November 23, 2025 • 44 mins
Jason Pine and Michael Burgess review the weekend's A-League action, including the Phoenix women's first ever win over Melbourne Victory.
But the Phoenix men slump to consecutive defeats and manage just one shot on target in their 1-0 loss to Macarthur.
We hear from Auckland FC attacker Lachlan Brook after his first goal for the Black Knights, but coach Steve Corica isn't happy with the 1-1 draw with Brisbane.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Football Fever, the podcast keeping you up to date with
the beautiful game with the voice of football Jason Pain
and inst Herald's Michael Burgess, powered by News Talk Zembi.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Hello there, and welcome into a new weekend to a
fresh episode of Football Fever, the podcast focusing on the
beautiful game of football here in New Zealand with regards
to our two A League men's teams and our A
League women's team, the Wellington Phoenix. I'm Jason Pine, Michael
Burgess is here too plenty to chat about today verch.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Oh so much mate, so much. Yeah, and summers here
as well. So it's a great time to be a
great time to be alive.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Yeah. Gee. It was hot in Wellington on Saturday for
the Phoenix men's game, and quite nice yesterday too for
the women. But it looked a belzer in Auckland yesterday
for that Auckland FC game. Was it hot at go media?
Speaker 4 (00:47):
Really hot, really hot.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
I felt for the players because three pm kickoff on
a Sunday is great for the fans and everyone else,
but for the players far out that's we'll get into
it later. But it wasn't the day to be struggling
to keep possession and unfortunately that's what happened for Auckland.
But Wellington the same note, it looked like a fantastic
afternoon down there.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
It was a beautiful day. It was a beautiful day.
Unfortunately the game of football didn't match the day it was,
I have to say, a fairly underwhelming game of football.
And if you didn't have any skin in the game,
if you weren't a Phoenix or a MacArthur fan, I'm
not sure that there was too much to recommend watching
it back Wellington Phoenix nil MacArthur one. That is back
(01:29):
to back defeats now for Wellington, Harry Sawyer scoring the
winner off the bench for MacArthur late in the piece.
In overall terms, Burge, what did you make of it?
Did it look any better on TV than it did live?
Speaker 4 (01:42):
No? Not really.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
It was a really hard It was a hard watch.
I mean, both teams looked a bit rusty. You sort
of had the preseason vibes, which is weird, you know,
obviously coming up an international break, but we're talking about
teams that have played a decent chunk of matches. But
but neither could get much going and that to me
(02:04):
is particularly concerning for Wellington given they had so much
to play for.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
Yeah, a lot to play for, a chance to bounce
back from Darby disappointment two weeks before. John Calotaliano said
in the pregame that it was probably one of the
best training weeks that his side had had. Alex Rufe
had been away with the All Whites, but he had
got back safely and ended up playing the entire game.
(02:29):
They were missing a couple through injury, but it just
felt as though there was very little in the way
of attacking spark for Wellington and the stats would bear
that out. Just one shot on target in the entire game,
and that didn't come until the ninety third minute Carlo
Amiento with a really impressive strike from outside the area
(02:49):
and former Phoenix goalkeeper Philip Kurto diving away to keep
it out. But across ninety three minutes at home, one
shot on target. It has to be worrying, doesn't it?
Speaker 4 (03:02):
It does it? Does you know? You?
Speaker 3 (03:04):
We were both quite hopeful after the first couple of
matches of the season looked like there was a bit
of a cutting edge there. They had a bit of
a variety in their attack, but it all kind of
disappeared on Saturday. Now, you hope it's just one of
those strange days where all the players were a bit
(03:25):
off and nothing was sort of clicking. MacArthur, you know,
did what they had to do well and made it
difficult at times, but yeah, it was. It was all
quite mysterious actually, given what was seen from the Phoenix
in the preceding games.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
Just no spark for me, Just no and Carlo Amento
has been the guy to provide that spark for the
most part. In the first few games of the season.
He's often been the one who will provide a flash
of inspiration, some creativity from a white area. It seemed
as though MacArthur really stacked the middle of the park,
which presumably would have left those white areas open to
(04:05):
perhaps exploit. But Army Enta didn't really get the ball
too much in the first half, and there was nobody else,
rarely who you looked at on that field and thought
they're going to be the one who who creates the chances.
And as I say, the stats would would bear it out.
Not only were there not that many shots on target,
there weren't that many opportunities created full stop. So I'm
(04:29):
kind of searching for answers here, Burge, I'm trying to
evaluate what it is that Wellington can do to get
out of what feels to me like a bit of
a rut.
Speaker 3 (04:42):
Yes, yes, because well I think what we what we
did see was you know, the the initial scars of
the derby again. You know, I think I think that
has to affect you. You know, they put so much
into that match. If they come away with a draw,
bringing this step and so even though they say we
move on, it's just a game. That kind of thing
(05:05):
does linger and I'm sure it really it really hurt.
But yeah, there needs to be needs to be something.
