this one in the weekend, and
I think Melbourne City looks scary about what we'll cross
city when we get there.
Speaker 2 (16:01):
I'm confident we will.
Speaker 1 (16:02):
All right, we'll think about that when the Grand Final arrives.
But yeah, now Melbourne City will be enjoying their week.
Hermann Ferrada, Jonatan Cohen and Matt Lecky with the goals
that gave them a three nil won the second League
of That game follows the Auckland game actually on Saturday night.
It's nine thirty five on Saturday night. That one also
at Amy Park.
Speaker 2 (16:26):
This is what.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
Let's go to the A League Women's final yesterday at
Amy Park. So Saint Patrick Grass that Auckland FC beat
Melbourne Victory on twenty four hours or so earlier. Full time.
It was Melbourne Victory. One the Central Coast Mariners won
Isabelle Gomes, of course, who played for the Phoenix in
their first year. Player of the match. She scored the
Mariner's goal in the forty sixth and then Claudia Bunge
(16:51):
with melbourn Victory's equalizer extra time penalties. The Mariners are champions, Bonnie.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
And I definitely didn't expect the safe Melbourne Victory were
suddenly going to go and get the job done. Shout
out to Claudia who scored that goal of as football
Ferns center back, so well done to her. But it's nice,
you know. Obviously it was kind of rooting for Melbourne
Victory with Claudia in there, and also Gareth Turnbull, who's
(17:21):
there another KEYWI assistant coach of Melbourne Victory. But it
was kind of nice to see a new team win it,
I suppose.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
Yeah, absolutely, and I don't think anybody picked this right.
Pretty much from halfway through the season, when Melbourne City
and Melbourne Victory were clearing out from the rest, it
just seemed like we were destined for a Melbourne victory
Melbourne City Final, didn't it. And we talked last week
on the podcast about the off side goal that got
the Mariners through, but you know that's football, and through
they went, and well, they were ten minutes away from
(17:49):
winning it in ninety minutes, weren't they until Claudia's header.
They still got to get through extra time and hold
their nerve on penalties, which they did their first ever
A League women's championship. Emily Husband I thought this was odd,
just the fourth female coach in A League women's history
to win the championship. So maybe there's still a wee
way to go before we get true equalization around coaching
(18:12):
at a league women's level. Do you have any thoughts
on that?
Speaker 3 (18:14):
Yeah, I do, Piney, and it's something Emma Hayes, who's
obviously the FIFA best coach in the world and coaches
the US women's national team. She's been promoting a lot
and being a big advocate of getting more women into
coaching roles. We don't see a lot of it, obviously.
I think the women's game is so far behind. We
(18:35):
spoke about VR last week in the A League and
things like that. So yes, there's definitely a long way
to go, and coaching coaching is one of them. I
think a shout out though to Isabel Gomez, who obviously
scored that goal for Central christ mariadis she scored that
goal the week before as well, which was definitely offside.
(18:56):
She probably knew it as much as we all did,
but she's come such a long way since her time
at the Wellington Phoenix and she's just had a call
up to the Matilda's squad under Tom Somani, interim coach.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
Yeah. Great to know that if you play well in
the A League you catch the eye of the national coach.
I saw Isabel Gomez's name there and I don't think
there's any dispute that she's been absolutely terrific and obviously pivotal,
not just with goals but with the performances as well.
And now she's the owner of a A League Women's
Championship medal, So yeah, well done to Isabelle Gomez. A
(19:28):
couple of bits of Phoenix news. They won their Australia
Cup match in Darwin one NELT against Brisbane a goal
to cost of Barbarusis so it means that they make
their way into the round of thirty two. The most
important part of this, of course, is that it gives
them games in the middle part of the calendar year
as part of their preseason. They get meaningful matches as
part of their preseason, rather than trying to organize them
(19:51):
against local club teams or perhaps another A League team.
Speaking of Costa, still no word as of today today's
May the nineteenth on his future. As I understand it,
his contract runs out on the thirty first of May,
so at some point in the next couple of weeks
they're going to have to make an announcement whether the
decisions being made and they're working through it. I don't know.
Speaker 3 (20:14):
I have a theory, Piney go on, I think cost
is staying and hear me out on this one, just
based on the postmatch interview he had over in that
Australia Cup match against Brisbane that the young reporter asked
him about you know what it's like going to be
like to play Wrexham and just his the tents in
(20:36):
which you know, he was phrasing things and he was saying.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
Yeah, we're really looking forward.
