October 16, 2024 • 38 mins
Piney and Bonnie preview the opening weekend of the A-League men's season, with an historic first ever outing for Auckland FC against Brisbane Roar and the Phoenix hosting Western United.
They also predict the standout players, breakout stars and finishing positions for both NZ clubs.
We review the All Whites' two wins in the October window and expand on Bonnie's wrap of Jitka Klimkova's reign at Football Ferns coach in the NZ Herald.
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 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
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
Football Fever with News Talks MB's voice of Football Jason
Paine and Bonnie Jensen. Hello and welcome into Football Fever
with FIFA Plus stream New Zealand football live and free
on FIFA plus dot com. I'm Jason Pine Bonnie Jensen
here as well. We are nearly there, Bonnie, it is
almost time for us to start watching some A League football.
(00:24):
How are you feeling?
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Two sleeps?
Speaker 1 (00:25):
Piney.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
I just can't believe it. I'm you know, we've had
a lot of football in the break, but nothing like
the A League. Nothing beats it. And I'm super excited
that we've now got two teams to talk about.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
All right, well, let's talk about those two teams, starting
with the Auckland FC. Their first ever game in the
A League men's competition is against Brisbane raw Go Media
Mount Smart Stadium, five o'clock on Saturday. You live in Auckland.
What sort of buzz is there around about this team?
Speaker 2 (00:51):
I feel like it's huge. They've been They've gone hard
on the launch, There's no doubt about it. They've gone
hard on the rivalry. They're really starting to ramp it
up this week. You get the sense going out to
the team you know, they're really excited and so are
the community. Speaking when Becker their CEO, they're confident they're
going to sell out the game, which is which is huge.
(01:12):
You know, we talked about it a lot, but selling
out a league game in the round robin kind of
sets teams up for success financially anyway. So yeah, huge,
huge buzz. They've been given away free shirts on the
street and yeah, just really excited, you know, bring on Saturday.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
Yeah, you have to admire and applaud their marketing push,
even from down here in Wellington. Obviously I'm not in
and around the streets of Auckland where a lot of
this activation is happening. But their social media stuff has
been very good. They've yeah, they they've really built a
sense of excitement and you look, I can't wait to
be there at Mount Smart on Saturday for the opening game.
(01:49):
A full house there.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
What is that?
Speaker 1 (01:51):
Twenty three twenty five.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Yeah, we were trying to work this out before. I
think probably more like twenty five, twenty six, twenty seven.
I feel like Mount Smart holds up to thirty I'm
not quite sure, but yeah, around that I'm understanding. They've
now hit twenty thousand tickets.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Sold amazing, amazing. The forecast is pretty good for Saturday.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Yeah, it looks overcast. I mean, it's too hard to tell.
In Auckland it's four seasons in one day. But right
now it's looking overcast, which in my opinion, it's perfect
football conditions.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
As long as it's not windy. And it doesn't get
that windy in Auckland compared to Wellington, does it. At
the times I've been to Mount Smart albeit they've been
fairly rare, there hasn't been even if there has been
a breeze, it doesn't seem to affect things. As you say,
good footballing where the five o'clock is a good time.
You know, the days are getting a little bit longer now,
but I guess by the time the game finishes the
(02:43):
lights will be in effect. Yes, so much hype around
this game, celebrities and attendance. What are you hearing as
far as who's coming? Have you heard any whispers about
who might be in the and the corporate box or
the corporate areas where I presume you'll also be on
behalf of Football Fever? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (03:02):
No, definitely hearing obviously. Will Ali Williams and Anna Mobra
will Will no doubt be there supporting their new team.
Tim Brown. I'm not sure about Steven Adams, he's obviously
come on board, but hearing also Bill Foley, the owner,
he'll be there and as well as the Prime Minister,
so I think it's I think it's going to be
(03:23):
a pretty big deal. The other news is that we're
hearing that the Go Media Stadium have finally got their
second screen up and for anyone that's been to a
Warriors game will know that's that's huge. So there'll be
other ways to view the match and view the highlights
and the replays and things like that. So yeah, it's
shaping up to know what is going to be an
(03:45):
exciting match. I just hope there's lots of goals, you know,
for the fans. And I know that the port fans
are coming in strong from the Tylers Street Sports Spa
down in Britamark. They're going to be catching the train
and doing a big march, and it's it's just all.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
Go, how good, how good? You know, just so exciting,
you know. I get the feeling. Allie Williams will have
sent out a few messages. He'd have a pretty good
contact book of former All Blacks, some of those some
of those players. He won the World Cup within twenty eleven.
I mean, what chance Dan Carter turns up? For example,
ihod to whisper that Dan Carter might be at the game.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Bonny, imagine, imagine that it'll be epic. No, I hope
people get up for this. And you know, again, I
don't think people realize, like, you know, unless you're a
major football fan, how big this will be. We had
obviously the fief Woman's World Cup last year, which was
a huge moment in football. But I really hope this
is the start of something new. And obviously the hype
(04:40):
comes this weekend but continues on and at the same
time continues on for the Phoenix because we can't forget
what they have done for the A League and for
football in New Zealand. And Yeah, I hope the excitement
spreads across both both teams.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
Yeah, I feel like the Phoenix have flown very much
under the radar at the start of the season, probably
becausearticularly in the last week or so, Auckland FC have
just been everywhere. And that's great, you know, and you know,
the Phoenix are what they are. They're very comfortable with
where they are, had a terrific season last season. They're
ready to go against Western United on Sunday, also a
home game. They've got a reasonably friendly first couple of
(05:16):
games against against Western United then away at Perth Glory,
two games which are very winnable for them before the
first derby. I mean, you can only imagine what that
first derby's going to be like in the build up
to that. But yeah, let's go back to Auckland. They
have named their leadership group. Hiroki Sakai will lead the team.
He is the captain, the inaugural captain of this football club.
His vice captains Tommy Smith and Jake Brimmer. Any surprise
(05:40):
when those three names were the ones that were read out.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Not really, I mean where we've discussed this, Piney, but
obviously that their language barrier with Hiroki was one question mark.
But as you know, we'll catch up with them soon.
But as he mentioned, you know, he hopes to express
his leadership through his playing style and football is a language,
so no doubt he'll be able to lead this team
(06:05):
with good confidence. And Steve Corker told me he actually
just pretends he doesn't speak that very good English to media,
but in the dressing room he's he's full noise. One
of those I was like, yeah, maybe. I was like,
maybe they've done this as like a plan, as a tactic,
so that we don't ask the hard hitting questions and
pre match press conferences.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
Well it's here some of Hiroki Saka. You spoke to
him shortly after it was announced that he would be
the captain of the side, and you asked him how
it feels to be the man chosen to wear the
armband in the club's inaugural season.
Speaker 3 (06:37):
Yeah, of course, I'm so happy and I'm very honored
the fast of captain.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
Yeah did you expect it?
Speaker 3 (06:46):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (06:48):
Yeah, fifty to fifty.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
How did you react when they told you?
Speaker 3 (06:54):
Honestly, I'm so surprised because I'm I'm Japanese, so I'm
not Secureey Pray has so but coach they said like this,
So I respect to coach and they respect coaching stuff
as well. So I do ye as the captain's Hannah person.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
What's your leadership style? How do you like to be
a leader? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (07:19):
I said, My English is not rentes, so I just
show them, you know, the performance. My performance is most important,
I think, so I show them on the pitch for
young prayers. I don't know. It's support as well. And
also I have a two big great base captain, so
(07:40):
maybe they support to support me and they can't help
me as well.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
I think he lands on a really good point there.
It's just performances. That's how he leads. I think his
English is okay, Yeah, what you're saying. I think he's
whether he's foxing. I don't know you was you were
facing him, Whether he's foxing and pretending he's not as good,
But I think he's pretty good. But he'll get out
there and lead by his actions.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
Yeah, absolutely, And I love what he said. He's got
two big, great players underneath him and Tommy Smith and
Jake Brimmer, so yeah, no, it's a good selection.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
I think so. And also it's a guy who's going
to play every week. You know, he is an undoubted,
rusted on starter in this team, will play every week
at presumably right back to start with. He may at
times turn up in the center of defense. You know,
huge footballing pedigree, highly respected I'm sure amongst the playing
group for what he's done. And I would imagine inside
(08:33):
that playing group he has tremendous influence, even though English
isn't his first language. I don't know. I just having
not even met the guy, and you might be able
to speak to this. It just feels like he's got
and this is the wrong word for it because it's
a New Zealand word, it feels like he's got mana.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
Yeah, absolutely, Piney, I completely agree. In speaking to him.
I've been lucky enough to speak with him a few
times now. I actually got to go up to lunch
with him at a Japanese restaurant here at one point.
He feels really proud to be here in New Zealand
and he has a lot of respect for the country.
