March 25, 2025 • 32 mins
Piney and Bonnie review New Zealand's 3-0 win over New Caledonia, which secures their passage to the 2026 Fifa World Cup!
Plus, Piney chats to Chris Wood to gauge his reaction to the All Whites' qualification.
Meantime, the Wellington Phoenix women cling on to their playoff hopes, but are running out of time.
And we review the upcoming matches for Auckland FC and the Wellington Phoenix men and women.
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
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
This is Football Fever. Hello and welcome into a fresh
episode of Football Fever as we cover of all things
New Zealand football, the national teams, the Wellington Phoenix and
Auckland FC in the A League and Kiwi's playing overseas.
I'm Jason pine Bonnie Jensen's here too, Hello.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Bonniet Piney. We're through to the World Cup.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
We're going to the World Cup next year and we
want to say we I mean we as a nation, obviously,
we as the All Whites and hopefully a few of
the sporting media as well, including the Football Fever team.
Happy birthday for yesterday, by the way, you celebrated by
watching the All Whites eventually beat New Caledonia. What did
you make of it in general terms?
Speaker 3 (00:42):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Yeah, it was a firstly great, great way to celebrate
my birthday. I was nervous. I think a lot of
a lot of people there in the stands or watching
and listening to you Piney and the commentary. We're nervous
in that first kind of hour of the match. I
was really really improve spaye New Caledonia. And I don't
know if I'm bad in saying this, but I was
(01:04):
kind of cheering for them a little bit. I thought
it was I thought it was awesome the competitive match
that they put on and probably made the game more exciting. Yes,
we would have liked to see a few more goals,
but they really competed with the All Whites and I'm
glad that New Zealand were able to get it done.
I think the most impressive thing for me was the
(01:27):
depth on display from the All Whites.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
Yeah, they changed things up and needed to. Can we
talk about New Caledonia because I too was really impressed
with them, I really was, and I'd watched them play
Tahiti on Friday in Wellington. I thought, you know, they're
a good team. They were clearly better than Tahiti, but
I still thought that might be their final. They might
have played their big game. They knew they were still
(01:50):
even if they were beaten last night. They had the
playoff tournament, so they could have been forgiven for having
played their final in Wellington. But for the first forty
five minutes, yes they were under pressure from New Zealand,
but they repelled everything thrown at them. Can bear that
to Fiji, who led a goal in the sixth minute.
You know, after half an hour, their three nail down
(02:10):
games gone at halftime. I'm not sure if you saw it.
Halftime in the game, New Zealand were walking off and
there were pointed fingers and gesturing and arguments happening. A
team under pressure. New Caledonia were in a huddle solidarity like, guys,
we've done a great job here. I think we have
to give a huge raptor to New Caledonia. They really contributed.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Yeah, we do, and we actually spoke about just before halftime.
You know, imagine this changing room, what that's going to
be like in the New Caledonian changing room at halftime.
I think it made the match what it was. And
what I really liked about them as well is they
could have just gone in part to the bus against
New Zealand, and you know they did that to some extent,
(02:52):
but for the most part they were trying to play
and they actually had a couple of good opportunities. Yes,
they were barely in the attacking, but they were moving
the ball really nicely and that's what I think was impressive.
So you know, on the men's and women's sides, we
see these Oceania nations just park the bus against New Zealand.
It's all they can do, but I don't think they
(03:12):
did that at all last night. And I also want
to give a shout out to the goalkeeper. I thought
he was very impressive and I hope he, you know,
is on an A league radar. I think I don't
know if that's a fast stretch or not, but I
thought he was really good. He was really confident in
there and cause a lot of trouble for New Zealand.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
The tremendously named Rocky nie Kine. Yeah, I thought he
was good to He made a number of impressive saves. Yeah,
like I liked him. I liked New Caledonia. And we
got to just before the hour mark and Chris Wood
goes down, tries to get up, tries to play on, can't.
(03:49):
So here we are nil. All our captain, our leading
goal scorer, our most obvious source of goals has to
come off. Were you starting to think, hey, this is
going to be this is going to be something we
absolutely didn't expect.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Controversial opinion, But I wasn't as probably less nervous when
Chris Wood did come off. I was more optimistic at
this point. I don't think it was necessarily working with
the way New Zealand were trying to play so direct.
You know, I think we play a lot around Chris Wood.
Naturally you would, He's a Premier League goal scorer. Why
(04:26):
wouldn't you. However, we're becoming too predictable and that in
that way, and we've actually got some unbelievable forwards in
Sapret saying Callum Macawa, Eli just and I just feel
like we're trying. We're kind of one sighted, one minded
on Chris Wood. So when he did go down injured,
I was I was gutted for him, and I was
(04:46):
gutted for the team. I was kind of thinking more
about his Premier League run, but I wasn't nervous in
terms of the game last night, and I think as
that showed when the players who did come on, Costa
and Eli and Francis, they did a good job.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
I knew you would be pleased about Francis de Maurie
coming on and coming on at halftime as well and
pushing Libby Cacacci further forward. Look, I think you and
I have got slightly different views on Francis. Look, I'm
a big fan of his as well, but I was
surprised that he was brought on at halftime. However, I
have to say he was terrific. He was really good,
(05:22):
wasn't he.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
It's just the weight of his pass is so spectacular.
And I think we've discussed this on the podcast before,
but Francis has been not back in the past by
coaches for his crossing not being any good, and he's
worked on that and improved. And I really liked that.
Darren Bezi clearly listens to the Football Fever podcast and
(05:44):
had both Francis and Libby on that same side. I
think they've still got to gewl a bit better, and
then that I would like to see them play more
on that side together at international windows because quite a
few times they were both making the same run and
you could see there was a bit of a miscommunication.
But I think, you know, Francis is a better crosser
(06:07):
than Libby and Libby's better at cutting in, so why
not have both at the same time. You could see,
you know, this is a weey way away yet, but
into our month's time, eighteen months time at the World Cup,
you know, Francis is someone that you can bring off
the bench and do a good job. He's done that
in both games now, so a key acid, I think,
whether it's starting or coming off the bench.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
And provided the cross for the opening goal, which was
just on the hour mark. He took the corner, dropped
it on the head of Michael Boxel, who had never
scored a goal in fifty four previous games for New Zealand.
Elder statesman of the side, got up at the far post,
and I think inside the ground the cheer for that
goal was as much relief as it was elation, because
(06:51):
we'd waited an hour and we were all starting to think,
I think, hey, is this not going to go to
script at all? But once Michael Boxill scored that goal,
and then five minutes later cost of Barbarusis, who was
also excellent off the bench, added a second, it felt
from there as though the game was under control. And
then Eli just with the third goal again Francises so
(07:12):
he you ask your subs to make an impact, Francis
to rees absolutely ticking that box.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
Yeah he is. I was sitting just behind that goal
in the in the second half way they scored and
was on the side of Francis, So I did notice
how intelligent that that cutback was. He could have gone
direct into Eli just who was sitting around the penalty spot,
but instead he just cut one back to Costa, who
then got the touchoff. So yeah, very very smart player.