Speaker 3 (20:41):
To that match, and you know, I think it'll be
good for the team to grow. And I just thought
the way he was wording his words was interesting and
it kind of you kind of got the sense that
he was going to be there at that Wrecksham game.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
I like that. Look, I hope your intuition's right. Look, yeah,
I didn't pay up on that, So that's great intuition
from you, because I said to you last week. Remember
at the Phoenix Awards, the speeches that he did there
didn't allude to us or we at all. So that's
what sort of got me a bit worried. But look,
(21:15):
I mean, let's just wait until we find out for
sure whether Costa is starring. I certainly hope that you're
right and Wrexham play the Wellington Phoenix in Wellington on
Saturday July nineteenth. Is that it'll be a bit of
glitz and glamour. I'm not sure whether the Hollywood owners
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny are making the trip down
to Wellington. I'm sure they would welcomed with open arms
(21:37):
if they did. But yeah, something a bit special for
Wellington Phoenix fans to enjoy on Saturday the nineteenth. Just
wanted to finish today on the Football Ferns squad. Of course,
the last time they got together for a tour it
got well, it was wrecked, wasn't it. Let him play
the game against Taiwan. They played Venezuela early next month
in Spain. The games are on the first of June
(21:58):
and the fourth of June zell in time, both in
the early hours of the morning. Michael Mayne is still
in temporary charge. Do we know when there's going to
be a permanent coach announcement for the Football Funds or
are we still waiting for that as well?
Speaker 3 (22:10):
I feel like it was coming the end of this
month or early next month. But yeah, I know that
they're down to a short list of names and final interviews.
I have a feeling it to be Michael Mayne, though,
So I just feel like the way he's kind of
(22:32):
been given a lot of freedom to, you know, see
lots of different players and leave some senior players out
of squads since you know, the start of this year
kind of suggests that he's looking at how he wants
his team going forward.
Speaker 1 (22:47):
Yeah, I tend to agree. Do you think that would
be a popular decision with the players?
Speaker 3 (22:52):
I think some of them will, you know, rarely get
on board with it. I don't mind the guy. I
need to see more. I think he's a great, great person,
a great coach. I think he's doing well seeing a
whole bunch of different players. I think it is interesting
him leaving out players like Katie Bowen and Rebecca Stott
(23:13):
and CJ.
Speaker 2 (23:15):
Bott like he did earlier this year.
Speaker 3 (23:17):
Which was kind of interesting, a bit bold, but maybe
you know, we've got to give it to him that
he did that. So yeah, I can't speak for the players,
but I feel like some of them do probably really.
Speaker 2 (23:31):
Like where he's going with the team.
Speaker 1 (23:33):
I think the other part of this is that while
he's in charge of the team, it's almost like possessions
nine tenths of the law. You know, he's got the job,
he's got the opportunity every time he takes them out there.
You know, he's almost on trial in a way. That's
the wrong word, I know, but that's why I think
it was such a shame that they didn't get the
chance to play against Taiwan because for Michael Maine, he
(23:53):
would have been very, very keen to show the decision
makers at New Zealand Football another good performance from his
team wouldn't he.
Speaker 3 (24:01):
Yes, Yeah, and that's that's why exactly was a shame
for him and probably a shame for the other contenders
on the short list because they'll be looking at Michael
Maine now off on another tour and seeing him get
a shot. But I think I guess he deserves that
opportunity to show what he's got, you know, being under
Yika for a few years. Yeah, I think they've got it.
(24:25):
They've got to beat Venezuela. That needs to happen. I
wonder if this is his last trial to show, to
show what he's got before he makes before they make
a decision.
Speaker 1 (24:34):
Yeah, that could be it. Venezuela are fifty first in
the world, currently New Zealander thirty second, so by that
metric it should be a well, I was going to say,
a comfortable two nil win in this series. I'm sure
that's what Michael Main's hoping. Looking at some of the
players who have been recalled, Ali Green is in there,
Devin Jackson, You'll be delighted with Devin Jackson's recall into
(24:56):
the national side. Grace Jarlay as well, Rebecca starts back
to be He hasn't a new mum in the squad
for the first time since she gave birth last year.
So great to see her, you know, proving yet again
that the childbirth and becoming a mum is no impediment
to being an international footballer. I think that's that's terrific.
Speaker 2 (25:14):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (25:15):
I understand as well, Betsy's going to be traveling with
her baby, so her baby will come onto her and
you know, be with the team and things like that.
So yeah, it's a really positive set forward that New
Zealand Football have kind of included her in that.
Speaker 1 (25:30):
The release also talked about some players who were not
available for selection due to and I'll read from the
release injury concerns or return to play considerations. Those players
c J Bott, Katie Bow and Macy Fraser, an elite,
Milia steinmetz Alie Riley and India Page. Riley is an
(25:50):
elite playing in gold for anybody at the moment or not.
Speaker 3 (25:54):
No, she's playing as a striker for Hibiscus Coast in
the Lotto NRFL, the woman's premier competition here in Auckland.
I understand an elite was wanting to play for Auckland
IFC and the women's team. So now that that is
unlikely to happen. She might be a little bit stuck.