He's already enrolled his kids in schools. I think they
got to remu Era Primary. I can't don't quote me
(09:12):
on that one, but yeah, he's got As I say,
he's got a huge respect for New Zealand. He's excited
to be here. It is an honor for him. So
really looking forward to it. And just to confirm as
well as Steve Corriker did mention about, you know, Hiroki
can play multiple positions, but right now, as you say,
they see him at the right back position.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
All right, So one of those two vice captains, one
is Tommy Smith, the other is Jake Brimmer. You also
spoke to Jake and asked how he feels about the
extra responsibility handed to him as being vice captain or
one of the two vice captains of the side.
Speaker 4 (09:45):
It's an honor. Like I said before, it's a privilege
to be named vice captain his football club, obviously being
a new team, it's a privilege really that you get
identified to be a captain of the club. And you know,
I wish both Heroki and Tommy all the best, and
you know we're here to help Barroki as well. For me,
there's no reason why not. Everyone could be a leader,
(10:07):
and you know, obviously he wears the armband on the day,
but we're here for him and to help him as
much as possible as well.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
How did Steve ask you and did you expect that?
Speaker 4 (10:16):
Look, I've always identified myself as a leader and someone
that wants to help the younger boys, so I was
sort of I wouldn't say expecting it, but I definitely
knew i'd be a candidate for the job, and it
was just yeah, it was a real honor to be
picked and to be named as vice captain and I
hope that I can, you know, do exactly what he
wants me to do.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
You've spent a bit of time in the A League
and you've been with this team for a while now.
Do you think they're really comes Saturday to compete?
Speaker 4 (10:43):
Yeah, most definitely. I think from day one with Steve
coming in, you know, he's picked players that want to win,
They want to be successful and want to win trophies.
So I think, you know, all the hard work we've
done this preseason is an opportunity for us on Saturday
to just go out there and get the result that
we want.
Speaker 1 (10:59):
Yeah, how do.
Speaker 2 (10:59):
You expect Brisbane to shape up? Is it always kind
of that uncertainty person?
Speaker 4 (11:03):
Yeah, I think it is a very uncertain predicament. I think,
you know, any team you play for a Round one,
everyone's going to be up for it. But we know
we've done the work and come around one that we'll
be ready to get a result.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
That is Jake Brimmer I like him too straight away
having not met him, but I love the fact that
he didn't shy away from the fact that he was
a candidate for the vice captaincy. You know, Key, we's
would have gone, oh, you know, well, I didn't really know.
He's got a bit of Ossie brashness about him.
Speaker 4 (11:30):
I like it.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
Yeah, No, I agree as well. I was going to
say the exact same thing. The way he had that
confidence to go, I was kind of expecting it, you know.
I like that confidence. He mentioned it as well. Steve
Corick has picked winners. You can you can sense that
he wants something out of the season. So yeah, I
like the attitude of Jake Brimmer.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
Okay, So they'll play Brisbane Raw five o'clock Saturday, when
the team sheet arrives an hour or so before, which
is when it normally arrives in the media. Have a
crack at what you reckon. The starting eleven will be.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
Okay, I reckon it'll be Ap and goal Alex Paulsen
and goal Herokei, Dan Hall, Nando Pinneker, Francis Derees. It'll
be a midfield of the two you're gonna have to
remind me of their names, Piney, the two Europeans.
Speaker 1 (12:24):
Yeah, the two imports. We've got Carligos and Vestrata. The
two other two yep.
Speaker 2 (12:29):
Yeah, it'll be those two. They're in kind of a
six roll just sitting in front of them will be
or rather to the side of them will be Liam
Gillian and Logan Rogerson, so kind of a four to four,
and then in front of front of them will be
Jake Brimmer and then Gmo Make and.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
The up the top. Okay, so nada Moreno, we don't
expect them to be in the squad. The Colombian winger.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
No confirmed that with with Steve Croker, he said he's
not quite ready. He only just kind of arrived a
week or so ago and he still has a couple
of niggles, I believe. So no, not in the squad,
which I think is probably a good call. They clearly
had an alright thing going in pre season, and why
change that right before your first week?
Speaker 1 (13:17):
A couple of questions then about that team. So no,
Cam Howison, which you and I have talked about a
lot on the podcast, I think I think Carlie Oss.
I think he might be Chilean actually, and for Starte,
who is Belgian, I think they play, which is a
little bit unfortunate for Cam Howison because he probably plays
in a similar position but probably misses out. If you're
looking for those two white plays, you've gone Gillian and Rogerson,
(13:39):
So what about Champness and Jesse Randall and also Max Marta.
Does Max Marta kind of have to buite his time
behind youumo my up top?
Speaker 2 (13:47):
Yeah, I think that's exactly the case. The only probably
question there is Liam Gillian does he start? There's also
the likes of Randallers as well that could come in
there another young player, But I think Liam Gillian has
been really impressive. He's been impressive at a national league
level with Auckland City over the last couple of years,
(14:08):
and from what I've seen in pre season, he's been
pretty stand out. And I'm not Internet sleuth, but I
did did see the happy Birthday post that Auckland FC
posted today and they said you can see Liam in
action live on Saturday. So I'm like, if that's not
a tap, I don't know what is.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
Maybe you're reading a bit too much into it, but
I don't mind it. I don't mind it, Okay. I mean, look,
if it is that, then there's some good players to
come off the bench. Champness, we know what a spark
plug he can be. We know Jesse Randall has done
very well at domestic level. Can he make the step up.
Even at the back you've got Devres and Hiroki Suckle,
which I totally agrees the way I'll go. That has
(14:50):
Callan Elliott and Scott Galloway on the bench. Tommy Smith
one of the vice captains probably not going to start.
So yeah, there's that they have done a terrific job,
Auckland FC of building a squad with depth and all positions.
So yeah, yeah, I'm very much looking forward to seeing
how they go. All right, score prediction.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
Two one AUCKLANDC.
Speaker 1 (15:15):
Yeah, I think they win their first game, Bruce, but
I think are a pretty friendly first up opponent. Without
wanting to put the mockers on them, I think, yeah,
I think Auckland f C should get off to a
winning start. I've got them winning three to one. This
is football and no sooner it's Saturday done and dusted
(15:39):
than we're putting our eyes on Sky Stadium in Wellington.
Isn't it great that every weekend now and we have
two games to look out with New Zealand size, plus
when the women start as well, it'll be it'll be
a football feast for sure. The Phoenix open their season
at home to Western United at four o'clock on Sunday,
As I say, it feels like they've kind of gone
under the radar a little bit by comparison to the
(16:00):
club from up the road. What are your expectations of
Wellington Phoenix, you know, in broad terms this season after
the season they had last year.
Speaker 2 (16:10):
Yeah, they definitely have flown under the radar, as you say, Piney,
but they've definitely done that on purpose. I think they're
just letting Auckland their seas soak up all this noise
and all this attention and just you know, let the
reality hit them on the field, which is probably not
a bad strategy. At the same time, I do wish
or hope the Phoenix could have brought a little bit
(16:31):
more attention to themselves based on that season they had
last last year, which was unbelievable. I hope they can
ride off that success. It will be difficult with a
massive change to the roster, but yeah, I hope they're
competitive and I would love to see them in the
playoffs again.
Speaker 1 (16:51):
It must be HARDA because there's such a long off season.
You know, they had such a big season last year,
but the nature of the A League is a long
off season plus a turnover of squad. Is there actually
any momentum at all to be gained from last season?
I guess what you'd say is there are a lot
of players still in that team who last season they
had to get used to Chief. Ye, it was his
first year as coach. They're a lot further down that
(17:12):
line now. A lot of the players who are still there,
who were there last year, have had a season with
Chief under their belts, and while he said that he
wants to tweak the playing style, it won't all be
new to all of them. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (17:26):
No, you're exactly right. I rate Chief as a coach.
It was his first season last year, which is even
more impressive to consider what he did. As you say,
he'll be building off that momentum, so will the players
that have stuck with him. I really rate him as
a coach and can't see what he can can't wait
to see what he does this season. I've said to
(17:48):
you Piney off the mic that I back him as
the next football fan's coach. That's how much I rate
this guy. So yeah, I'm excited to see what he
can do.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
Well, maybe that's a conversation for another podcast as well.
At the moment, I'm sure he's got his eyes only
on only on Wellington Phoenix. One of the players returning
and a big part of this team is all Whites
and Phoenix right back Tim Payne. I spoke to him
just a couple of hours ago to see how he
was feeling. Eat of the new season.
Speaker 5 (18:11):
Fizzy, I think because the word I'd use to describe it. Yeah,
preseason is always quite long. It's been a little bit
better this year with a few international games that keep
in mind off the regular trainings. So yeah, it's just fizzing.
Can't wait to get started on Sunday.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
New goalkeeper behind you. How hard do you work as
a defensive unit to establish a connection with Josh pretty quickly?
Speaker 5 (18:37):
Yeah, with a lot of work is done on how
we defend. I think it's a collective thing from the
whole eleven players, you know, and Griff's really works us
hard at our roles and responsibilities of when we get
into that box. And I think it was a massive
strength of ours last year, so that shouldn't change and
hopefully we can continually do that this year.
Speaker 1 (18:57):
And you have at times played center back, but is
that an option for you this year with Finn Sermon
going or Are you just a right back now?
Speaker 4 (19:04):
I hope not. No.