(07:38):
And really happy for Francis because I know he's had
a few setbacks, as we say. But also another shout
out to New Caledonia. I thought even when they went
down one too now, they still kept trying to play
and I'm really excited for them. I don't know who
they'll come up against in the in the playoffs. I
think it won't be decided to November, but yeah, I
don't know what their chances will be back, but good
(08:00):
on them.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
I think they'll have everybody here cheering for them. I
mean we'll be cheering for them right across Oceania and
who knows. So you're right, we don't know who they're
going to play, but it'll be well, it'll be a
team that hasn't qualified automatically, just like they haven't, so
it's not going to be a really really top team probably. Look,
they'll be underdogs, of course they will, but they'll take
huge confidence and inspiration from last night because I, at
(08:21):
the risk of repeating ourselves, they were very good and
and you know, really good participants in that football match
last night. A couple of other shout outs. I want
to give Tyler Binden, the youngest player in the New
Zealand side, could have been the youngest on the pitch
even last night. What a player he could be for
New Zealand, just at his age to be playing with
(08:42):
the composure and just the surety wins his headers, makes
his tackles calm under pressure. Man, what a player he
could be for us.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
Yeah, just you saying that party gives me goosebumps. He's
so young yet so wise. He looks confident out there,
but not arrogant. You know, he actually plays one of
the highest levels across the squad. And another player that
I was really impressed with his you know, his weighted
passes over the top that are just so subtle but
they're kind of perfect. And you and I Piney were
(09:14):
talking just outside the office before about you know, it's
who's going to play alongside Tyler?
Speaker 1 (09:20):
Yeah, that's where we are now. It's not will Tyler
be in the team, it's who partners him at center
back and there's stiff competition in there. I thought Michael
Boxle again last night his goal but also as general
play was exceptional, But then you look at Nando Pinekeert,
naturally left sided and probably had had a pretty good
case to say I should be starting. Then there's Finn Sermon,
(09:42):
who's started the last two games for Portland Timbers, was
purposely not picked for the squad so that he could,
you know, stake his claims at club level in twelve
months time. If he's got a season of MLAs under
his belt, he's knocking on the door. Then there's Tommy Smith,
the closer, the experience head, the man who went to
the World Cup in twenty ten, is a fresh i
faced nineteen year old, and others as well. So but
(10:03):
I think you're right. I think we're now at the
point where it's Tyler Binden plus who because, yeah, without
wanting to pump a young guy's ties up too much,
he could play three or four World Cups, he'll play
in the Premier League, he'll captain New Zealand. I've got
no doubt about it. He's a player.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
Yeah, I'm getting really excited by the likes of Tyler.
But then also you know Alex Paulson, who we didn't
see play in this window, but you know should probably
could be starting for the All Whites at the next
World Cup, and then you've got the likes of Finn Sermon,
as you say, and the prospect of these young players
(10:39):
is huge. Another one Ben Old who's obviously injured right now,
but I can come back and easily kind of pick
a spot. So that again what I mentioned earlier, It
is really pleasing to see the depth in this all
white squad which we haven't had in previous cycles.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
You want to get onto that in the moment what
it means for the squad for next year, because we
are at the point now where good players aren't going
to make the squad. In the past, perhaps it's been like, okay,
well we've got eighteen good players and we'll just add
another five. There are fifty or sixty players on Darren
Baizley's whiteboard in his office, and I spoke to him
(11:13):
earlier on today and I said to him, I reckon,
and this was my personal view. You could probably write
down sixteen of the twenty three Let's say it's twenty three,
it could be twenty six. We're not sure exactly whether
it'll be twenty three man squad or expanded to twenty six.
Either way, good players are going to miss out. But
the most important thing for the players who are in
that bracket, and in fact the ones who are in
(11:34):
the top sixteen, if we want to call it that
as well, they must be playing club minutes. They must
be playing for their club. And there are a bunch
of guys who aren't, who aren't getting good minutes. Ben
Wayne's a good example, hasn't found regular minutes at Mansfield.
Matt Garbett doesn't have a sight to play for at
the moment. Others as well, and Bill Tuweloma is the
(11:56):
cursory tail here. A couple of years ago he was
in the first eleven, played every international. Now he can't
even make the squad because he's not playing. You've got
to be playing.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
Yeah, no, you absolutely do. And we are lucky that
so many, so many of our of our all whites
play beyond the A League now, like no A League
player other than Tim Payne. I think it was started
in this window and we saw obviously costs to come
on and then Logan got some minutes as well. But
(12:29):
that's really exciting. But you do wonder for those players
like Ben Wayne. Matt Garbett is another one. I think
who's not getting minutes. Would it be that bad if
they came back to someone somewhere like Auckland f C,
like the Wellington Phoenix, just to ensure minutes over the
next eighteen months. I'm not sure.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
I think Ben Wayne should look. I know they probably
don't want to. You know, once you're in Europe, I
think there's a reluctance to come back because it looks
you know, and this is not true, but the perception
is that you've failed overseas. Oh he's come. It didn't
work out for him, he wasn't good enough. That's not
the case. Look at a guy like Nando Pineke. He
was kicking around in Europe at various clubs and never
(13:08):
really found the place that was a natural level for him.
I think slugger rovers you know, that's probably below the
A League. Come back play a season in the A League.
You're on TV every week, the national coach is right
there watching you. I mean, the reason Francis Devrez is
in the All White is because he's playing well for
Auckland f C. That is the best example of this.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
Absolutely. Another one is Logan Rogerson who's been overseas and
is coming back and scoring a whole heap of goals
for Auckland f C. I think another mention is Calin
Elliott and no, he's not quite you know, in that
group yet, but he's on the front will be all
White special and he's not starting for Auckland FC, but
he's coming on and performing and getting good minutes. So yeah,
(13:53):
I think if I'm Ben Wayne, or if I'm one
of those those players not getting minutes overseas, I'm wanting
to do everything I can to make that World Cup
next year. It's a once at a lifetime opportunity.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
One hundred percent. You've got to be playing, and you know,
at the risk again of repeating ourselves, if you're not
playing at your club, then you have to find a
way to play, because it doesn't matter who you are
if you don't have match minutes. And I think actually
Matt Garbett had a pretty underwhelming couple of games and
he hasn't been playing, so that's probably not surprising. He's
still going to give you energy and vigor every time
(14:25):
he plays. But without having those regular games, you're just
not used to having the boots on, you're just not
used to being on the grass. So yeah, there's a
few players who probably have to work themselves out over
the next little while. Just before we hear from Chris Wood,
just back to the first two goal scorers. There is
a lot of chat about the younger players in the squad,
and rightly so, they're good players. But Michael Boxel thirty
(14:47):
six years old, Costa barbarusis thirty five years old. The
old heads got the job done. You know. They're the
ones who who in many ways rescued New Zealand from
a tough spot. So there's a lot to be said
for for experience and moments like this. Earlier today I
had the chance to catch up with Chris Wood, who
obviously left the field after an hour last night. Caught
(15:10):
up with Chris to find out the nature of his
injury and also how he felt about helping guide New
Zealand to another World Cup. Well, Chris, would nice to
see you the day after. Let's start with the reason
you went off and how you are. What can what
can you tell us? What what was the injury and
how is it today?
Speaker 3 (15:27):
To be fair, I can't say too much because I
don't know at the moment. I have to go get
it checked out today and get some some scans on
and things like that, but hopefully it's nothing too serious.
Landed awkward awkwardly, I think, and I've just got to
deal with what comes out now.
Speaker 1 (15:42):
So it's your hip. What part of the specific part
of your body is it?
Speaker 3 (15:46):
Yeah, hep and rib. It's just one of those that
just felt a lot of pain and couldn't push off
with it through my leg and once it happens, I
can't run and the best thing is to get off
and let someone else do a job, because I'd be
letting the team down.
Speaker 1 (16:02):
Yeah, what are the emotions at that time? Because I'm
sure you want to stay on right, you want to
guide your team to the to the World Cup. What
are the emotions that go through your head? Is your
battle with that but also with what's best for your
body and for the team.
Speaker 3 (16:13):
Yeah, I think I think you have to think about
the team first. I was doing nobody in any favors.