(26:15):
I'm not sure what's going to happen there, but it
is a real shame because she is a bloody good
goalkeeper excuse my French, and yeah, I want to see
her back in the Ferns mix asap.
Speaker 1 (26:27):
So do I, so do I Allie Riley. I thought
she may have quietly retired, but if her name's still
being talked about as someone who's unavailable for selection, you'd
have to think she hasn't pulled the pin. She still
might represent New Zealand again. Would we see Allie Riley
in a Fern shirt again?
Speaker 2 (26:46):
I think yeah.
Speaker 3 (26:47):
I think she is still recovering from injury, obviously trying
to get back to play for Angel City, her.
Speaker 2 (26:53):
Club in LA.
Speaker 3 (26:56):
I don't think we'll probably see her in a Football
Firms jersey again. Yeah, whether we'll even see her in
an Angel City jersey. It's been sometime since she's been
on the park now since before the Olympics, so yeah,
I think that one is pushing pushing the luck a
little bit. But I mean it is a shame because
she's had so many caps for New Zealand. I'd like
(27:19):
to see her get a final run out like Annalie
Longo is going to get this upcoming to her.
Speaker 1 (27:23):
Yeah, that's the other one, isn't it. Annelie Longo retired
from from club football, supposedly in the football firm squad.
I can't remember I mentioned this last week or not
when we were talking about Bev Priestman being the obvious
contender to take over at Wellington Phoenix. I wonder if
that does happen, whether Anally Longo might quickly unretire.
Speaker 3 (27:42):
Oh, I thought you were going to say Annali Longo
could coach because she is she has done like her
coaching licenses, hasn't she?
Speaker 1 (27:49):
I think so you could see that. Yeah, well I
think I think so. But I know, I think I
think she might quite like the idea of being in
a team that Bev Priestman is coaching. I don't know.
It might be one of the one of the artist
retirements in history, Bonnie.
Speaker 3 (28:02):
Well, maybe even shorter than Porscha Woodman, as we saw
retired from rugby and now she's back and will cut
bound later this year.
Speaker 1 (28:09):
Everybody is allowed to change their mind, Bonnie. Everybody is
allowed to change their mind. Apart from the judges at
the Voyager Awards. They've already made their decision. They will
not be changing that. Yes, all right, Bonnie, that's us
for today. Big big weekend coming Saturday night at GO
Media is going to go mad. I get the feeling. Look,
(28:30):
it's hard to predict what will happen, but what we
can say is will be some occasion there for the
first ever home finals match for Auckland FC. We will
break it all down for you a week from now
when football Fever returns. Have a great week, Bonnie, See
at Lada
Well, go to Football Fever. Another Monday has quickly rolled around,
which means another episode of Football Fever, where we discuss
all things a league and football is doing their thing
around the world with the New Zealand or the flag
(00:23):
flying for New Zealand. I'm Jason Pine. Bonnie Jensen is here.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Hello, Bonnie Gilder Piney, how are you?
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Very good? Thank you. Before we go any further, we
need to congratulate you on what happened on Friday night,
winner of Best up and Coming Journalist at the country's
flagship journalism awards, the Voyager Media Awards, which are on
Friday night. The judges commented on the depth of your work,
your unique ability to tell wider social stories through the
(00:50):
lens of sport. You were also a finalist for Sports
Journalist of the Year. Huge congrats, Bonnie, it's so deserved.
And look did you have a Did you celebrate appropriately?
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Oh? Thank you, Parney. It's very kind.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
Yes, I definitely celebrated appropriately and I paid for it
the next day when Auckland f C played at nine
point thirty at night, it was definitely hard keeping my
eyes open, but thankfully it was an entertaining game. So yeah,
got through it gladly. But no, yeah, very very very
happy about what happened on Friday.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
Well, I'm glad the voyages were Friday night actually because
you would have been struck with a scheduling conundrum had
they been on Saturday night. How would you have managed
that celebrating those victories of yours and also watching Auckland
f C against Melbourne victory.
Speaker 3 (01:37):
Well, piney, I would have requested that the matches live
stream in the background obviously, like I would have requested
that that was happening, you know, in the backdrop of
the stage. But nevertheless it worked out, and I mean
what a weekend Auckland f C one as well?