Speaker 5 (19:08):
Look, obviously I can and if that's the position that
we find ourselves in, I can do that. But yeah,
I think right back to my position.
Speaker 4 (19:17):
That's right.
Speaker 5 (19:17):
Kennon influenced the team the most.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
There you go, that's Tim Payne back for another crack.
Not keen to play center back there, but obviously a
huge part of this team. Shall I give you my
predicted lineup for Sunday? Yes? Go on, piney okay. So
Josh Ollaway mme is the new goalkeeper obviously, so he
is the number one. Tim Payne at right back. I
think Sam Sutton at left back. Scott Wharton is one
(19:40):
of the center backs that The main question is who
plays in the position that Finn Sermon occupied for basically
all of last season alongside Scott Woarton. I get the
feeling Isaac Hughes might get the first opportunity to do that.
I think Chief will player back for That's just a guess,
but I think that's what he'll do. Alex Rufer in
front of the BA with Paolo Retrae alongside the first
(20:03):
of the Japanese players, Kazuki Nagasawa slightly ahead, and then
we've got Costa barbarusis Hidiki Ashiga, and I actually think
David Ball might might start, even though there's been a
talk about him not really you know, having a big
role to play in the team this year, or as
big a role I wonder with Marko Rojas not there,
(20:24):
whether David Ball slots in. The other possibility is Stefan Kolakowsky.
So that's kind of how I feel like they'll line up.
It's not really, you know, it's it's not a heck
of a lot different from last year, although in other
ways it is a lot different because of the departure
of guys like Zavada, krajev Old and Sermon and Paulsen
and Goal obviously.
Speaker 2 (20:45):
No, it's yeah, definitely a shake up in some key positions,
as you say, in Golf and Sermon. In the midfield.
We saw Alex Ruff play that loan number six for
a lot of a lot of the matches, and he
won't by the sounds of it, this season, so that'll
be a little bit of an adjustment. But yeah, I'm
confident under Chief. He's he's a smart man. I'm sure
(21:07):
he's got a plan.
Speaker 1 (21:07):
Yeah, I'm thinking he has too. All right. Score prediction
for Wellington Phoenix against Western United one all one.
Speaker 3 (21:16):
All.
Speaker 2 (21:17):
I know I'm not being negative, but I just feel
like have they have they ever had like a good
start to the A League campaign.
Speaker 1 (21:24):
Well, that's a good that's a good point. Actually, they
don't often win their opening game. It it happens fairly really,
and I must admit Western United if the Phoenix have
fln under the radar Western United to have and doing
a little bit of reading about them in prep for Sunday,
there's you know, there's not a heck of a lot
out there about Western United. They've got a couple of
new players and John y Luisi is still the boss.
(21:45):
So yeah, Look, I beg the Phoenix to win their
opening game at home. I've got them winning it to nil. Unreal.
Speaker 2 (21:50):
I hope they do. I hope both Auckland FC and
the Phoenix win their three games before they meet.
Speaker 1 (21:58):
Two games, two games yet.
Speaker 2 (21:59):
Two games before they meet in the derby. That would
be unreal ideal scenario for hopefully that game in Wellington
to sell out.
Speaker 1 (22:07):
What I said before, I think the Phoenix's first two
games are friendlier than than Auckland's. I think Auckland with
Brisbane they should be fine. But then Sydney FC come
to Auckland next Sunday. They're one of the you know,
in fact, I think they are the bookie's favorites to
win the whole thing, so you know, and Stevie Coricker
obviously be well up for that, being you know, Sydney
(22:28):
player and coach formerly. So yeah, look, I'm like you.
If we get to round three and both the Phoenix
and Auckland FC have six points from their two games
and go ahead to head in that derby, yeah, set
to be set to be quite the spectacle football for
football Fever, just before we move on from the A League,
we are going to give you our most important player,
(22:50):
Golden Boot winner, Breakout Star and finishing position in the
regular season for both of these two teams. So let's
start with most important player. Who usual most important player
for Auckland f C.
Speaker 2 (23:02):
I've got Alex Paulson, which I don't know, you know
that I rate him as a goalkeeper and I don't
know if that's biased, but I think he kept the
Phoenix in it for much longer than maybe they were
anticipated to be last season, and I just hope he
is just as important for Auckland f C as well.
Speaker 1 (23:19):
I've got Jake Brimmer as my most important player, just
like the way he goes about things, knows a lot
about this league, drives the team through words and actions.
Vice Captain c We heard him before, So Jake Brimmer
for me. For Wellington Phoenix, my most important player is
Alex Rufer. I think he had a terrific season last campaign,
has grown into the role of captain, is now starting
(23:42):
regularly for the All Whites, and with players having departed
in positions around him, I feel like Rufe is going
to be the most important for the Phoenix.
Speaker 2 (23:51):
Yeah. I also picked Alex Ruth for the exact same
reasons Piney and also josh Oliwami and goal again for
the same reason that I picked Alex Paulson for AFC.
The goalkeeper kept the Phoenix in it a lot last year,
and I think they're going to rely on their keeper
a lot again this season.
Speaker 1 (24:11):
Golden Boot for Auckland FC. GMO my I've got him
as well. Yeah, well, sure, well he is. He's going
to get the chance to start at center ford, isn't
he so, so I guess he gets first crack at it.
I've got Gmo my as well, so interested to see
how he shapes up. As we've said a lot of times,
you really don't know from important players until they've played
(24:32):
four or five games whether they're any good or not,
or whether they you know, I'm sure he's a good player,
but whether he suits the A league, does he fit
him with his new teammates, does he mesh well with
those around him? All that stuff. Look, I hobe Hobey
scores a handful of goals. I'm sure we both do.
But yeah, Gmo MI for me. What about for the Phoenix?
Speaker 2 (24:50):
For the Phoenix, I've got Stephen Colo Costs. How you saying?
Speaker 1 (24:56):
That's how you say? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (24:58):
That guy? I think Chief. He is pretty confident in
bringing him in and thinks he'll be one of the
best players in the league. So I'm back in Chief.
Speaker 1 (25:06):
Okay, I've got Costa barbarusis to be Golden Boot again again.
Going off last season's form where he had a terrific
season in front of goal, I'm backing him to continue
along that line. It feels like like cost has just
got a new lease on life at the sort of
the you know, the back end of his career. He's
back in the All Whites, a lot of goals last season,
targeting the World Cup. Yeah, I think he's going to
(25:28):
be very influential. And let's not forget it turned down.
The opportunity to move to Auckland was off at a
contract at Auckland f C. Turned it down. So yeah,
so I think Costa for me will be the main
source of goals for Wellington. All right, breakout star for
Auckland f C.
Speaker 2 (25:46):
Auckland f C. I've picked Liam Gillian. I've mentioned him
a couple of times on this podcast. Yeah, he impresses
me heaps and I think he's going to be a
staf for Auckland f C, hopefully this season but if not,
definitely next season.
Speaker 1 (26:00):
I've got Liam Gillian as well, but I wanted to
mention Francis Devrees and it's not necessarily a breakout star
as such. He's never played in the A League, has
been around football in this country and overseason and the
All Whites, but I just get the feeling he has
something a bit special in his locker, in a left
back spot where he could get up and down quite
(26:20):
a bit. So yeah, I agree with Liam Gillian, but
i think Francis Devrees. I'm looking for a big season
from him as well.
Speaker 3 (26:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
Well, I actually was going to almost put Francis Devrees
as my golden boot for Auckland FC. I hear me out.
I just think he's he can get up the field,
as you say, and he's got such a good boot
on him. He's so good from a dead ball, so yeah,
and back post runs and things like that. So yeah,
I rate him as well as a player. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (26:46):
Well, if he's on penalties as well, he could be
on penalties true, so there's another Yeah, I mean it
would be I think I think if your left back
as your golden boot, then perhaps there's perhaps there's some
thinking to do further forward. But I like the way
you're thinking. All right, breakout, breakout staff for Wellington Phoenix.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
I've got Oscar van Hattam and I can't remember if
you just put him in your starting.
Speaker 1 (27:07):
Lineup, didn't you know? I didn't.
Speaker 2 (27:08):
No, Yeah, So I picked Oscar just based on the
fact that I really was enjoying his stylo play towards
the end of the season last year for the Phoenix,
and I think, without being old there, he's really got
an opportunity to kind of step up and be that
next young player that everyone's talking about. I think he's
a smart player, and he came off the bench and
(27:30):
knew his responsibility and had his energy about him. So yeah,
looking forward to seeing what he does with the Knicks.
Speaker 1 (27:36):
I've gone with Luke brook Smith, who is a scholarship
player in the same area of the park as Oscar
van HadAM, one of a number of young players along
with Gabrielle Sloan Rodriguez, Luke superk Oscar van Hadham himself
of course, who will look to provide the impact. I've
just seen a couple of bits from Luke brook Smith
in pre season games that have really impressed me. With
(27:57):
his energy, his courage and the fact that he does
and look faced by anything. I think he might be
a guy to keep an eye on. Luke brook Smith
as my potential breakout star for the Phoenix. All Right,
regular season finishing position for Auckland FC, number five, I've
got I've got them sixth, so we've both got them
(28:19):
in the top six. Wellington Phoenix UH ninth eighth, eighth
outside the playoffs. Sorry, Piney, I've got them fifth.