I couldn't couldn't move, couldn't couldn't defend, and couldn't help
any in for those one or two minutes that I
tried to stay on and things like that. I was
letting the side down just not being able to do
what we needed to do, and especially in a big
game where everybody had to be counted for. So, yeah,
you have to do the right thing. And I think
(16:34):
Base called it very early. He saw it, and I
think it was the right thing to do.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
So describe how it was on the bench before the
first goal. You're sitting there, you can't impact the game anymore,
it's still nil nil. Do you then become a bit
of a fan like like us and get a bit nervous?
Speaker 3 (16:51):
Not not really. I think the long of the games
goes on, probably we've got a bit more nervous. But
I still had a huge belief in our team. We've
done well in the first half, just didn't go in
for us. Second half, we were doing well and started
well and we believed there was always going to be
a goal. We just needed to make sure we weren't
doing anything wrong at the other end, and the defense
was fantastic in that sense. And yeah, and when Box
(17:14):
he put that goal in, I mean when when kind
of felt like, here we go, we're ready to kick
on now. And he's been been a champion of all
ways for a long period of time, so it's special
that he was just scored his first goal on that
big occasion.
Speaker 1 (17:26):
If there was a sweepstake and you could pick, you know,
your your favorite top goal scorer, I think your eyes
would have passed over Michael Boxer, wouldn't they.
Speaker 3 (17:33):
Yeah, potentially with us, with with this history record of it,
but special goals, special moment, special man. So yeah, it's
fantastic for him, and yeah, we're very happy for him.
Speaker 1 (17:44):
And there's a lot of talk about the young players
and this team and rightly so. But then you look
at Costa barbarusis another guy and as mid thirties, he
comes on, you know, in unexpected circumstances, he provides a goal,
So you know there's a there's a bit of this
experience thing, isn't there.
Speaker 3 (17:56):
Yeah, definitely, that's I think that's the good balance we
have between this team and I'm cost it one fantastically
while coming on, especially after the heartbreaker last time and
him being involved and getting sim top and things like that,
I'm sure he desperately wanted to achieve something great and
be a part of history and do something in the
(18:16):
right note. And he done in both games, scoring in
both games in semi final and final to put us
Aside through to the World Cup. It's fantastic, So he's
going to be very proud of himself.
Speaker 1 (18:26):
Do things like this sinking immediately, Chris, or like, do
you sit here You're going to a World Cup next year?
Has that sunken?
Speaker 3 (18:32):
I think it sings in overtime. You get snippets of
it all, and I think it's going to be just
continuous now until the World Cup. Got a lot to
look forward to. When more teams get get qualified. You
see your names with them and you're thinking, oh, could
we be drawn with them? Drawn with them? And then
when December comes around we find out where we're going
to be based and who we're going to be playing.
(18:53):
That's the true excitement.
Speaker 1 (18:54):
Yeah, and regardless of who it is. I know you're
on record as saying we're not just going to make
up the numbers. We're not just the forty eighth team there.
You want to win matches and get out of that group.
Speaker 3 (19:02):
Right, Yeah. I believe. I believe we can. I have
the belief in this team and the team's got more
than enough quality and experience to be able to do something.
And yeah, we want to. We want to do as
well as the two unten team, but even go one better.
It's not going to be easy. It's the world stage
and it's just one of those we have to believe
in and make sure right. That's what we've been working
the last two years.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
That is Chris Wood, who I spoke to earlier today
just before he jets out back to Nottingham. Hopefully the
injury isn't too bad. Yeah, so I hit a rib.
I just think he fell heavily and hopefully that's all
it is, is a bit of bruising and he'll recover, ice
it up and get back out there on.
Speaker 2 (19:38):
Yeah, there's no point trying to push through an injury,
I think in a game like that when you know
you have a dominating possession and yet I mean we
mentioned how good New Caledonia were, but it was always
going the way of New Zealand, wasn't it. So there's
no point pushing through. And I hope you know, to
see him out there for Forest back soon.
Speaker 1 (19:57):
Back soon. Indeed, we hope so as well so for
New Zealand. They punched their ticket to the Football World
Cup twenty twenty six. The drawer is scheduled to be made.
I haven't seen an absolute confirmation of the dates, but
normally for the June tournament, it is in December, so
we will find out in December where New Zealand are
(20:18):
in terms of being being placed in a group, where
they'll be based in the United States, Canada or Mexico,
who they'll be playing against, all that exciting stuff. They've
got games in June in Canada against Courte Deuvoirs, the
Ivory Coast and Ukraine, and also a friendly locked in
for November sorry October against Norway. They'll add another one
to that window. Darren basically said this morning that they're
(20:41):
going to play in all five windows. That's ten games
and they should, right, They've got to have games.
Speaker 2 (20:46):
They absolutely have to, and you know the football firms
did it as well on the lead up to their
World Cup. What I would like to see though, is,
I know it's kind of you know, you pick the
best team to play, but it's not that not that easy.
But the All Whites have typically picked higher ranked teams
to play against, and I think they need to pick
(21:07):
someone more on par with them, just so they're not
having to defend an entire game in these friendlies and
they can actually work on their attacking play because that's
going to be crucial in about eighteen months time.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
Yeap, good point, Absolutely all right. We'll look to see
how the All Whites go. But for now we can
celebrate the fact that in the footsteps of the nineteen
eighty two and twenty ten teams, they are off to
the Football World Cup next year twenty twenty six in
the United States, Canada and Mexico. Let's go to the
A League. I'd almost forgotten what's going on in the
A League. It's been this seems so long since we
(21:39):
talked about the A League. So let's remind ourselves that
Auckland f C are top of the table by four
points from Western United and then another four points back
to the Western Sydney Wanderers. This coming weekend Auckland f
C are away at Brisbane Raw, who were the first
team that Auckland FC faced all the way back in
would that have been October? In their first game two
(22:00):
nil win at home. Brisbane are a little bit down
on their luck, but starting to find a bit of
form Auckland f C. With with these recent draws, the
two all draw against the Central Coast Mariners, the one
all draw against Newcastle that you were at the four
all draw against Adelaide United. I'm not saying they're stumbling
and we perhaps you know, need to remember that they're
(22:22):
still on a nine game unbeaten run. But they'd want
to go to Brisbane and whin wouldn't they?
Speaker 2 (22:26):
Yeah, they definitely do. And you know, look going back
to when they played Perth Glory in Perth and they
lost in Perth Glory were down at the bottom of
the table, still are, but that was a massive wake
up call for them and they learned from that and
they bounce back, So I don't see that happening again. However,
they're obviously better at home than they are away. At
(22:49):
the same time, I feel like they came back after
the last international window quite strong. Obviously there are quite
a few new Zealanders Auckland f C players in the
All Whites quad the last week, but they didn't get
a whole lot of minutes, so there's no reason why,
you know, they can't come back fresh and respond.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
I think some Auckland to see a training this afternoon.
I think the likes of Tommy Smith, Nando Pineker, Jesse Randall,
Alex Paulson who didn't get any minutes, and even Logan
Rogerson who only got on for a few minutes last night.
They might give Francis the afternoon. I've given the fact
he played in both games and played forty five last night.
I think the rest of them back in training this afternoon.
Tommy Smith said that this morning, said I going to
training this afternoon. We've got a game on Sunday, so
(23:32):
and that's the nature of it. The Phoenix boys were
on the eight am flight out of Auckland to get
down to Wellington. I don't know whether they'll train this afternoon.
They might maybe Tim Payne won't, but some of the
others probably will because they've got a game this coming
weekend as well. That's the nature, isn't it. The international
window you come together and then I mean, what about
the guys who have to go all the way back
over to Europe, you know, let alone, you know, just
going down to Wellington from Auckland. Dan hallsfit, Nando Pineker
(23:56):
is now back in contention because he was suspended last time.