Speaker 1 (01:53):
Absolutely right, let's get to that then A league means
semi final leg one Saturday night, Amy Park in the
pouring rain, Melbourne victory nil. Auckland FC won. I just thought,
before we unpack parts of this game, it was a
very very very good performance from Auckland FC.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
Yeah, I completely agree. I think mentally it was probably
their best performance. You know, they went in and knew
the conditions weren't going to be great. That pitch just
looked so soggy and wet, and the ball was kind
of holding up but also moving very quickly at the
same time, and I thought they really adjusted it well,
(02:31):
and we haven't kind of seen you know, their character
has sometimes been questioned throughout the season, so I thought
they really stood up to the occasion, and even though
they didn't hold the most amount of possession, they still
took their moments and took their opportunities and looked like
the better team despite that.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Yeah, I think early on Melbourne victory came out, didn't
they They were at home, They knew that, you know,
they needed to get something out of the First League
if they were to realistically you get through the second
leg and into the Grand Final. I think Steve Corker
said afterwards that they were a bit rusty having not
played for a week and maybe now you look at
(03:12):
you know you and I you particularly questioned whether he
should have played some of the first teams in that
game against Western United at the back end of the season. Well,
you know, if he'd left them out, that would have
been three weeks without a game, So maybe it was
the right idea to play those players against Western United. Anyway,
they weathered the storm. Early Melbourne victory certainly came out
and the likes of Arzani and Volopola, you know, sort
(03:34):
of made themselves a bit of a threat. But the
thing that stands out for me across the game, Bonnie,
is that Alex Paulson did not have to make a
single save across the ninety minutes. Imagine having the home
leg of a knockout semi final and not testing the
opposition keeper with a shot on goal.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
Yeah, it is crazy, particularly given when you look at
the you know, the caliber of Melbourne Victory's forwards and
the amount of pressure they put on Auckland FC that
we just spoke about a minute ago. So yeah, it
was very confusing and I'm not certainly not complaining about it.
But I think Melbourne Victory, Yes, when you look at
(04:17):
them head to heat, Auckland f sare the better team,
and Melbourne Victory actually finished fifth in the regular season.
I still thought they would be a little bit more
competitive than what they were.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
I guess you do have to talk about the blocked
shots and the likes of Dan Hall, Nando Pinecker, Hiroki
Sarki did a terrific job of protecting Alex Paulson, didn't
they You know, it wasn't as though there weren't opportunities
for Melbourne Victory as one little stands are in the
first half when sort of three shots came in quick succession,
Dan Hall blocked the first one and then Nander got
(04:48):
his body in the way of the next two. So
I also saw that Hiroki Sarki crossed this game made
nine successful tackles and the most in any finals game
in a league history is ten. So here's a Roki
Sarky putting his body on the line as well. It
just seemed as though they were just absolutely hellbents on
making sure that Melbourne Victory would not score against them.
(05:10):
And that's now three straight clean sheets against melbourn Victory.
Melbourne Victory haven't yet scored a goal against Auckland f C.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
That's a crazy stat.
Speaker 3 (05:18):
I mean, we knew, we know how good Auckland f
C are at defending the pride of themselves on that
all season. I was worried that, you know, when it
came to these final series, maybe it would hurt them
a little bit because they're potentially too focused on that
more than they are on attacking. But I really liked
hearing throughout the game and your commentary Piney, which was
(05:42):
exceptional as per how Auckland FC that had become the
quickest Day League team.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
To fifty goals.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
And you know, you look at that contrast back on,
you know, early on in the season where we spoke
about that they're constant clean sheets and how good they're
defending was and how they potentially struggled to score goals
a little bit. But what a turnaround they've had. And
that's again going back to this game on Saturday. That
the contrast I liked was how compact they were at
(06:11):
the back and just how patient they were in their
attack moving forward. And you know, it took sixty four minutes,
but they got the job done. So they've nailed that balance.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
So Logan Rogerson was the only goal of the game
after sixty four minutes, inevitably set up by Francis Devrees,
who's just become the assist king, not just a Walkland FC,
but of the entire A League. And I was thinking
to myself yesterday, you know, here's Francis Direes, who a
year ago was sort of shopping himself around a little bit,
trying to find a professional club. A year ago, Logan
(06:42):
Rogerson was playing in Armenia. I mean, I defy most
people to know where Armenia even is. And here they were,
the two key was combining for such a crucial goal.
Apparently Steve Coriker gave Logan Rogerson a bit of a
serve at halftime and said, Logan, we need more from you,
we need we need a bit more. Well, it's a
good way to respond, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (07:03):
Well, how funny you say that, because I didn't realize
Steve it said that, but I thought the same thing.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
I kind of.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
I mean, it might have been my hangover, but after
that first half, I thought, where has Logan been? I
just hadn't seen much of him in that first half.
I thought Marley. Marley looked a lot better.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
Again.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
I was like, oh, they're starting him, you come on.
But I thought he looked probably more of an attacking
force than Logan did in that first half. So I mean,
it's it's well done from stev O because he obviously
got it out of out of Logan.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
Indeed he did. And then very late on NATEA. Modono,
who came off the bench actually even before Auckland had
scored their first goal, right right right at the end,
he was put through on goal. And I don't know
if I've seen it. I haven't seen that very often,
the shot against the post, bouncing across the line, hits
the other post and then bounces into the arms of
(07:56):
the goalkeeper. You don't see that very.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Often, No, you don't.