Speaker 2 (28:30):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (28:31):
Interesting? Yeah, Yeah, look, I I mean, and we can
go back a year and everybody had the Phoenix in
the in the bottom two. I think this is this
is arguably I think it's as good as squad as
last season, you know, on the on paper anyway, Again,
again it will depend on the imports, largely on a
(28:51):
Siga and Nagasawa, how they go. Where the Costa can
you know, recreate his form, where the Josh Ella Wemy
is good in goal, all that sort of stuff. But yeah,
I think they're both top six sides. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (29:02):
Well I would rather be proved wrong than prove right, Piney,
So I'm hoping they get up there and we see
a repeat of last year.
Speaker 1 (29:09):
All right. So I've written down eighth for you, yeah,
in fifth for me, and I've got Auckland FC sixth
and you've got them fifth. Yeah, all right, we'll see
how we go. We can always revisit mid season, and
in fact, we probably should make an appointment mid season
to revisit our predictions and see see how they're going.
Other games and a League Men's Round one all starts
(29:31):
tomorrow night, Friday night. Repeat of last year's Grand Final
Mariners victory nine thirty five. Then Auckland FC Brisbane five
o'clock Saturday, the Jets against Melbourne City seven o'clock Saturday,
and the third of a triple header is the Sydney
Derby Western Sydney against Sydney FC nine thirty on Saturday night.
One matter and Douglas Costa making their A League men's
debuts for the Wanderers and Sydney FC respectively. What a
(29:54):
battle that promises to be Phoenix Western United four o'clock
on Sunday and MacArthur against Perth at six o'clock Sunday
to wrap round one football fever right other matters to
cover off all whites. A three nil went over Tahiti
in their first World Cup qualifier, a four nil win
over Malaysia in a friendly at Albany the other night.
(30:15):
What did you make of their performances in totality across
those two games.
Speaker 2 (30:20):
Yeah, it was good. I think the game against Malaysia
in particular was a good start. They were very attacking,
had a lot of opportunities on goal. I just rate
Eli just so much. I think he's going to be
so key in this next cycle for New Zealand building
towards the World Cup. But as a whole. I think
New Zealand do have quite a long way to go
(30:44):
in terms of being competitive come twenty twenty six at
the World Cup. They're going to need to be far
more clinical in front of goal.
Speaker 1 (30:51):
Yeah, I think Tahiti they just sat, didn't they They
had such a low block on what was by all
accounts a dreadful pitch over there. But you know, you've
you've got a factor these things in when you're play
in the islands. Not that they'll have to any more
obviously with the remaining qualifiers, but I just think, you know,
Tahiti SATs so deep that you know, it took a while,
and I think it was probably quite a good thing that,
(31:13):
you know, New Zealand scored in an early goal, Otherwise
it might have got a bit desperate in the second
half if it had still been nil all. And look,
though I don't think there's any doubt that they'll qualify
comfortably out of Oceania for the World Cup. Then it's
a matter of getting good games in the windows between
that qualification, which will be sort of early next year
(31:34):
and through to the World Cup in twenty twenty six.
They must have games against quality sides, so that they
can get used to playing against a much better grade opposition.
Speaker 2 (31:44):
Yeah, exactly right. I think we've almost found the right balance.
I didn't like how the All Whites were constantly constantly
playing you know, top ranked sides, even sides within the
top twenty, and I just think that's too much of
an ask for this New Zealand side when they're trying
to build and they're trying to get minutes and still
trying to find their starting eleven and things like that.
(32:06):
But I feel like Malaysia might be too much of
a gap down. It's a hard ask, you know, like
these New Zealand football are trying to find available teams
and teams that want to travel to New Zealand, or
where's it going to be cheap for us to travel
to and things like that, But playing a team similarly
ranked to us will be ideal when it comes to
building towards twenty twenty six.
Speaker 1 (32:27):
Yeah. And the other thing is you can't just order
a team, can you. You can't just look down the
FIFA rankings, Zako, let's have a game against these guys.
You know, it doesn't work that way. There's a lot
of planning and stuff that goes into it, and you're right,
the balance does need to be struck between you know,
playing teams. Although they did well against the United States,
but if you're playing teams in the top twenty all
the time, then it's likely that you'll have few confidence
(32:48):
builders in that time. It's a lot harder. But on
the other side of the coin, if you want to
win games at a World Cup, you are going to
have to beat teams like that. So yeah, it's a
fine balance to strike. What is most important is that
they have games. You know, I think that's just utterly
crucial that they have games because beyond November. They played
Vanawatu on the fifteenth November in Hamilton, then Somemore at
(33:11):
Mount Smart on Monday the eighteenth, Then it's forward to
the Semis in the final of the World Cup qualifiers,
which is sort of February March of next year, and
then beyond that there's that there's a program to be built,
and hopefully what is happening at the moment is that
piece that that that that program is being built. Now
that you know that that we're looking ahead and saying, right,
these guys need games. If not in every window, then
(33:33):
a lot of the windows between then and the World
Cup in twenty.
Speaker 2 (33:36):
Six Yeah, surely, and I would expect them to be
playing in almost every window, if not every window that
the football fans did as they built towards their home
World Cup, and they did again as well building towards
the other pinnacle event being the Olympics. So I see
the same for the All Whites, especially now that their
ticket to the World Cup is all but guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (33:57):
All right, So that is that is on the all watch.
Just before we move off our national teams. You wrote
a terrific piece in the New Zealand Herald these last
couple of days, which is featured online and in the
paper about Yipka Klimkova's reign as football Ferns coach. People
can read it at enzidherld dot cot ont enz or
buy the paper. I think it's in today's paper Thursday's
(34:18):
paper and read it just in broad brushstrokes. What's the
summary of what you wrote?
Speaker 2 (34:25):
Yeah, so Elevin players came forward and spoke to me
anonymously just about their experiences and the team over the
last couple of years playing under Gittka, and the main
kind of consensus was from the players that spoke to
me was that Yika was quite experienced as a coach.
There was it was exhausting. Players were having to lead meetings,
(34:47):
and they went through a lot of emotional turmoil and
they would be, you know, in a training session, and
a training session would break down and yet Cara reportedly
wouldn't know how to deal with it and things like that.
They also struggled a lot at the World Cup and
felt that was a missed opportunity in terms of the
success that they could have had at a home tournament,
(35:11):
particularly around that Switzerland game, and a note that got
passed around with a real lack of direction from the
coaching staff. So yeah, definitely it's probably one to go
and read it. So there's a lot there, but yeah,
it was I think the main thing I took away
is that you know, we can sit here and be
pundits on football and call out players for performances and
(35:32):
things like that, but you don't really know what's going
on behind the scenes and these national teams, so really
good insight.
Speaker 1 (35:40):
Indeed. Okay, I have a read of that indied Herald
dot cot On in z Or in today's paper Football Fever.
Just a couple of things to tick off Keep's overseas.
Not too many men playing in this international window, because
well because it was an international window, not too many
men playing for their clubs. Although Kyle Adams captain Louisville
City to the USL Players Shield for the best record
(36:01):
in the regular season of the USL, which is the
one below the MLS across the Eastern and Western conferences.
They won the Player Shield a couple more regular season
games before the playoffs. Speaking of Louisville, their women's team
has Millie Clegg Plague for the yet or not.
Speaker 2 (36:16):
No, Millie clig Clik has not had her debut yet,
which is a real shame. But I mean the team
is a good team and they're currently in their final
push for the NWSL playoff spot. So I don't see
the coach kind of playing around with rosters and giving
people minutes, you know, just Willie Nali. So no, she's
(36:37):
still waiting for a spot as they are trying to
make their day. Oh their you know, the playoff spot.
Speaker 1 (36:44):
Okay. And in New Zealand under seventeen women at the
World Cup in the Dominican Republic. They had their first
game this morning, a four one defeat by Nigeria, they
played the Dominican Republic and Ecuador. Are we expecting what
are we expecting from this team? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (36:59):
I think it's hard. We saw the under twenties really
struggle at the World Cup. Obviously, we know the struggle
that the football Ferns have hard for them as well.
There's a good bunch of young players and you know,
quite a few playing for the Phoenix or scholarship players
at least, so that's really promising. They lost for one
to Nigeria this morning. Not ideal, but yeah, it's a
(37:21):
tough ask. It's hard to know in these age groups.
But hopefully we see some stars come out of it
and you know, push on to the senior women's team.
Speaker 1 (37:30):
Let's hope. So all right, and we've run out of
time for national league. But it's round four this weekend
of both the women's and men's national leagues, so plenty
of football to keep your eyes on domestically, but all
eyes I think on Saturday eight on go Media Mount
Smart Stadium for Auckland f C's opening game, and then
Sky Stadium Sunday for the opener for Wellington Phoenix in
this A League men's season. Enjoy the next couple of days, Bonnie,
(37:53):
We'll see you at Mount Smart On Saturday afternoon.