Tommy Smith is fit. Do you think it goes Pinaker
and Hall teaming up again.
Speaker 2 (24:04):
Yeah, I think it absolutely has to. We spoke about
it last time. But Tommy Smith is such a closer
and I've been conceding late goals Aukland nef C, which
has been unlike them, So why not go back to
the olden days and bring that back. Also, we'll have
Louis Vastrata back, won't.
Speaker 1 (24:22):
We Yes, Yes, he is back as well, just the
one game suspension for him. I honestly believe he comes
straight back in this time. I know Steve Corriker the
last time he was I think he was suspended for
yellow cart accumulation. Didn't bring him straight back in, but
that was off the back of a couple of wins.
He's had a couple of drawers. I think Louis Vastrada
needs to come back straight back into the starting side.
Be very surprised if he doesn't.
Speaker 3 (24:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (24:43):
I think the midfield's been kind of letting them down
a little bit in the last few weeks and potentially
an overhaul of that. So bring Vistrata and maybe someone
like Cam Howison who we haven't seen a lot of.
Give maybe Jake Brimmer and Gaogos a bit of a break.
So it will be interesting to see what happens. Max
Mutter is another one who hasn't been fit the last
(25:04):
couple of games, so it'd be interesting to see where
he is. I think there's a media opportunity later this week,
so we'll see who's in who's out.
Speaker 1 (25:12):
We will indeed, and as far as the Wellington fotas
are concerned, they play Saturday, so Aukland f C are
away on Sunday evening. We'll get the exact kickoff time
for you so you're not missing at seven o'clock Sunday
evening New Zealand time. Auckland f C away at Brisbane
Raw on Saturday at five o'clock at Sky Stadium in Wellington.
It's the Phoenix welcoming the Western Sydney Wanderers who are
(25:35):
in a very good vein of form, up to third
on the table and coming in off the back of
back to back four goal wins four to two over
Melbourne Victory for one over Perth Glory and in fact
four nil over the Central Coast Mariners, so three straight
victories during which they've scored four goals. The return to
Wellington of Bojidar Krajev as well, who I see played
(25:57):
for Bulgaria during this latest window. Phoenix up against it
can't make the six now but they got they got
the confidence from that one all draw against Sydney FC
just before the window. LB Kelly healed, I see it
out for the season now, so Josh Olaway Emmy will
be keeper for the rest of this season. Look, I
(26:18):
don't think the Phoenix are favorites. I think Western Sydney
Wonder is a favorites. But at home off the back
of that confidence Booster rig and Sidney FC quite curious
to see how they go.
Speaker 2 (26:28):
Yeah, I think so it's all just about ending the
season on a high, isn't it. In for Chief, he
probably seeing seeing more minutes of these younger players, so
real gutted for for alb And I think he's been great,
a great addition to the Phoenix since getting those starting minutes.
But yeah, it's going to be tough for the Phoenix.
(26:49):
It's going to be a tough a tough run for
them now to the end of the season.
Speaker 1 (26:52):
Yeah, well, let's hope we can see, you know, some
of the attacking combinations that Chief he's after with Marco
Rojaus she go you old as a shiga barbarusis you
know a sprinkling of Luke Brooksmith and Nathan Walker in there.
You know, they can really play a little bit unencumbered,
can't they. They don't really have to, you know, worry
about table position anymore. They're not They're not going to
(27:15):
make the six. I think, you know, Adelaide are currently
sixed on thirty three points. The Phoenix, having played the
same number of games, are on twenty. You're not going
to make up thirteen points in six games, especially the
way the Phoenix have been tracking. So play with a
little bit of freedom and throwing caution to the wind
a little bit and have all we crack.
Speaker 2 (27:34):
Yeah, the pressure is off one hundred percent, And I
think that's maybe they've felt so much pressure this season,
which has been quite ashamed of them. Obviously, coming off
the back of last season they had an excellent run,
they potentially you know, favorites coming in to qualify top six.
Then they obviously had their big brother or big little brother,
(27:56):
Auckland nef C come in as well. So I feel
like they have been in a bit of a pressure
cooker the Phoenix and Chief's probably felt that the younger
players who have had to come in and replace the
likes of Fin Sermon, Ben Old, they've probably felt that
as well. So hopefully they can just play with a
bit of freedom, you know, nothing to lose type attitude.
(28:17):
It's to be nice to see them be competitive, but
maybe they'll be able to do that more now, as
I say, with the pressure off.
Speaker 1 (28:23):
Okay, So five o'clock Saturday afternoon for that one Sunday
it's the Wellington Phoenix Women. So we've got all three
in action across the weekend as per usual, but at
quite friendly times. Now. The Wellington Phoenix Women missed a
big opportunity to take a step towards the socks the
top six by losing two nil to the Central Coast
Mariners at home last Saturday. What that does in terms
(28:45):
of their table position, they are still eighth on the table.
They're still only two points outside the top six, but
Brisbane raw I have a game in hand over them.
If they were to win that game in hand, then
the Phoenix would be five five points outside the top six.
With only three games to go, they're kind of running
out of opportunities and this weekend they welcome Melbourne City.
(29:09):
The table top is Marie Anna Spekmayer returns to Pottydoor Park.
It'll take a massive effort from Paul Temple's team to
get anything out of this game, you would imagine Melbourne
City nineteen games, twelve wins, seven draws, haven't lost a
game yet, Bonnie.
Speaker 2 (29:25):
Yeah, the Wellington Phoenix have a really tough ask and
it's going to be a matter of relying on other results,
which you just can't do this late in the competition.
I think missed opportunity is you said Pioneer. We spoke
last week how it was going to be a must
win for them against the Central Coast. They dominated or
you know, had them the most share of possession, more
(29:46):
shots on goal, and they kind of flopped. And you know,
I think going for the Phoenix need to work out
how they're they're just as good in the second half
of the season. It's been two season in a row.
This is how and it's not good enough.
Speaker 1 (30:01):
Yeah, And you know, we've talked about it a lot,
and I think we tried to be optimistic that they
would that they wouldn't. But we're at the situation, in
the situation now where they have fewer points now than
they had the same stage last season, and they didn't
qualify last season. They really have to win two of
the next three games and probably get something out of
the third one. So they've got Melbourne City table toppers
first up. Then it's Canberra who are a point above
(30:24):
them on the table and also pushing to make the
top six, and Western United who are currently fourth and
have had a pretty good season themselves. So it's going
to take something pretty special from Paul Temple's team to
push towards the top six. It just feels to me
as though they're just going to fall ever so slightly
short again.
Speaker 2 (30:41):
Yeah, exactly, And I don't know what it is, you know,
whether it is the travel for the Phoenix Women as
I mentioned, you know, it is a part time team,
a lot of that, most of these players are working
other jobs and it's probably you know, they're probably in
the hardest position traveling from Wellington over across the ditch.
(31:02):
So I'm not sure what we can exactly put it
down to. Maybe it's attitudes, but yeah, real tough ask
and maybe with this Auckland team coming in next season,
they'll kind of, you know, put their head down and
I don't know, work a little bit harder, wanted a
little bit more, because I think that's that's what it's
(31:22):
come down to, all right.
Speaker 1 (31:24):
So that's the A League action to look forward to
across the weekend. Wellington Phoenix Men five o'clock Saturday against
Western Sydney, Wellington Phoenix Women four o'clock Sunday against Melbourne
City and Auckland f Sees Men seven o'clock Sunday night
against Brisbane Raw. So we'll convene next Monday, presumably Bonnie.
To wrap all of that up. We might have some
(31:44):
updates on the likes of Chris Wood and his injury
and anything else to do with the Keiwi football landscape.