Speaker 3 (07:59):
And I wrote a column about this yesterday on the
Herald about whether will that you know, that moment come
back to haunt Auckland FC in the next match. You know,
one mill up is a great is a great outcome,
and they'll come in very confident into this home game
and it should should be a walk walk in the park.
(08:20):
But you know, equally to Neil would have been much nicer.
And I just wonder if maybe that moment was the
decisive moment of the semi finals series.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
I yes, we got to wait and see on Saturday night,
just before we moved to that game. Good traveling support,
a little throng of supporters up in the right hand
corner of the TV screen so they had a good
view of Logan Rogerson's goal. It was great to see
Logan and Francis and all of them actually go over
and celebrate and then after the game, you know, go
and thank them. I even saw a tweet that before
(08:54):
the game started, after the warm up they went over
all the players went over to that corner of the
ground to thank the traveling support back here down at Britomart.
The watch parties going on at Tyler Street, Sport Tuckle
Ty Square, the brit So, Yeah, there were a lot
of people out and about watching it. Second League this
coming Saturday, six o'clock. Go Media. Extra seats added thirty
(09:18):
thousand or so will be there. I saw earlier today Monday,
only around one thousand tickets are left as of today,
so they'll go soon. I'm just trying to imagine what
it's going to be like there on Saturday when that
game gets underway.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
I'm so excited.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
Penny and Yeah, I don't know how this extra seating
is going to look. I believe it's on that north
sand side. Yeah, it's kind of confusing how it's looking
on Ticketmasters. So it will be interesting. And what's also
exciting is the following day, Mount Smart again is also
sold out for the Warriors match, so they're going to
(09:56):
have sixty thousand people through the gates on over the weekend.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
Good on Go Media.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
It's a great stadium to watch sports at but super excited.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
For Auckland f C.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
I want to ask you Piney though, does Nada Moreno start? Like,
do you change the lineup?
Speaker 1 (10:11):
That's I was. I was hoping that I would get
the chance to ask you that question. But okay, here's
what I think. I Steve Corika is huge on not
changing a winning side. He's done that earlier in the season.
I remember louisvas Strata was suspended and when he came
back into contention, you think it was louiver Strada. He'll
just start he's he's Louis ver Strata, but Steve Couric said, no, no,
(10:34):
you got to you know, you got to buy your time.
So I just wonder whether he goes with the same
side Max Marta. We don't know whether he's going to
be fit. He didn't travel to Melbourne for this one
and Jesse Randall took his place. That might be an exception,
if you know, because that really does change the way
that Auckland f C play. But no, the answer I
(10:56):
think is no. Do you think he'll go Moreno over Francois.
Speaker 3 (11:00):
I mean if I was, if I was Steve, I
would I feel like Modano speaks for himself with what
he's done this season. But I wonder if maybe he'd
start over someone like Gesse Randall. We don't know what
where Max mutters at maybe he'll be fine come this weekend.
But yeah, it is a very interesting one. I agree
(11:22):
with you, Parney. I don't think Steve Corica will. I
wonder if he's a bit superstitious Steve, and obviously you
know he doesn't want to change, you know, fix what
ain't broke, But I wonder if it's a superstition thing
as well.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
Could well be. I mean, he's been very consistent with
the selections this year. I had a look yesterday. I
think there are eleven players in the squad who have
played twenty three or more of the twenty seven games.
So it's such a solid cores. And you and I've spoken,
and you've talked about what lies beneath the say fourteen
or fifteen and whether you know, if there was an
(11:53):
injury crisis that struck the side, what you know, would
they be able to cope? Do they have the depth?
Because you know the other side of this is Steve
Coraker hasn't really exposed too many of his his widest
squad to football this year, has there you know, a
bunch of guys have only had you know, one or
two appearances. Some haven't had any at all, so you know,
but that won't matter this weekend because everybody's pretty much fit.
(12:16):
The other interesting part will be the tactics and if
you know, you don't have to concede, if you know, okay,
if we don't, can see we're out of the Grand Final.
I'm sure there's a temptation to be defensive, but it
just doesn't seem, as I said to you last week,
to be any part of what Steve Corker does.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
In saying that, I do wonder if they will go
back to three at the back because it works that
second time against Melbourne when they beat them too nil.
That was one of their best ever games this season
when they went to three at the back. Hiroki Saka
and Nando Pinek and Dan Hall was Dan Hall back,
Yes it was Dan Hall. And I remember Steve saying
(12:59):
that he read liked the way his team played in
that formation. However, they kind of lacked that, you know,
going forward, and they weren't as attacking as he would
have liked to be. They don't need that, I guess
this weekend or not from the start anyway, So I
wonder if maybe he'll look at that just to change
things up, see what they can do again.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
It is It is very hard to say.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
I think even though Steve Coriker has kept it pretty
straight with his lineups and things like that this season,
he has still got a few tricks up his sleeve,
which I don't think we've seen them all yet.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
Can you see Melbourne victory spoiling the party? There are
only one nil down?