Speaker 2 (37:56):
Go to one party, looking forward to it.
Speaker 1 (37:58):
The f F with Piny and Bonny
Football Fever with News Talks MB's voice of Football Jason
Paine and Bonnie Jensen. Hello and welcome into Football Fever
with FIFA Plus stream New Zealand football live and free
on FIFA plus dot com. I'm Jason Pine Bonnie Jensen
here as well. We are nearly there, Bonnie, it is
almost time for us to start watching some A League football.
(00:24):
How are you feeling?
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Two sleeps?
Speaker 1 (00:25):
Piney.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
I just can't believe it. I'm you know, we've had
a lot of football in the break, but nothing like
the A League. Nothing beats it. And I'm super excited
that we've now got two teams to talk about.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
All right, well, let's talk about those two teams, starting
with the Auckland FC. Their first ever game in the
A League men's competition is against Brisbane raw Go Media
Mount Smart Stadium, five o'clock on Saturday. You live in Auckland.
What sort of buzz is there around about this team?
Speaker 2 (00:51):
I feel like it's huge. They've been They've gone hard
on the launch, There's no doubt about it. They've gone
hard on the rivalry. They're really starting to ramp it
up this week. You get the sense going out to
the team you know, they're really excited and so are
the community. Speaking when Becker their CEO, they're confident they're
going to sell out the game, which is which is huge.
(01:12):
You know, we talked about it a lot, but selling
out a league game in the round robin kind of
sets teams up for success financially anyway. So yeah, huge,
huge buzz. They've been given away free shirts on the
street and yeah, just really excited, you know, bring on Saturday.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
Yeah, you have to admire and applaud their marketing push,
even from down here in Wellington. Obviously I'm not in
and around the streets of Auckland where a lot of
this activation is happening. But their social media stuff has
been very good. They've yeah, they they've really built a
sense of excitement and you look, I can't wait to
be there at Mount Smart on Saturday for the opening game.
(01:49):
A full house there.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
What is that?
Speaker 1 (01:51):
Twenty three twenty five.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Yeah, we were trying to work this out before. I
think probably more like twenty five, twenty six, twenty seven.
I feel like Mount Smart holds up to thirty I'm
not quite sure, but yeah, around that I'm understanding. They've
now hit twenty thousand tickets.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Sold amazing, amazing. The forecast is pretty good for Saturday.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Yeah, it looks overcast. I mean, it's too hard to tell.
In Auckland it's four seasons in one day. But right
now it's looking overcast, which in my opinion, it's perfect
football conditions.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
As long as it's not windy. And it doesn't get
that windy in Auckland compared to Wellington, does it. At
the times I've been to Mount Smart albeit they've been
fairly rare, there hasn't been even if there has been
a breeze, it doesn't seem to affect things. As you say,
good footballing where the five o'clock is a good time.
You know, the days are getting a little bit longer now,
but I guess by the time the game finishes the
(02:43):
lights will be in effect. Yes, so much hype around
this game, celebrities and attendance. What are you hearing as
far as who's coming? Have you heard any whispers about
who might be in the and the corporate box or
the corporate areas where I presume you'll also be on
behalf of Football Fever? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (03:02):
No, definitely hearing obviously. Will Ali Williams and Anna Mobra
will Will no doubt be there supporting their new team.
Tim Brown. I'm not sure about Steven Adams, he's obviously
come on board, but hearing also Bill Foley, the owner,
he'll be there and as well as the Prime Minister,
so I think it's I think it's going to be
(03:23):
a pretty big deal. The other news is that we're
hearing that the Go Media Stadium have finally got their
second screen up and for anyone that's been to a
Warriors game will know that's that's huge. So there'll be
other ways to view the match and view the highlights
and the replays and things like that. So yeah, it's
shaping up to know what is going to be an
(03:45):
exciting match. I just hope there's lots of goals, you know,
for the fans. And I know that the port fans
are coming in strong from the Tylers Street Sports Spa
down in Britamark. They're going to be catching the train
and doing a big march, and it's it's just all.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
Go, how good, how good? You know, just so exciting,
you know. I get the feeling. Allie Williams will have
sent out a few messages. He'd have a pretty good
contact book of former All Blacks, some of those some
of those players. He won the World Cup within twenty eleven.
I mean, what chance Dan Carter turns up? For example,
ihod to whisper that Dan Carter might be at the game.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Bonny, imagine, imagine that it'll be epic. No, I hope
people get up for this. And you know, again, I
don't think people realize, like, you know, unless you're a
major football fan, how big this will be. We had
obviously the fief Woman's World Cup last year, which was
a huge moment in football. But I really hope this
is the start of something new. And obviously the hype
(04:40):
comes this weekend but continues on and at the same
time continues on for the Phoenix because we can't forget
what they have done for the A League and for
football in New Zealand. And Yeah, I hope the excitement
spreads across both both teams.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
Yeah, I feel like the Phoenix have flown very much
under the radar at the start of the season, probably
becausearticularly in the last week or so, Auckland FC have
just been everywhere. And that's great, you know, and you know,
the Phoenix are what they are. They're very comfortable with
where they are, had a terrific season last season. They're
ready to go against Western United on Sunday, also a
home game. They've got a reasonably friendly first couple of
(05:16):
games against against Western United then away at Perth Glory,
two games which are very winnable for them before the
first derby. I mean, you can only imagine what that
first derby's going to be like in the build up
to that. But yeah, let's go back to Auckland. They
have named their leadership group. Hiroki Sakai will lead the team.
He is the captain, the inaugural captain of this football club.
His vice captains Tommy Smith and Jake Brimmer. Any surprise
(05:40):
when those three names were the ones that were read out.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Not really, I mean where we've discussed this, Piney, but
obviously that their language barrier with Hiroki was one question mark.
But as you know, we'll catch up with them soon.
But as he mentioned, you know, he hopes to express
his leadership through his playing style and football is a language,
so no doubt he'll be able to lead this team
(06:05):
with good confidence. And Steve Corker told me he actually
just pretends he doesn't speak that very good English to media,
but in the dressing room he's he's full noise. One
of those I was like, yeah, maybe. I was like,
maybe they've done this as like a plan, as a tactic,
so that we don't ask the hard hitting questions and
pre match press conferences.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
Well it's here some of Hiroki Saka. You spoke to
him shortly after it was announced that he would be
the captain of the side, and you asked him how
it feels to be the man chosen to wear the
armband in the club's inaugural season.
Speaker 3 (06:37):
Yeah, of course, I'm so happy and I'm very honored
the fast of captain.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
Yeah did you expect it?
Speaker 3 (06:46):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (06:48):
Yeah, fifty to fifty.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
How did you react when they told you?
Speaker 3 (06:54):
Honestly, I'm so surprised because I'm I'm Japanese, so I'm
not Secureey Pray has so but coach they said like this,
So I respect to coach and they respect coaching stuff
as well. So I do ye as the captain's Hannah person.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
What's your leadership style? How do you like to be
a leader? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (07:19):
I said, My English is not rentes, so I just
show them, you know, the performance. My performance is most important,
I think, so I show them on the pitch for
young prayers. I don't know. It's support as well. And
also I have a two big great base captain, so
(07:40):
maybe they support to support me and they can't help
me as well.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
I think he lands on a really good point there.
It's just performances. That's how he leads. I think his
English is okay, Yeah, what you're saying. I think he's
whether he's foxing. I don't know you was you were
facing him, Whether he's foxing and pretending he's not as good,
But I think he's pretty good. But he'll get out
there and lead by his actions.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
Yeah, absolutely, And I love what he said. He's got
two big, great players underneath him and Tommy Smith and
Jake Brimmer, so yeah, no, it's a good selection.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
I think so. And also it's a guy who's going
to play every week. You know, he is an undoubted,
rusted on starter in this team, will play every week
at presumably right back to start with. He may at
times turn up in the center of defense. You know,
huge footballing pedigree, highly respected I'm sure amongst the playing
group for what he's done. And I would imagine inside
(08:33):
that playing group he has tremendous influence, even though English
isn't his first language. I don't know. I just having
not even met the guy, and you might be able
to speak to this. It just feels like he's got
and this is the wrong word for it because it's
a New Zealand word, it feels like he's got mana.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
Yeah, absolutely, Piney, I completely agree. In speaking to him.
I've been lucky enough to speak with him a few
times now. I actually got to go up to lunch
with him at a Japanese restaurant here at one point.
He feels really proud to be here in New Zealand
and he has a lot of respect for the country.
He's already enrolled his kids in schools. I think they
got to remu Era Primary. I can't don't quote me
(09:12):
on that one, but yeah, he's got As I say,
he's got a huge respect for New Zealand. He's excited
to be here. It is an honor for him. So
really looking forward to it. And just to confirm as
well as Steve Corriker did mention about, you know, Hiroki
can play multiple positions, but right now, as you say,
they see him at the right back position.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
All right, So one of those two vice captains, one
is Tommy Smith, the other is Jake Brimmer. You also
spoke to Jake and asked how he feels about the
extra responsibility handed to him as being vice captain or
one of the two vice captains of the side.