Anything to add before we go. We covered everything off
I think we have.
Speaker 2 (31:54):
It's another big week in New Zealand football.
Speaker 1 (31:57):
It is indep See you next week on This is Football,
viam e
This is Football Fever. Hello and welcome into a fresh
episode of Football Fever as we cover of all things
New Zealand football, the national teams, the Wellington Phoenix and
Auckland FC in the A League and Kiwi's playing overseas.
I'm Jason pine Bonnie Jensen's here too, Hello.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Bonniet Piney. We're through to the World Cup.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
We're going to the World Cup next year and we
want to say we I mean we as a nation, obviously,
we as the All Whites and hopefully a few of
the sporting media as well, including the Football Fever team.
Happy birthday for yesterday, by the way, you celebrated by
watching the All Whites eventually beat New Caledonia. What did
you make of it in general terms?
Speaker 3 (00:42):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Yeah, it was a firstly great, great way to celebrate
my birthday. I was nervous. I think a lot of
a lot of people there in the stands or watching
and listening to you Piney and the commentary. We're nervous
in that first kind of hour of the match. I
was really really improve spaye New Caledonia. And I don't
know if I'm bad in saying this, but I was
(01:04):
kind of cheering for them a little bit. I thought
it was I thought it was awesome the competitive match
that they put on and probably made the game more exciting. Yes,
we would have liked to see a few more goals,
but they really competed with the All Whites and I'm
glad that New Zealand were able to get it done.
I think the most impressive thing for me was the
(01:27):
depth on display from the All Whites.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
Yeah, they changed things up and needed to. Can we
talk about New Caledonia because I too was really impressed
with them, I really was, and I'd watched them play
Tahiti on Friday in Wellington. I thought, you know, they're
a good team. They were clearly better than Tahiti, but
I still thought that might be their final. They might
have played their big game. They knew they were still
(01:50):
even if they were beaten last night. They had the
playoff tournament, so they could have been forgiven for having
played their final in Wellington. But for the first forty
five minutes, yes they were under pressure from New Zealand,
but they repelled everything thrown at them. Can bear that
to Fiji, who led a goal in the sixth minute.
You know, after half an hour, their three nail down
(02:10):
games gone at halftime. I'm not sure if you saw it.
Halftime in the game, New Zealand were walking off and
there were pointed fingers and gesturing and arguments happening. A
team under pressure. New Caledonia were in a huddle solidarity like, guys,
we've done a great job here. I think we have
to give a huge raptor to New Caledonia. They really contributed.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Yeah, we do, and we actually spoke about just before halftime.
You know, imagine this changing room, what that's going to
be like in the New Caledonian changing room at halftime.
I think it made the match what it was. And
what I really liked about them as well is they
could have just gone in part to the bus against
New Zealand, and you know they did that to some extent,
(02:52):
but for the most part they were trying to play
and they actually had a couple of good opportunities. Yes,
they were barely in the attacking, but they were moving
the ball really nicely and that's what I think was impressive.
So you know, on the men's and women's sides, we
see these Oceania nations just park the bus against New Zealand.
It's all they can do, but I don't think they
(03:12):
did that at all last night. And I also want
to give a shout out to the goalkeeper. I thought
he was very impressive and I hope he, you know,
is on an A league radar. I think I don't
know if that's a fast stretch or not, but I
thought he was really good. He was really confident in
there and cause a lot of trouble for New Zealand.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
The tremendously named Rocky nie Kine. Yeah, I thought he
was good to He made a number of impressive saves. Yeah,
like I liked him. I liked New Caledonia. And we
got to just before the hour mark and Chris Wood
goes down, tries to get up, tries to play on, can't.
(03:49):
So here we are nil. All our captain, our leading
goal scorer, our most obvious source of goals has to
come off. Were you starting to think, hey, this is
going to be this is going to be something we
absolutely didn't expect.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Controversial opinion, But I wasn't as probably less nervous when
Chris Wood did come off. I was more optimistic at
this point. I don't think it was necessarily working with
the way New Zealand were trying to play so direct.
You know, I think we play a lot around Chris Wood.
Naturally you would, He's a Premier League goal scorer. Why
(04:26):
wouldn't you. However, we're becoming too predictable and that in
that way, and we've actually got some unbelievable forwards in
Sapret saying Callum Macawa, Eli just and I just feel
like we're trying. We're kind of one sighted, one minded
on Chris Wood. So when he did go down injured,
I was I was gutted for him, and I was
(04:46):
gutted for the team. I was kind of thinking more
about his Premier League run, but I wasn't nervous in
terms of the game last night, and I think as
that showed when the players who did come on, Costa
and Eli and Francis, they did a good job.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
I knew you would be pleased about Francis de Maurie
coming on and coming on at halftime as well and
pushing Libby Cacacci further forward. Look, I think you and
I have got slightly different views on Francis. Look, I'm
a big fan of his as well, but I was
surprised that he was brought on at halftime. However, I
have to say he was terrific. He was really good,
(05:22):
wasn't he.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
It's just the weight of his pass is so spectacular.
And I think we've discussed this on the podcast before,
but Francis has been not back in the past by
coaches for his crossing not being any good, and he's
worked on that and improved. And I really liked that.
Darren Bezi clearly listens to the Football Fever podcast and
(05:44):
had both Francis and Libby on that same side. I
think they've still got to gewl a bit better, and
then that I would like to see them play more
on that side together at international windows because quite a
few times they were both making the same run and
you could see there was a bit of a miscommunication.
But I think, you know, Francis is a better crosser
(06:07):
than Libby and Libby's better at cutting in, so why
not have both at the same time. You could see,
you know, this is a weey way away yet, but
into our month's time, eighteen months time at the World Cup,
you know, Francis is someone that you can bring off
the bench and do a good job. He's done that
in both games now, so a key acid, I think,
whether it's starting or coming off the bench.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
And provided the cross for the opening goal, which was
just on the hour mark. He took the corner, dropped
it on the head of Michael Boxel, who had never
scored a goal in fifty four previous games for New Zealand.
Elder statesman of the side, got up at the far post,
and I think inside the ground the cheer for that
goal was as much relief as it was elation, because
(06:51):
we'd waited an hour and we were all starting to think,
I think, hey, is this not going to go to
script at all? But once Michael Boxill scored that goal,
and then five minutes later cost of Barbarusis, who was
also excellent off the bench, added a second, it felt
from there as though the game was under control. And
then Eli just with the third goal again Francises so
(07:12):
he you ask your subs to make an impact, Francis
to rees absolutely ticking that box.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
Yeah he is. I was sitting just behind that goal
in the in the second half way they scored and
was on the side of Francis, So I did notice
how intelligent that that cutback was. He could have gone
direct into Eli just who was sitting around the penalty spot,
but instead he just cut one back to Costa, who
then got the touchoff. So yeah, very very smart player.
(07:38):
And really happy for Francis because I know he's had
a few setbacks, as we say. But also another shout
out to New Caledonia. I thought even when they went
down one too now, they still kept trying to play
and I'm really excited for them. I don't know who
they'll come up against in the in the playoffs. I
think it won't be decided to November, but yeah, I
don't know what their chances will be back, but good
(08:00):
on them.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
I think they'll have everybody here cheering for them. I
mean we'll be cheering for them right across Oceania and
who knows. So you're right, we don't know who they're
going to play, but it'll be well, it'll be a
team that hasn't qualified automatically, just like they haven't, so
it's not going to be a really really top team probably. Look,
they'll be underdogs, of course they will, but they'll take
huge confidence and inspiration from last night because I, at
(08:21):
the risk of repeating ourselves, they were very good and
and you know, really good participants in that football match
last night. A couple of other shout outs. I want
to give Tyler Binden, the youngest player in the New
Zealand side, could have been the youngest on the pitch
even last night. What a player he could be for
New Zealand, just at his age to be playing with
(08:42):
the composure and just the surety wins his headers, makes
his tackles calm under pressure. Man, what a player he
could be for us.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
Yeah, just you saying that party gives me goosebumps. He's
so young yet so wise. He looks confident out there,
but not arrogant. You know, he actually plays one of
the highest levels across the squad. And another player that
I was really impressed with his you know, his weighted
passes over the top that are just so subtle but
they're kind of perfect. And you and I Piney were
(09:14):
talking just outside the office before about you know, it's
who's going to play alongside Tyler?