Speaker 3 (13:37):
Absolutely, I absolutely can and it again wrote this yesterday,
but it scares me.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
This one nil leads. It's gonna be hard.
Speaker 3 (13:47):
For Auckland def C to find that perfect line, that
balance between going in with confidence knowing they are one
nil up and they don't need to rush things, but
not becoming too complacent because that can happen. You know,
this is more than what they would have wanted out
of this first leag so that they have to get
that balance right, and you know it takes the pressure
(14:10):
off Melbourne. They can come to Auckland now. They're not
expected to beat Auckland in this fortress that they've built,
but they can come here now and just go at it.
They'll have to be careful that they don't isolate themselves
at the back and leave gaps because Auckland FC will pounce.
But they can go for it in the first half anyway.
So yeah, it'll be interesting to see what happens.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
If Auckland FC score a goal in the first half,
or score a goal at any time really, but particularly early,
then Melbourne Victory really have to chase the game, don't they.
At two Niel down they have to go for it,
which leaves them open perhaps at the back. If Melbourne
Victory were to open the scoring and it's one all,
then it's basically game on, isn't it. It is absolutely
game on. The way goals don't count for any more
(14:55):
than home goals, it's just the aggregate. So it's possible
we could go to to extra time and to a
penalty shootout on Saturday night at go meter. I'm not
sure the hearts of the thirty thousand, well some of
them could stand it, but that's all ahead of us.
We must have a winner on Saturday night to go
through to the Grand Final. Just a quick word on
the other Semi Western United nil Melbourne City three. The
(15:20):
Fraser Heir a lot is that you can't win a
two legged final in the first leg, but you can
certainly go a long way to losing it. Melbourne City
at one foot in the final, haven't they? Oh?
Speaker 3 (15:31):
Absolutely? And this is why I've said in recent weeks Piney,
I'm not that fuss to play Western United in a
semi or final. I think they've been too inconsistent all season.
And yes, that kind of Auckland's bogie team beating them
twice quite significantly, but they've also they've also lost some
(15:53):
big games, so hence this one in the weekend, and
I think Melbourne City looks scary about what we'll cross
city when we get there.
Speaker 2 (16:01):
I'm confident we will.
Speaker 1 (16:02):
All right, we'll think about that when the Grand Final arrives.
But yeah, now Melbourne City will be enjoying their week.
Hermann Ferrada, Jonatan Cohen and Matt Lecky with the goals
that gave them a three nil won the second League
of That game follows the Auckland game actually on Saturday night.
It's nine thirty five on Saturday night. That one also
at Amy Park.
Speaker 2 (16:26):
This is what.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
Let's go to the A League Women's final yesterday at
Amy Park. So Saint Patrick Grass that Auckland FC beat
Melbourne Victory on twenty four hours or so earlier. Full time.
It was Melbourne Victory. One the Central Coast Mariners won
Isabelle Gomes, of course, who played for the Phoenix in
their first year. Player of the match. She scored the
Mariner's goal in the forty sixth and then Claudia Bunge
(16:51):
with melbourn Victory's equalizer extra time penalties. The Mariners are champions, Bonnie.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
And I definitely didn't expect the safe Melbourne Victory were
suddenly going to go and get the job done. Shout
out to Claudia who scored that goal of as football
Ferns center back, so well done to her. But it's nice,
you know. Obviously it was kind of rooting for Melbourne
Victory with Claudia in there, and also Gareth Turnbull, who's
(17:21):
there another KEYWI assistant coach of Melbourne Victory. But it
was kind of nice to see a new team win it,
I suppose.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
Yeah, absolutely, and I don't think anybody picked this right.
Pretty much from halfway through the season, when Melbourne City
and Melbourne Victory were clearing out from the rest, it
just seemed like we were destined for a Melbourne victory
Melbourne City Final, didn't it. And we talked last week
on the podcast about the off side goal that got
the Mariners through, but you know that's football, and through
they went, and well, they were ten minutes away from
(17:49):
winning it in ninety minutes, weren't they until Claudia's header.
They still got to get through extra time and hold
their nerve on penalties, which they did their first ever
A League women's championship. Emily Husband I thought this was odd,
just the fourth female coach in A League women's history
to win the championship. So maybe there's still a wee
way to go before we get true equalization around coaching
(18:12):
at a league women's level. Do you have any thoughts
on that?
Speaker 3 (18:14):
Yeah, I do, Piney, and it's something Emma Hayes, who's
obviously the FIFA best coach in the world and coaches
the US women's national team. She's been promoting a lot
and being a big advocate of getting more women into
coaching roles. We don't see a lot of it, obviously.