Speaker 4 (09:45):
It's an honor. Like I said before, it's a privilege
to be named vice captain his football club, obviously being
a new team, it's a privilege really that you get
identified to be a captain of the club. And you know,
I wish both Heroki and Tommy all the best, and
you know we're here to help Barroki as well. For me,
there's no reason why not. Everyone could be a leader,
(10:07):
and you know, obviously he wears the armband on the day,
but we're here for him and to help him as
much as possible as well.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
How did Steve ask you and did you expect that?
Speaker 4 (10:16):
Look, I've always identified myself as a leader and someone
that wants to help the younger boys, so I was
sort of I wouldn't say expecting it, but I definitely
knew i'd be a candidate for the job, and it
was just yeah, it was a real honor to be
picked and to be named as vice captain and I
hope that I can, you know, do exactly what he
wants me to do.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
You've spent a bit of time in the A League
and you've been with this team for a while now.
Do you think they're really comes Saturday to compete?
Speaker 4 (10:43):
Yeah, most definitely. I think from day one with Steve
coming in, you know, he's picked players that want to win,
They want to be successful and want to win trophies.
So I think, you know, all the hard work we've
done this preseason is an opportunity for us on Saturday
to just go out there and get the result that
we want.
Speaker 1 (10:59):
Yeah, how do.
Speaker 2 (10:59):
You expect Brisbane to shape up? Is it always kind
of that uncertainty person?
Speaker 4 (11:03):
Yeah, I think it is a very uncertain predicament. I think,
you know, any team you play for a Round one,
everyone's going to be up for it. But we know
we've done the work and come around one that we'll
be ready to get a result.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
That is Jake Brimmer I like him too straight away
having not met him, but I love the fact that
he didn't shy away from the fact that he was
a candidate for the vice captaincy. You know, Key, we's
would have gone, oh, you know, well, I didn't really know.
He's got a bit of Ossie brashness about him.
Speaker 4 (11:30):
I like it.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
Yeah, No, I agree as well. I was going to
say the exact same thing. The way he had that
confidence to go, I was kind of expecting it, you know.
I like that confidence. He mentioned it as well. Steve
Corick has picked winners. You can you can sense that
he wants something out of the season. So yeah, I
like the attitude of Jake Brimmer.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
Okay, So they'll play Brisbane Raw five o'clock Saturday, when
the team sheet arrives an hour or so before, which
is when it normally arrives in the media. Have a
crack at what you reckon. The starting eleven will be.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
Okay, I reckon it'll be Ap and goal Alex Paulsen
and goal Herokei, Dan Hall, Nando Pinneker, Francis Derees. It'll
be a midfield of the two you're gonna have to
remind me of their names, Piney, the two Europeans.
Speaker 1 (12:24):
Yeah, the two imports. We've got Carligos and Vestrata. The
two other two yep.
Speaker 2 (12:29):
Yeah, it'll be those two. They're in kind of a
six roll just sitting in front of them will be
or rather to the side of them will be Liam
Gillian and Logan Rogerson, so kind of a four to four,
and then in front of front of them will be
Jake Brimmer and then Gmo Make and.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
The up the top. Okay, so nada Moreno, we don't
expect them to be in the squad. The Colombian winger.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
No confirmed that with with Steve Croker, he said he's
not quite ready. He only just kind of arrived a
week or so ago and he still has a couple
of niggles, I believe. So no, not in the squad,
which I think is probably a good call. They clearly
had an alright thing going in pre season, and why
change that right before your first week?
Speaker 1 (13:17):
A couple of questions then about that team. So no,
Cam Howison, which you and I have talked about a
lot on the podcast, I think I think Carlie Oss.
I think he might be Chilean actually, and for Starte,
who is Belgian, I think they play, which is a
little bit unfortunate for Cam Howison because he probably plays
in a similar position but probably misses out. If you're
looking for those two white plays, you've gone Gillian and Rogerson,
(13:39):
So what about Champness and Jesse Randall and also Max Marta.
Does Max Marta kind of have to buite his time
behind youumo my up top?
Speaker 2 (13:47):
Yeah, I think that's exactly the case. The only probably
question there is Liam Gillian does he start? There's also
the likes of Randallers as well that could come in
there another young player, But I think Liam Gillian has
been really impressive. He's been impressive at a national league
level with Auckland City over the last couple of years,
(14:08):
and from what I've seen in pre season, he's been
pretty stand out. And I'm not Internet sleuth, but I
did did see the happy Birthday post that Auckland FC
posted today and they said you can see Liam in
action live on Saturday. So I'm like, if that's not
a tap, I don't know what is.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
Maybe you're reading a bit too much into it, but
I don't mind it. I don't mind it, Okay. I mean, look,
if it is that, then there's some good players to
come off the bench. Champness, we know what a spark
plug he can be. We know Jesse Randall has done
very well at domestic level. Can he make the step up.
Even at the back you've got Devres and Hiroki Suckle,
which I totally agrees the way I'll go. That has
(14:50):
Callan Elliott and Scott Galloway on the bench. Tommy Smith
one of the vice captains probably not going to start.
So yeah, there's that they have done a terrific job,
Auckland FC of building a squad with depth and all positions.
So yeah, yeah, I'm very much looking forward to seeing
how they go. All right, score prediction.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
Two one AUCKLANDC.
Speaker 1 (15:15):
Yeah, I think they win their first game, Bruce, but
I think are a pretty friendly first up opponent. Without
wanting to put the mockers on them, I think, yeah,
I think Auckland f C should get off to a
winning start. I've got them winning three to one. This
is football and no sooner it's Saturday done and dusted
(15:39):
than we're putting our eyes on Sky Stadium in Wellington.
Isn't it great that every weekend now and we have
two games to look out with New Zealand size, plus
when the women start as well, it'll be it'll be
a football feast for sure. The Phoenix open their season
at home to Western United at four o'clock on Sunday,
As I say, it feels like they've kind of gone
under the radar a little bit by comparison to the
(16:00):
club from up the road. What are your expectations of
Wellington Phoenix, you know, in broad terms this season after
the season they had last year.
Speaker 2 (16:10):
Yeah, they definitely have flown under the radar, as you say, Piney,
but they've definitely done that on purpose. I think they're
just letting Auckland their seas soak up all this noise
and all this attention and just you know, let the
reality hit them on the field, which is probably not
a bad strategy. At the same time, I do wish
or hope the Phoenix could have brought a little bit
(16:31):
more attention to themselves based on that season they had
last last year, which was unbelievable. I hope they can
ride off that success. It will be difficult with a
massive change to the roster, but yeah, I hope they're
competitive and I would love to see them in the
playoffs again.
Speaker 1 (16:51):
It must be HARDA because there's such a long off season.
You know, they had such a big season last year,
but the nature of the A League is a long
off season plus a turnover of squad. Is there actually
any momentum at all to be gained from last season?
I guess what you'd say is there are a lot
of players still in that team who last season they
had to get used to Chief. Ye, it was his
first year as coach. They're a lot further down that
(17:12):
line now. A lot of the players who are still there,
who were there last year, have had a season with
Chief under their belts, and while he said that he
wants to tweak the playing style, it won't all be
new to all of them. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (17:26):
No, you're exactly right. I rate Chief as a coach.
It was his first season last year, which is even
more impressive to consider what he did. As you say,
he'll be building off that momentum, so will the players
that have stuck with him. I really rate him as
a coach and can't see what he can can't wait
to see what he does this season. I've said to
(17:48):
you Piney off the mic that I back him as
the next football fan's coach. That's how much I rate
this guy. So yeah, I'm excited to see what he
can do.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
Well, maybe that's a conversation for another podcast as well.
At the moment, I'm sure he's got his eyes only
on only on Wellington Phoenix. One of the players returning
and a big part of this team is all Whites
and Phoenix right back Tim Payne. I spoke to him
just a couple of hours ago to see how he
was feeling. Eat of the new season.
Speaker 5 (18:11):
Fizzy, I think because the word I'd use to describe it. Yeah,
preseason is always quite long. It's been a little bit
better this year with a few international games that keep
in mind off the regular trainings. So yeah, it's just fizzing.
Can't wait to get started on Sunday.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
New goalkeeper behind you. How hard do you work as
a defensive unit to establish a connection with Josh pretty quickly?
Speaker 5 (18:37):
Yeah, with a lot of work is done on how
we defend. I think it's a collective thing from the
whole eleven players, you know, and Griff's really works us
hard at our roles and responsibilities of when we get
into that box. And I think it was a massive
strength of ours last year, so that shouldn't change and
hopefully we can continually do that this year.
Speaker 1 (18:57):
And you have at times played center back, but is
that an option for you this year with Finn Sermon
going or Are you just a right back now?
Speaker 4 (19:04):
I hope not. No.
Speaker 5 (19:08):
Look, obviously I can and if that's the position that
we find ourselves in, I can do that. But yeah,
I think right back to my position.
Speaker 4 (19:17):
That's right.