Speaker 1 (09:20):
Yeah, that's where we are now. It's not will Tyler
be in the team, it's who partners him at center
back and there's stiff competition in there. I thought Michael
Boxle again last night his goal but also as general
play was exceptional, But then you look at Nando Pinekeert,
naturally left sided and probably had had a pretty good
case to say I should be starting. Then there's Finn Sermon,
(09:42):
who's started the last two games for Portland Timbers, was
purposely not picked for the squad so that he could,
you know, stake his claims at club level in twelve
months time. If he's got a season of MLAs under
his belt, he's knocking on the door. Then there's Tommy Smith,
the closer, the experience head, the man who went to
the World Cup in twenty ten, is a fresh i
faced nineteen year old, and others as well. So but
(10:03):
I think you're right. I think we're now at the
point where it's Tyler Binden plus who because, yeah, without
wanting to pump a young guy's ties up too much,
he could play three or four World Cups, he'll play
in the Premier League, he'll captain New Zealand. I've got
no doubt about it. He's a player.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
Yeah, I'm getting really excited by the likes of Tyler.
But then also you know Alex Paulson, who we didn't
see play in this window, but you know should probably
could be starting for the All Whites at the next
World Cup, and then you've got the likes of Finn Sermon,
as you say, and the prospect of these young players
(10:39):
is huge. Another one Ben Old who's obviously injured right now,
but I can come back and easily kind of pick
a spot. So that again what I mentioned earlier, It
is really pleasing to see the depth in this all
white squad which we haven't had in previous cycles.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
You want to get onto that in the moment what
it means for the squad for next year, because we
are at the point now where good players aren't going
to make the squad. In the past, perhaps it's been like, okay,
well we've got eighteen good players and we'll just add
another five. There are fifty or sixty players on Darren
Baizley's whiteboard in his office, and I spoke to him
(11:13):
earlier on today and I said to him, I reckon,
and this was my personal view. You could probably write
down sixteen of the twenty three Let's say it's twenty three,
it could be twenty six. We're not sure exactly whether
it'll be twenty three man squad or expanded to twenty six.
Either way, good players are going to miss out. But
the most important thing for the players who are in
that bracket, and in fact the ones who are in
(11:34):
the top sixteen, if we want to call it that
as well, they must be playing club minutes. They must
be playing for their club. And there are a bunch
of guys who aren't, who aren't getting good minutes. Ben
Wayne's a good example, hasn't found regular minutes at Mansfield.
Matt Garbett doesn't have a sight to play for at
the moment. Others as well, and Bill Tuweloma is the
(11:56):
cursory tail here. A couple of years ago he was
in the first eleven, played every international. Now he can't
even make the squad because he's not playing. You've got
to be playing.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
Yeah, no, you absolutely do. And we are lucky that
so many, so many of our of our all whites
play beyond the A League now, like no A League
player other than Tim Payne. I think it was started
in this window and we saw obviously costs to come
on and then Logan got some minutes as well. But
(12:29):
that's really exciting. But you do wonder for those players
like Ben Wayne. Matt Garbett is another one. I think
who's not getting minutes. Would it be that bad if
they came back to someone somewhere like Auckland f C,
like the Wellington Phoenix, just to ensure minutes over the
next eighteen months. I'm not sure.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
I think Ben Wayne should look. I know they probably
don't want to. You know, once you're in Europe, I
think there's a reluctance to come back because it looks
you know, and this is not true, but the perception
is that you've failed overseas. Oh he's come. It didn't
work out for him, he wasn't good enough. That's not
the case. Look at a guy like Nando Pineke. He
was kicking around in Europe at various clubs and never
(13:08):
really found the place that was a natural level for him.
I think slugger rovers you know, that's probably below the
A League. Come back play a season in the A League.
You're on TV every week, the national coach is right
there watching you. I mean, the reason Francis Devrez is
in the All White is because he's playing well for
Auckland f C. That is the best example of this.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
Absolutely. Another one is Logan Rogerson who's been overseas and
is coming back and scoring a whole heap of goals
for Auckland f C. I think another mention is Calin
Elliott and no, he's not quite you know, in that
group yet, but he's on the front will be all
White special and he's not starting for Auckland FC, but
he's coming on and performing and getting good minutes. So yeah,
(13:53):
I think if I'm Ben Wayne, or if I'm one
of those those players not getting minutes overseas, I'm wanting
to do everything I can to make that World Cup
next year. It's a once at a lifetime opportunity.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
One hundred percent. You've got to be playing, and you know,
at the risk again of repeating ourselves, if you're not
playing at your club, then you have to find a
way to play, because it doesn't matter who you are
if you don't have match minutes. And I think actually
Matt Garbett had a pretty underwhelming couple of games and
he hasn't been playing, so that's probably not surprising. He's
still going to give you energy and vigor every time
(14:25):
he plays. But without having those regular games, you're just
not used to having the boots on, you're just not
used to being on the grass. So yeah, there's a
few players who probably have to work themselves out over
the next little while. Just before we hear from Chris Wood,
just back to the first two goal scorers. There is
a lot of chat about the younger players in the squad,
and rightly so, they're good players. But Michael Boxel thirty
(14:47):
six years old, Costa barbarusis thirty five years old. The
old heads got the job done. You know. They're the
ones who who in many ways rescued New Zealand from
a tough spot. So there's a lot to be said
for for experience and moments like this. Earlier today I
had the chance to catch up with Chris Wood, who
obviously left the field after an hour last night. Caught
(15:10):
up with Chris to find out the nature of his
injury and also how he felt about helping guide New
Zealand to another World Cup. Well, Chris, would nice to
see you the day after. Let's start with the reason
you went off and how you are. What can what
can you tell us? What what was the injury and
how is it today?
Speaker 3 (15:27):
To be fair, I can't say too much because I
don't know at the moment. I have to go get
it checked out today and get some some scans on
and things like that, but hopefully it's nothing too serious.
Landed awkward awkwardly, I think, and I've just got to
deal with what comes out now.
Speaker 1 (15:42):
So it's your hip. What part of the specific part
of your body is it?
Speaker 3 (15:46):
Yeah, hep and rib. It's just one of those that
just felt a lot of pain and couldn't push off
with it through my leg and once it happens, I
can't run and the best thing is to get off
and let someone else do a job, because I'd be
letting the team down.
Speaker 1 (16:02):
Yeah, what are the emotions at that time? Because I'm
sure you want to stay on right, you want to
guide your team to the to the World Cup. What
are the emotions that go through your head? Is your
battle with that but also with what's best for your
body and for the team.
Speaker 3 (16:13):
Yeah, I think I think you have to think about
the team first. I was doing nobody in any favors.
I couldn't couldn't move, couldn't couldn't defend, and couldn't help
any in for those one or two minutes that I
tried to stay on and things like that. I was
letting the side down just not being able to do
what we needed to do, and especially in a big
game where everybody had to be counted for. So, yeah,
you have to do the right thing. And I think
(16:34):
Base called it very early. He saw it, and I
think it was the right thing to do.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
So describe how it was on the bench before the
first goal. You're sitting there, you can't impact the game anymore,
it's still nil nil. Do you then become a bit
of a fan like like us and get a bit nervous?