I think the women's game is so far behind. We
(18:35):
spoke about VR last week in the A League and
things like that. So yes, there's definitely a long way
to go, and coaching coaching is one of them. I
think a shout out though to Isabel Gomez, who obviously
scored that goal for Central christ mariadis she scored that
goal the week before as well, which was definitely offside.
(18:56):
She probably knew it as much as we all did,
but she's come such a long way since her time
at the Wellington Phoenix and she's just had a call
up to the Matilda's squad under Tom Somani, interim coach.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
Yeah. Great to know that if you play well in
the A League you catch the eye of the national coach.
I saw Isabel Gomez's name there and I don't think
there's any dispute that she's been absolutely terrific and obviously pivotal,
not just with goals but with the performances as well.
And now she's the owner of a A League Women's
Championship medal, So yeah, well done to Isabelle Gomez. A
(19:28):
couple of bits of Phoenix news. They won their Australia
Cup match in Darwin one NELT against Brisbane a goal
to cost of Barbarusis so it means that they make
their way into the round of thirty two. The most
important part of this, of course, is that it gives
them games in the middle part of the calendar year
as part of their preseason. They get meaningful matches as
part of their preseason, rather than trying to organize them
(19:51):
against local club teams or perhaps another A League team.
Speaking of Costa, still no word as of today today's
May the nineteenth on his future. As I understand it,
his contract runs out on the thirty first of May,
so at some point in the next couple of weeks
they're going to have to make an announcement whether the
decisions being made and they're working through it. I don't know.
Speaker 3 (20:14):
I have a theory, Piney go on, I think cost
is staying and hear me out on this one, just
based on the postmatch interview he had over in that
Australia Cup match against Brisbane that the young reporter asked
him about you know what it's like going to be
like to play Wrexham and just his the tents in
(20:36):
which you know, he was phrasing things and he was saying.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
Yeah, we're really looking forward.
Speaker 3 (20:41):
To that match, and you know, I think it'll be
good for the team to grow. And I just thought
the way he was wording his words was interesting and
it kind of you kind of got the sense that
he was going to be there at that Wrecksham game.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
I like that. Look, I hope your intuition's right. Look, yeah,
I didn't pay up on that, So that's great intuition
from you, because I said to you last week. Remember
at the Phoenix Awards, the speeches that he did there
didn't allude to us or we at all. So that's
what sort of got me a bit worried. But look,
(21:15):
I mean, let's just wait until we find out for
sure whether Costa is starring. I certainly hope that you're
right and Wrexham play the Wellington Phoenix in Wellington on
Saturday July nineteenth. Is that it'll be a bit of
glitz and glamour. I'm not sure whether the Hollywood owners
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny are making the trip down
to Wellington. I'm sure they would welcomed with open arms
(21:37):
if they did. But yeah, something a bit special for
Wellington Phoenix fans to enjoy on Saturday the nineteenth. Just
wanted to finish today on the Football Ferns squad. Of course,
the last time they got together for a tour it
got well, it was wrecked, wasn't it. Let him play
the game against Taiwan. They played Venezuela early next month
in Spain. The games are on the first of June
(21:58):
and the fourth of June zell in time, both in
the early hours of the morning. Michael Mayne is still
in temporary charge. Do we know when there's going to
be a permanent coach announcement for the Football Funds or
are we still waiting for that as well?
Speaker 3 (22:10):
I feel like it was coming the end of this
month or early next month. But yeah, I know that
they're down to a short list of names and final interviews.
I have a feeling it to be Michael Mayne, though,
So I just feel like the way he's kind of
(22:32):
been given a lot of freedom to, you know, see
lots of different players and leave some senior players out
of squads since you know, the start of this year
kind of suggests that he's looking at how he wants
his team going forward.
Speaker 1 (22:47):
Yeah, I tend to agree. Do you think that would
be a popular decision with the players?
Speaker 3 (22:52):
I think some of them will, you know, rarely get
on board with it. I don't mind the guy. I
need to see more. I think he's a great, great person,
a great coach. I think he's doing well seeing a
whole bunch of different players. I think it is interesting
him leaving out players like Katie Bowen and Rebecca Stott
(23:13):
and CJ.
Speaker 2 (23:15):
Bott like he did earlier this year.
Speaker 3 (23:17):
Which was kind of interesting, a bit bold, but maybe
you know, we've got to give it to him that
he did that. So yeah, I can't speak for the players,
but I feel like some of them do probably really.
Speaker 2 (23:31):
Like where he's going with the team.
Speaker 1 (23:33):
I think the other part of this is that while
he's in charge of the team, it's almost like possessions
nine tenths of the law. You know, he's got the job,
he's got the opportunity every time he takes them out there.