Speaker 5 (19:17):
Kennon influenced the team the most.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
There you go, that's Tim Payne back for another crack.
Not keen to play center back there, but obviously a
huge part of this team. Shall I give you my
predicted lineup for Sunday? Yes? Go on, piney okay. So
Josh Ollaway mme is the new goalkeeper obviously, so he
is the number one. Tim Payne at right back. I
think Sam Sutton at left back. Scott Wharton is one
(19:40):
of the center backs that The main question is who
plays in the position that Finn Sermon occupied for basically
all of last season alongside Scott Woarton. I get the
feeling Isaac Hughes might get the first opportunity to do that.
I think Chief will player back for That's just a guess,
but I think that's what he'll do. Alex Rufer in
front of the BA with Paolo Retrae alongside the first
(20:03):
of the Japanese players, Kazuki Nagasawa slightly ahead, and then
we've got Costa barbarusis Hidiki Ashiga, and I actually think
David Ball might might start, even though there's been a
talk about him not really you know, having a big
role to play in the team this year, or as
big a role I wonder with Marko Rojas not there,
(20:24):
whether David Ball slots in. The other possibility is Stefan Kolakowsky.
So that's kind of how I feel like they'll line up.
It's not really, you know, it's it's not a heck
of a lot different from last year, although in other
ways it is a lot different because of the departure
of guys like Zavada, krajev Old and Sermon and Paulsen
and Goal obviously.
Speaker 2 (20:45):
No, it's yeah, definitely a shake up in some key positions,
as you say, in Golf and Sermon. In the midfield.
We saw Alex Ruff play that loan number six for
a lot of a lot of the matches, and he
won't by the sounds of it, this season, so that'll
be a little bit of an adjustment. But yeah, I'm
confident under Chief. He's he's a smart man. I'm sure
(21:07):
he's got a plan.
Speaker 1 (21:07):
Yeah, I'm thinking he has too. All right. Score prediction
for Wellington Phoenix against Western United one all one.
Speaker 3 (21:16):
All.
Speaker 2 (21:17):
I know I'm not being negative, but I just feel
like have they have they ever had like a good
start to the A League campaign.
Speaker 1 (21:24):
Well, that's a good that's a good point. Actually, they
don't often win their opening game. It it happens fairly really,
and I must admit Western United if the Phoenix have
fln under the radar Western United to have and doing
a little bit of reading about them in prep for Sunday,
there's you know, there's not a heck of a lot
out there about Western United. They've got a couple of
new players and John y Luisi is still the boss.
(21:45):
So yeah, Look, I beg the Phoenix to win their
opening game at home. I've got them winning it to nil. Unreal.
Speaker 2 (21:50):
I hope they do. I hope both Auckland FC and
the Phoenix win their three games before they meet.
Speaker 1 (21:58):
Two games, two games yet.
Speaker 2 (21:59):
Two games before they meet in the derby. That would
be unreal ideal scenario for hopefully that game in Wellington
to sell out.
Speaker 1 (22:07):
What I said before, I think the Phoenix's first two
games are friendlier than than Auckland's. I think Auckland with
Brisbane they should be fine. But then Sydney FC come
to Auckland next Sunday. They're one of the you know,
in fact, I think they are the bookie's favorites to
win the whole thing, so you know, and Stevie Coricker
obviously be well up for that, being you know, Sydney
(22:28):
player and coach formerly. So yeah, look, I'm like you.
If we get to round three and both the Phoenix
and Auckland FC have six points from their two games
and go ahead to head in that derby, yeah, set
to be set to be quite the spectacle football for
football Fever, just before we move on from the A League,
we are going to give you our most important player,
(22:50):
Golden Boot winner, Breakout Star and finishing position in the
regular season for both of these two teams. So let's
start with most important player. Who usual most important player
for Auckland f C.
Speaker 2 (23:02):
I've got Alex Paulson, which I don't know, you know
that I rate him as a goalkeeper and I don't
know if that's biased, but I think he kept the
Phoenix in it for much longer than maybe they were
anticipated to be last season, and I just hope he
is just as important for Auckland f C as well.
Speaker 1 (23:19):
I've got Jake Brimmer as my most important player, just
like the way he goes about things, knows a lot
about this league, drives the team through words and actions.
Vice Captain c We heard him before, So Jake Brimmer
for me. For Wellington Phoenix, my most important player is
Alex Rufer. I think he had a terrific season last campaign,
has grown into the role of captain, is now starting
(23:42):
regularly for the All Whites, and with players having departed
in positions around him, I feel like Rufe is going
to be the most important for the Phoenix.
Speaker 2 (23:51):
Yeah. I also picked Alex Ruth for the exact same
reasons Piney and also josh Oliwami and goal again for
the same reason that I picked Alex Paulson for AFC.
The goalkeeper kept the Phoenix in it a lot last year,
and I think they're going to rely on their keeper
a lot again this season.
Speaker 1 (24:11):
Golden Boot for Auckland FC. GMO my I've got him
as well. Yeah, well, sure, well he is. He's going
to get the chance to start at center ford, isn't
he so, so I guess he gets first crack at it.
I've got Gmo my as well, so interested to see
how he shapes up. As we've said a lot of times,
you really don't know from important players until they've played
(24:32):
four or five games whether they're any good or not,
or whether they you know, I'm sure he's a good player,
but whether he suits the A league, does he fit
him with his new teammates, does he mesh well with
those around him? All that stuff. Look, I hobe Hobey
scores a handful of goals. I'm sure we both do.
But yeah, Gmo MI for me. What about for the Phoenix?
Speaker 2 (24:50):
For the Phoenix, I've got Stephen Colo Costs. How you saying?
Speaker 1 (24:56):
That's how you say? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (24:58):
That guy? I think Chief. He is pretty confident in
bringing him in and thinks he'll be one of the
best players in the league. So I'm back in Chief.
Speaker 1 (25:06):
Okay, I've got Costa barbarusis to be Golden Boot again again.
Going off last season's form where he had a terrific
season in front of goal, I'm backing him to continue
along that line. It feels like like cost has just
got a new lease on life at the sort of
the you know, the back end of his career. He's
back in the All Whites, a lot of goals last season,
targeting the World Cup. Yeah, I think he's going to
(25:28):
be very influential. And let's not forget it turned down.
The opportunity to move to Auckland was off at a
contract at Auckland f C. Turned it down. So yeah,
so I think Costa for me will be the main
source of goals for Wellington. All right, breakout star for
Auckland f C.
Speaker 2 (25:46):
Auckland f C. I've picked Liam Gillian. I've mentioned him
a couple of times on this podcast. Yeah, he impresses
me heaps and I think he's going to be a
staf for Auckland f C, hopefully this season but if not,
definitely next season.
Speaker 1 (26:00):
I've got Liam Gillian as well, but I wanted to
mention Francis Devrees and it's not necessarily a breakout star
as such. He's never played in the A League, has
been around football in this country and overseason and the
All Whites, but I just get the feeling he has
something a bit special in his locker, in a left
back spot where he could get up and down quite
(26:20):
a bit. So yeah, I agree with Liam Gillian, but
i think Francis Devrees. I'm looking for a big season
from him as well.
Speaker 3 (26:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
Well, I actually was going to almost put Francis Devrees
as my golden boot for Auckland FC. I hear me out.
I just think he's he can get up the field,
as you say, and he's got such a good boot
on him. He's so good from a dead ball, so yeah,
and back post runs and things like that. So yeah,
I rate him as well as a player. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (26:46):
Well, if he's on penalties as well, he could be
on penalties true, so there's another Yeah, I mean it
would be I think I think if your left back
as your golden boot, then perhaps there's perhaps there's some
thinking to do further forward. But I like the way
you're thinking. All right, breakout, breakout staff for Wellington Phoenix.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
I've got Oscar van Hattam and I can't remember if
you just put him in your starting.
Speaker 1 (27:07):
Lineup, didn't you know? I didn't.
Speaker 2 (27:08):
No, Yeah, So I picked Oscar just based on the
fact that I really was enjoying his stylo play towards
the end of the season last year for the Phoenix,
and I think, without being old there, he's really got
an opportunity to kind of step up and be that
next young player that everyone's talking about. I think he's
a smart player, and he came off the bench and
(27:30):
knew his responsibility and had his energy about him. So yeah,
looking forward to seeing what he does with the Knicks.
Speaker 1 (27:36):
I've gone with Luke brook Smith, who is a scholarship
player in the same area of the park as Oscar
van HadAM, one of a number of young players along
with Gabrielle Sloan Rodriguez, Luke superk Oscar van Hadham himself
of course, who will look to provide the impact. I've
just seen a couple of bits from Luke brook Smith
in pre season games that have really impressed me. With
(27:57):
his energy, his courage and the fact that he does
and look faced by anything. I think he might be
a guy to keep an eye on. Luke brook Smith
as my potential breakout star for the Phoenix. All Right,
regular season finishing position for Auckland FC, number five, I've
got I've got them sixth, so we've both got them
(28:19):
in the top six. Wellington Phoenix UH ninth eighth, eighth
outside the playoffs. Sorry, Piney, I've got them fifth.