Speaker 3 (16:51):
Not not really. I think the long of the games
goes on, probably we've got a bit more nervous. But
I still had a huge belief in our team. We've
done well in the first half, just didn't go in
for us. Second half, we were doing well and started
well and we believed there was always going to be
a goal. We just needed to make sure we weren't
doing anything wrong at the other end, and the defense
was fantastic in that sense. And yeah, and when Box
(17:14):
he put that goal in, I mean when when kind
of felt like, here we go, we're ready to kick
on now. And he's been been a champion of all
ways for a long period of time, so it's special
that he was just scored his first goal on that
big occasion.
Speaker 1 (17:26):
If there was a sweepstake and you could pick, you know,
your your favorite top goal scorer, I think your eyes
would have passed over Michael Boxer, wouldn't they.
Speaker 3 (17:33):
Yeah, potentially with us, with with this history record of it,
but special goals, special moment, special man. So yeah, it's
fantastic for him, and yeah, we're very happy for him.
Speaker 1 (17:44):
And there's a lot of talk about the young players
and this team and rightly so. But then you look
at Costa barbarusis another guy and as mid thirties, he
comes on, you know, in unexpected circumstances, he provides a goal,
So you know there's a there's a bit of this
experience thing, isn't there.
Speaker 3 (17:56):
Yeah, definitely, that's I think that's the good balance we
have between this team and I'm cost it one fantastically
while coming on, especially after the heartbreaker last time and
him being involved and getting sim top and things like that,
I'm sure he desperately wanted to achieve something great and
be a part of history and do something in the
(18:16):
right note. And he done in both games, scoring in
both games in semi final and final to put us
Aside through to the World Cup. It's fantastic, So he's
going to be very proud of himself.
Speaker 1 (18:26):
Do things like this sinking immediately, Chris, or like, do
you sit here You're going to a World Cup next year?
Has that sunken?
Speaker 3 (18:32):
I think it sings in overtime. You get snippets of
it all, and I think it's going to be just
continuous now until the World Cup. Got a lot to
look forward to. When more teams get get qualified. You
see your names with them and you're thinking, oh, could
we be drawn with them? Drawn with them? And then
when December comes around we find out where we're going
to be based and who we're going to be playing.
(18:53):
That's the true excitement.
Speaker 1 (18:54):
Yeah, and regardless of who it is. I know you're
on record as saying we're not just going to make
up the numbers. We're not just the forty eighth team there.
You want to win matches and get out of that group.
Speaker 3 (19:02):
Right, Yeah. I believe. I believe we can. I have
the belief in this team and the team's got more
than enough quality and experience to be able to do something.
And yeah, we want to. We want to do as
well as the two unten team, but even go one better.
It's not going to be easy. It's the world stage
and it's just one of those we have to believe
in and make sure right. That's what we've been working
the last two years.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
That is Chris Wood, who I spoke to earlier today
just before he jets out back to Nottingham. Hopefully the
injury isn't too bad. Yeah, so I hit a rib.
I just think he fell heavily and hopefully that's all
it is, is a bit of bruising and he'll recover, ice
it up and get back out there on.
Speaker 2 (19:38):
Yeah, there's no point trying to push through an injury,
I think in a game like that when you know
you have a dominating possession and yet I mean we
mentioned how good New Caledonia were, but it was always
going the way of New Zealand, wasn't it. So there's
no point pushing through. And I hope you know, to
see him out there for Forest back soon.
Speaker 1 (19:57):
Back soon. Indeed, we hope so as well so for
New Zealand. They punched their ticket to the Football World
Cup twenty twenty six. The drawer is scheduled to be made.
I haven't seen an absolute confirmation of the dates, but
normally for the June tournament, it is in December, so
we will find out in December where New Zealand are
(20:18):
in terms of being being placed in a group, where
they'll be based in the United States, Canada or Mexico,
who they'll be playing against, all that exciting stuff. They've
got games in June in Canada against Courte Deuvoirs, the
Ivory Coast and Ukraine, and also a friendly locked in
for November sorry October against Norway. They'll add another one
to that window. Darren basically said this morning that they're
(20:41):
going to play in all five windows. That's ten games
and they should, right, They've got to have games.
Speaker 2 (20:46):
They absolutely have to, and you know the football firms
did it as well on the lead up to their
World Cup. What I would like to see though, is,
I know it's kind of you know, you pick the
best team to play, but it's not that not that easy.
But the All Whites have typically picked higher ranked teams
to play against, and I think they need to pick
(21:07):
someone more on par with them, just so they're not
having to defend an entire game in these friendlies and
they can actually work on their attacking play because that's
going to be crucial in about eighteen months time.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
Yeap, good point, Absolutely all right. We'll look to see
how the All Whites go. But for now we can
celebrate the fact that in the footsteps of the nineteen
eighty two and twenty ten teams, they are off to
the Football World Cup next year twenty twenty six in
the United States, Canada and Mexico. Let's go to the
A League. I'd almost forgotten what's going on in the
A League. It's been this seems so long since we
(21:39):
talked about the A League. So let's remind ourselves that
Auckland f C are top of the table by four
points from Western United and then another four points back
to the Western Sydney Wanderers. This coming weekend Auckland f
C are away at Brisbane Raw, who were the first
team that Auckland FC faced all the way back in
would that have been October? In their first game two
(22:00):
nil win at home. Brisbane are a little bit down
on their luck, but starting to find a bit of
form Auckland f C. With with these recent draws, the
two all draw against the Central Coast Mariners, the one
all draw against Newcastle that you were at the four
all draw against Adelaide United. I'm not saying they're stumbling
and we perhaps you know, need to remember that they're
(22:22):
still on a nine game unbeaten run. But they'd want
to go to Brisbane and whin wouldn't they?
Speaker 2 (22:26):
Yeah, they definitely do. And you know, look going back
to when they played Perth Glory in Perth and they
lost in Perth Glory were down at the bottom of
the table, still are, but that was a massive wake
up call for them and they learned from that and
they bounce back, So I don't see that happening again. However,
they're obviously better at home than they are away. At
(22:49):
the same time, I feel like they came back after
the last international window quite strong. Obviously there are quite
a few new Zealanders Auckland f C players in the
All Whites quad the last week, but they didn't get
a whole lot of minutes, so there's no reason why,
you know, they can't come back fresh and respond.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
I think some Auckland to see a training this afternoon.
I think the likes of Tommy Smith, Nando Pineker, Jesse Randall,
Alex Paulson who didn't get any minutes, and even Logan
Rogerson who only got on for a few minutes last night.
They might give Francis the afternoon. I've given the fact
he played in both games and played forty five last night.
I think the rest of them back in training this afternoon.
Tommy Smith said that this morning, said I going to
training this afternoon. We've got a game on Sunday, so
(23:32):
and that's the nature of it. The Phoenix boys were
on the eight am flight out of Auckland to get
down to Wellington. I don't know whether they'll train this afternoon.
They might maybe Tim Payne won't, but some of the
others probably will because they've got a game this coming
weekend as well. That's the nature, isn't it. The international
window you come together and then I mean, what about
the guys who have to go all the way back
over to Europe, you know, let alone, you know, just
going down to Wellington from Auckland. Dan hallsfit, Nando Pineker
(23:56):
is now back in contention because he was suspended last time.
Tommy Smith is fit. Do you think it goes Pinaker
and Hall teaming up again.