You know, he's almost on trial in a way. That's
the wrong word, I know, but that's why I think
it was such a shame that they didn't get the
chance to play against Taiwan because for Michael Maine, he
(23:53):
would have been very, very keen to show the decision
makers at New Zealand Football another good performance from his
team wouldn't he.
Speaker 3 (24:01):
Yes, Yeah, and that's that's why exactly was a shame
for him and probably a shame for the other contenders
on the short list because they'll be looking at Michael
Maine now off on another tour and seeing him get
a shot. But I think I guess he deserves that
opportunity to show what he's got, you know, being under
Yika for a few years. Yeah, I think they've got it.
(24:25):
They've got to beat Venezuela. That needs to happen. I
wonder if this is his last trial to show, to
show what he's got before he makes before they make
a decision.
Speaker 1 (24:34):
Yeah, that could be it. Venezuela are fifty first in
the world, currently New Zealander thirty second, so by that
metric it should be a well, I was going to say,
a comfortable two nil win in this series. I'm sure
that's what Michael Main's hoping. Looking at some of the
players who have been recalled, Ali Green is in there,
Devin Jackson, You'll be delighted with Devin Jackson's recall into
(24:56):
the national side. Grace Jarlay as well, Rebecca starts back
to be He hasn't a new mum in the squad
for the first time since she gave birth last year.
So great to see her, you know, proving yet again
that the childbirth and becoming a mum is no impediment
to being an international footballer. I think that's that's terrific.
Speaker 2 (25:14):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (25:15):
I understand as well, Betsy's going to be traveling with
her baby, so her baby will come onto her and
you know, be with the team and things like that.
So yeah, it's a really positive set forward that New
Zealand Football have kind of included her in that.
Speaker 1 (25:30):
The release also talked about some players who were not
available for selection due to and I'll read from the
release injury concerns or return to play considerations. Those players
c J Bott, Katie Bow and Macy Fraser, an elite,
Milia steinmetz Alie Riley and India Page. Riley is an
(25:50):
elite playing in gold for anybody at the moment or not.
Speaker 3 (25:54):
No, she's playing as a striker for Hibiscus Coast in
the Lotto NRFL, the woman's premier competition here in Auckland.
I understand an elite was wanting to play for Auckland
IFC and the women's team. So now that that is
unlikely to happen. She might be a little bit stuck.
(26:15):
I'm not sure what's going to happen there, but it
is a real shame because she is a bloody good
goalkeeper excuse my French, and yeah, I want to see
her back in the Ferns mix asap.
Speaker 1 (26:27):
So do I, so do I Allie Riley. I thought
she may have quietly retired, but if her name's still
being talked about as someone who's unavailable for selection, you'd
have to think she hasn't pulled the pin. She still
might represent New Zealand again. Would we see Allie Riley
in a Fern shirt again?
Speaker 2 (26:46):
I think yeah.
Speaker 3 (26:47):
I think she is still recovering from injury, obviously trying
to get back to play for Angel City, her.
Speaker 2 (26:53):
Club in LA.
Speaker 3 (26:56):
I don't think we'll probably see her in a Football
Firms jersey again. Yeah, whether we'll even see her in
an Angel City jersey. It's been sometime since she's been
on the park now since before the Olympics, so yeah,
I think that one is pushing pushing the luck a
little bit. But I mean it is a shame because
she's had so many caps for New Zealand. I'd like
(27:19):
to see her get a final run out like Annalie
Longo is going to get this upcoming to her.
Speaker 1 (27:23):
Yeah, that's the other one, isn't it. Annelie Longo retired
from from club football, supposedly in the football firm squad.
I can't remember I mentioned this last week or not
when we were talking about Bev Priestman being the obvious
contender to take over at Wellington Phoenix. I wonder if
that does happen, whether Anally Longo might quickly unretire.
Speaker 3 (27:42):
Oh, I thought you were going to say Annali Longo
could coach because she is she has done like her
coaching licenses, hasn't she?
Speaker 1 (27:49):
I think so you could see that. Yeah, well I
think I think so. But I know, I think I
think she might quite like the idea of being in
a team that Bev Priestman is coaching. I don't know.
It might be one of the one of the artist
retirements in history, Bonnie.
Speaker 3 (28:02):
Well, maybe even shorter than Porscha Woodman, as we saw
retired from rugby and now she's back and will cut
bound later this year.
Speaker 1 (28:09):
Everybody is allowed to change their mind, Bonnie. Everybody is
allowed to change their mind. Apart from the judges at
the Voyager Awards. They've already made their decision. They will
not be changing that. Yes, all right, Bonnie, that's us
for today. Big big weekend coming Saturday night at GO
Media is going to go mad. I get the feeling. Look,
(28:30):
it's hard to predict what will happen, but what we
can say is will be some occasion there for the
first ever home finals match for Auckland FC. We will
break it all down for you a week from now
when football Fever returns. Have a great week, Bonnie, See
at Lada
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