Speaker 2 (28:30):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (28:31):
Interesting? Yeah, Yeah, look, I I mean, and we can
go back a year and everybody had the Phoenix in
the in the bottom two. I think this is this
is arguably I think it's as good as squad as
last season, you know, on the on paper anyway, Again,
again it will depend on the imports, largely on a
(28:51):
Siga and Nagasawa, how they go. Where the Costa can
you know, recreate his form, where the Josh Ella Wemy
is good in goal, all that sort of stuff. But yeah,
I think they're both top six sides. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (29:02):
Well I would rather be proved wrong than prove right, Piney,
So I'm hoping they get up there and we see
a repeat of last year.
Speaker 1 (29:09):
All right. So I've written down eighth for you, yeah,
in fifth for me, and I've got Auckland FC sixth
and you've got them fifth. Yeah, all right, we'll see
how we go. We can always revisit mid season, and
in fact, we probably should make an appointment mid season
to revisit our predictions and see see how they're going.
Other games and a League Men's Round one all starts
(29:31):
tomorrow night, Friday night. Repeat of last year's Grand Final
Mariners victory nine thirty five. Then Auckland FC Brisbane five
o'clock Saturday, the Jets against Melbourne City seven o'clock Saturday,
and the third of a triple header is the Sydney
Derby Western Sydney against Sydney FC nine thirty on Saturday night.
One matter and Douglas Costa making their A League men's
debuts for the Wanderers and Sydney FC respectively. What a
(29:54):
battle that promises to be Phoenix Western United four o'clock
on Sunday and MacArthur against Perth at six o'clock Sunday
to wrap round one football fever right other matters to
cover off all whites. A three nil went over Tahiti
in their first World Cup qualifier, a four nil win
over Malaysia in a friendly at Albany the other night.
(30:15):
What did you make of their performances in totality across
those two games.
Speaker 2 (30:20):
Yeah, it was good. I think the game against Malaysia
in particular was a good start. They were very attacking,
had a lot of opportunities on goal. I just rate
Eli just so much. I think he's going to be
so key in this next cycle for New Zealand building
towards the World Cup. But as a whole. I think
New Zealand do have quite a long way to go
(30:44):
in terms of being competitive come twenty twenty six at
the World Cup. They're going to need to be far
more clinical in front of goal.
Speaker 1 (30:51):
Yeah, I think Tahiti they just sat, didn't they They
had such a low block on what was by all
accounts a dreadful pitch over there. But you know, you've
you've got a factor these things in when you're play
in the islands. Not that they'll have to any more
obviously with the remaining qualifiers, but I just think, you know,
Tahiti SATs so deep that you know, it took a while,
and I think it was probably quite a good thing that,
(31:13):
you know, New Zealand scored in an early goal, Otherwise
it might have got a bit desperate in the second
half if it had still been nil all. And look,
though I don't think there's any doubt that they'll qualify
comfortably out of Oceania for the World Cup. Then it's
a matter of getting good games in the windows between
that qualification, which will be sort of early next year
(31:34):
and through to the World Cup in twenty twenty six.
They must have games against quality sides, so that they
can get used to playing against a much better grade opposition.
Speaker 2 (31:44):
Yeah, exactly right. I think we've almost found the right balance.
I didn't like how the All Whites were constantly constantly
playing you know, top ranked sides, even sides within the
top twenty, and I just think that's too much of
an ask for this New Zealand side when they're trying
to build and they're trying to get minutes and still
trying to find their starting eleven and things like that.
(32:06):
But I feel like Malaysia might be too much of
a gap down. It's a hard ask, you know, like
these New Zealand football are trying to find available teams
and teams that want to travel to New Zealand, or
where's it going to be cheap for us to travel
to and things like that, But playing a team similarly
ranked to us will be ideal when it comes to
building towards twenty twenty six.
Speaker 1 (32:27):
Yeah. And the other thing is you can't just order
a team, can you. You can't just look down the
FIFA rankings, Zako, let's have a game against these guys.
You know, it doesn't work that way. There's a lot
of planning and stuff that goes into it, and you're right,
the balance does need to be struck between you know,
playing teams. Although they did well against the United States,
but if you're playing teams in the top twenty all
the time, then it's likely that you'll have few confidence
(32:48):
builders in that time. It's a lot harder. But on
the other side of the coin, if you want to
win games at a World Cup, you are going to
have to beat teams like that. So yeah, it's a
fine balance to strike. What is most important is that
they have games. You know, I think that's just utterly
crucial that they have games because beyond November. They played
Vanawatu on the fifteenth November in Hamilton, then Somemore at
(33:11):
Mount Smart on Monday the eighteenth, Then it's forward to
the Semis in the final of the World Cup qualifiers,
which is sort of February March of next year, and
then beyond that there's that there's a program to be built,
and hopefully what is happening at the moment is that
piece that that that that program is being built. Now
that you know that that we're looking ahead and saying, right,
these guys need games. If not in every window, then
(33:33):
a lot of the windows between then and the World
Cup in twenty.
Speaker 2 (33:36):
Six Yeah, surely, and I would expect them to be
playing in almost every window, if not every window that
the football fans did as they built towards their home
World Cup, and they did again as well building towards
the other pinnacle event being the Olympics. So I see
the same for the All Whites, especially now that their
ticket to the World Cup is all but guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (33:57):
All right, So that is that is on the all watch.
Just before we move off our national teams. You wrote
a terrific piece in the New Zealand Herald these last
couple of days, which is featured online and in the
paper about Yipka Klimkova's reign as football Ferns coach. People
can read it at enzidherld dot cot ont enz or
buy the paper. I think it's in today's paper Thursday's
(34:18):
paper and read it just in broad brushstrokes. What's the
summary of what you wrote?
Speaker 2 (34:25):
Yeah, so Elevin players came forward and spoke to me
anonymously just about their experiences and the team over the
last couple of years playing under Gittka, and the main
kind of consensus was from the players that spoke to
me was that Yika was quite experienced as a coach.
There was it was exhausting. Players were having to lead meetings,
(34:47):
and they went through a lot of emotional turmoil and
they would be, you know, in a training session, and
a training session would break down and yet Cara reportedly
wouldn't know how to deal with it and things like that.
They also struggled a lot at the World Cup and
felt that was a missed opportunity in terms of the
success that they could have had at a home tournament,
(35:11):
particularly around that Switzerland game, and a note that got
passed around with a real lack of direction from the
coaching staff. So yeah, definitely it's probably one to go
and read it. So there's a lot there, but yeah,
it was I think the main thing I took away
is that you know, we can sit here and be
pundits on football and call out players for performances and
(35:32):
things like that, but you don't really know what's going
on behind the scenes and these national teams, so really
good insight.
Speaker 1 (35:40):
Indeed. Okay, I have a read of that indied Herald
dot cot On in z Or in today's paper Football Fever.
Just a couple of things to tick off Keep's overseas.
Not too many men playing in this international window, because
well because it was an international window, not too many
men playing for their clubs. Although Kyle Adams captain Louisville
City to the USL Players Shield for the best record
(36:01):
in the regular season of the USL, which is the
one below the MLS across the Eastern and Western conferences.
They won the Player Shield a couple more regular season
games before the playoffs. Speaking of Louisville, their women's team
has Millie Clegg Plague for the yet or not.
Speaker 2 (36:16):
No, Millie clig Clik has not had her debut yet,
which is a real shame. But I mean the team
is a good team and they're currently in their final
push for the NWSL playoff spot. So I don't see
the coach kind of playing around with rosters and giving
people minutes, you know, just Willie Nali. So no, she's
(36:37):
still waiting for a spot as they are trying to
make their day. Oh their you know, the playoff spot.
Speaker 1 (36:44):
Okay. And in New Zealand under seventeen women at the
World Cup in the Dominican Republic. They had their first
game this morning, a four one defeat by Nigeria, they
played the Dominican Republic and Ecuador. Are we expecting what
are we expecting from this team? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (36:59):
I think it's hard. We saw the under twenties really
struggle at the World Cup. Obviously, we know the struggle
that the football Ferns have hard for them as well.
There's a good bunch of young players and you know,
quite a few playing for the Phoenix or scholarship players
at least, so that's really promising. They lost for one
to Nigeria this morning. Not ideal, but yeah, it's a
(37:21):
tough ask. It's hard to know in these age groups.
But hopefully we see some stars come out of it
and you know, push on to the senior women's team.
Speaker 1 (37:30):
Let's hope. So all right, and we've run out of
time for national league. But it's round four this weekend
of both the women's and men's national leagues, so plenty
of football to keep your eyes on domestically, but all
eyes I think on Saturday eight on go Media Mount
Smart Stadium for Auckland f C's opening game, and then
Sky Stadium Sunday for the opener for Wellington Phoenix in
this A League men's season. Enjoy the next couple of days, Bonnie,
(37:53):
We'll see you at Mount Smart On Saturday afternoon.
Speaker 2 (37:56):
Go to one party, looking forward to it.
Speaker 1 (37:58):
The f F with Piny and Bonny
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