Speaker 2 (24:04):
Yeah, I think it absolutely has to. We spoke about
it last time. But Tommy Smith is such a closer
and I've been conceding late goals Aukland nef C, which
has been unlike them, So why not go back to
the olden days and bring that back. Also, we'll have
Louis Vastrata back, won't.
Speaker 1 (24:22):
We Yes, Yes, he is back as well, just the
one game suspension for him. I honestly believe he comes
straight back in this time. I know Steve Corriker the
last time he was I think he was suspended for
yellow cart accumulation. Didn't bring him straight back in, but
that was off the back of a couple of wins.
He's had a couple of drawers. I think Louis Vastrada
needs to come back straight back into the starting side.
Be very surprised if he doesn't.
Speaker 3 (24:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (24:43):
I think the midfield's been kind of letting them down
a little bit in the last few weeks and potentially
an overhaul of that. So bring Vistrata and maybe someone
like Cam Howison who we haven't seen a lot of.
Give maybe Jake Brimmer and Gaogos a bit of a break.
So it will be interesting to see what happens. Max
Mutter is another one who hasn't been fit the last
(25:04):
couple of games, so it'd be interesting to see where
he is. I think there's a media opportunity later this week,
so we'll see who's in who's out.
Speaker 1 (25:12):
We will indeed, and as far as the Wellington fotas
are concerned, they play Saturday, so Aukland f C are
away on Sunday evening. We'll get the exact kickoff time
for you so you're not missing at seven o'clock Sunday
evening New Zealand time. Auckland f C away at Brisbane
Raw on Saturday at five o'clock at Sky Stadium in Wellington.
It's the Phoenix welcoming the Western Sydney Wanderers who are
(25:35):
in a very good vein of form, up to third
on the table and coming in off the back of
back to back four goal wins four to two over
Melbourne Victory for one over Perth Glory and in fact
four nil over the Central Coast Mariners, so three straight
victories during which they've scored four goals. The return to
Wellington of Bojidar Krajev as well, who I see played
(25:57):
for Bulgaria during this latest window. Phoenix up against it
can't make the six now but they got they got
the confidence from that one all draw against Sydney FC
just before the window. LB Kelly healed, I see it
out for the season now, so Josh Olaway Emmy will
be keeper for the rest of this season. Look, I
(26:18):
don't think the Phoenix are favorites. I think Western Sydney
Wonder is a favorites. But at home off the back
of that confidence Booster rig and Sidney FC quite curious
to see how they go.
Speaker 2 (26:28):
Yeah, I think so it's all just about ending the
season on a high, isn't it. In for Chief, he
probably seeing seeing more minutes of these younger players, so
real gutted for for alb And I think he's been great,
a great addition to the Phoenix since getting those starting minutes.
But yeah, it's going to be tough for the Phoenix.
(26:49):
It's going to be a tough a tough run for
them now to the end of the season.
Speaker 1 (26:52):
Yeah, well, let's hope we can see, you know, some
of the attacking combinations that Chief he's after with Marco
Rojaus she go you old as a shiga barbarusis you
know a sprinkling of Luke Brooksmith and Nathan Walker in there.
You know, they can really play a little bit unencumbered,
can't they. They don't really have to, you know, worry
about table position anymore. They're not They're not going to
(27:15):
make the six. I think, you know, Adelaide are currently
sixed on thirty three points. The Phoenix, having played the
same number of games, are on twenty. You're not going
to make up thirteen points in six games, especially the
way the Phoenix have been tracking. So play with a
little bit of freedom and throwing caution to the wind
a little bit and have all we crack.
Speaker 2 (27:34):
Yeah, the pressure is off one hundred percent, And I
think that's maybe they've felt so much pressure this season,
which has been quite ashamed of them. Obviously, coming off
the back of last season they had an excellent run,
they potentially you know, favorites coming in to qualify top six.
Then they obviously had their big brother or big little brother,
(27:56):
Auckland nef C come in as well. So I feel
like they have been in a bit of a pressure
cooker the Phoenix and Chief's probably felt that the younger
players who have had to come in and replace the
likes of Fin Sermon, Ben Old, they've probably felt that
as well. So hopefully they can just play with a
bit of freedom, you know, nothing to lose type attitude.
(28:17):
It's to be nice to see them be competitive, but
maybe they'll be able to do that more now, as
I say, with the pressure off.
Speaker 1 (28:23):
Okay, So five o'clock Saturday afternoon for that one Sunday
it's the Wellington Phoenix Women. So we've got all three
in action across the weekend as per usual, but at
quite friendly times. Now. The Wellington Phoenix Women missed a
big opportunity to take a step towards the socks the
top six by losing two nil to the Central Coast
Mariners at home last Saturday. What that does in terms
(28:45):
of their table position, they are still eighth on the table.
They're still only two points outside the top six, but
Brisbane raw I have a game in hand over them.
If they were to win that game in hand, then
the Phoenix would be five five points outside the top six.
With only three games to go, they're kind of running
out of opportunities and this weekend they welcome Melbourne City.
(29:09):
The table top is Marie Anna Spekmayer returns to Pottydoor Park.
It'll take a massive effort from Paul Temple's team to
get anything out of this game, you would imagine Melbourne
City nineteen games, twelve wins, seven draws, haven't lost a
game yet, Bonnie.
Speaker 2 (29:25):
Yeah, the Wellington Phoenix have a really tough ask and
it's going to be a matter of relying on other results,
which you just can't do this late in the competition.
I think missed opportunity is you said Pioneer. We spoke
last week how it was going to be a must
win for them against the Central Coast. They dominated or
you know, had them the most share of possession, more
(29:46):
shots on goal, and they kind of flopped. And you know,
I think going for the Phoenix need to work out
how they're they're just as good in the second half
of the season. It's been two season in a row.
This is how and it's not good enough.
Speaker 1 (30:01):
Yeah, And you know, we've talked about it a lot,
and I think we tried to be optimistic that they
would that they wouldn't. But we're at the situation, in
the situation now where they have fewer points now than
they had the same stage last season, and they didn't
qualify last season. They really have to win two of
the next three games and probably get something out of
the third one. So they've got Melbourne City table toppers
first up. Then it's Canberra who are a point above
(30:24):
them on the table and also pushing to make the
top six, and Western United who are currently fourth and
have had a pretty good season themselves. So it's going
to take something pretty special from Paul Temple's team to
push towards the top six. It just feels to me
as though they're just going to fall ever so slightly
short again.
Speaker 2 (30:41):
Yeah, exactly, And I don't know what it is, you know,
whether it is the travel for the Phoenix Women as
I mentioned, you know, it is a part time team,
a lot of that, most of these players are working
other jobs and it's probably you know, they're probably in
the hardest position traveling from Wellington over across the ditch.
(31:02):
So I'm not sure what we can exactly put it
down to. Maybe it's attitudes, but yeah, real tough ask
and maybe with this Auckland team coming in next season,
they'll kind of, you know, put their head down and
I don't know, work a little bit harder, wanted a
little bit more, because I think that's that's what it's
(31:22):
come down to, all right.
Speaker 1 (31:24):
So that's the A League action to look forward to
across the weekend. Wellington Phoenix Men five o'clock Saturday against
Western Sydney, Wellington Phoenix Women four o'clock Sunday against Melbourne
City and Auckland f Sees Men seven o'clock Sunday night
against Brisbane Raw. So we'll convene next Monday, presumably Bonnie.
To wrap all of that up. We might have some
(31:44):
updates on the likes of Chris Wood and his injury
and anything else to do with the Keiwi football landscape.
Anything to add before we go. We covered everything off
I think we have.
Speaker 2 (31:54):
It's another big week in New Zealand football.
Speaker 1 (31:57):
It is indep See you next week on This is Football,
viam e
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