I mean, I do think it's quite a big fortnighte
coming for Alex Rufer because he's really got to got
to show the way, big effort to play the full
game on Saturday, because I assume he only got back
to Wellington like probably Friday lunch time, yep, which is crazy,
(05:30):
and I was I was a bit surprised actually that
he played as much as he did against Ecuador. But yeah,
so he's really got an it lead the way, but
they do need something else.
Speaker 4 (05:42):
In that final third. Would you know that.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
There are players available at the moment, who if they
wanted to, Wellington Phoenix could make an approach to. And
I'm talking about uncontracted players as well as a couple
who are finding game time difficult to come by. You
mentioned to me this morning Ben Wayne. Now he is
hard uly playing for Port Vale. He's been basically nowhere
near their match day squad. And this is a League
(06:06):
One side where you'd think a player of the quality
of Ben Wayne should be getting match minutes. He certainly
should be in squads and with an eye on the
World Cup next year. I just wonder whether during the
transfer window Wellington Phoenix go back to one of their
old boys and he's not that old, and say hey,
Ben Wayne, come home, come home and play back in
(06:26):
the A leg for us. I think he'd fit in.
They've got is a but where there is a could
be more of a wide attacker and Ben Wayne becomes
the point of your arrow. It's worth the approach at least,
isn't it.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
I think?
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (06:41):
There, the more I've thought about it over the weekend,
it just seems like a no brainer to me. You know,
he is he would be like the Prodigal Sign. He
was so popular in Wellington. He played so well for
Wellington you'd get your Wayne train call going again.
Speaker 4 (06:56):
But he just.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
It must be starting to worry him because he's got
this dream of making in Europe and that's great and
I hope he does and he probably will. But at
some point this lack of game time starts to really
be concerning for his World Cup chances. But if he
comes back and he's playing and scoring goals for the Phoenix,
it changes everything, doesn't it.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
Well, it does for you know, Jesse Randall. Jesse Randall's
got into the latest All White side, albeit a bit
later than perhaps he might have been, because he's playing
well in the A League. Logan Rogerson got into the
All Whites last year because he played well in the
A League. Francis Devrees another example. We've spoken about it,
you and I on the podcast. You know, if you
play well in the A League, you catch the eye
(07:39):
of the national coach. I mean, it's got to be
better than not playing, doesn't it, Even if the A
League is seen as a backward step at this point,
with less than a year now until the World cut,
well less than a year until the final squad is named.
If I'm Ben Wayne, I'm saying where can I get
some games. The others who I've just written down here
who are currently off contract and are key WE players
(08:01):
who might do a job for Wellington. Max Mutter, he
still hasn't picked up a new contract. Bill Tooiloma has
just been released by Charlotte in Major League Soccer. He
is currently looking for his next gig and also with
eyes on the World Cup. Alex Greeve, he's left San
Antonio in the United States, hasn't been an All White
for a while. Would love to get back out there,
(08:22):
I'm sure and score goals. And Oscar van Hattam is
the other one, another former Phoenix player who's the Lure
Club in Canada. As I understand, it closed down just
about so he's now looking for something so there are
options there without actually having to take up an import spot,
which they also have if they choose to replace a
Dicky is shig geez.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
I really hope Sean girls listening because that's a fantastic
list to come up with, mate.
Speaker 4 (08:45):
I mean, any of.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
Those four would do something like Bill Tulan would be great.
The culture guy, it's a nice stories been away for
so long, and then and the Alex Greeve. You know,
at his best he's a poacher, a pure finisher. He'll
be so desperate to prove himself. So yeah, there's some
wonderful options. And Ben Wayne. The other thing that Ben
(09:09):
Wayne is I know that Auckland approached him, They tried
to get him this season. So if Wellington managed to
get him in Auckland didn't, that'd be you know, a
little win for a change for for Wellington.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
Would it would? Well we wait and see whether whether
the powers that be are listening, taking any notice of
the list that we have just given them on a
silver platter to approach. I thought Josh olloway Me was
Wellington's best on the weekend goalkeeper, some big saves. MacArthur
had five shots on target. One of them obviously went in,
(09:40):
but there were some really important starts from Josh olawayo Emy.
He he was I thought a little bit unprotected for
the goal. The ball from Luke Bratton out to Harry
Poltid he's on the left is pretty much played without
any pressure poly teats can put across and also relatively unchallenged.
And Josh ollowa Amy, while it looked initially as though
(10:01):
he'd made a good block the ball rebounding up and
then spinning into the net. So I'm not sure there's
much he could have done about that. I think he
had a he had a pretty good game, Josh Alawayomi.
But the upshot is a lost Wellington eighth after five games.
Adelaide this week and they were big winners over Melbourne City.
(10:23):
Then the derby, if we hypothesize here, Burge and Adelaide
come to Wellington and win this coming weekend and then
in the second derby it goes to trend which has
been Auckland FC winning these games and we get what
would we be then seven games into the season and
(10:45):
four straight losses and just the one win. Is there
pressure on chiefye On Gianclo Bertaliano?
Speaker 4 (10:52):
Definitely?
Speaker 3 (10:53):
Definitely, I think I think without a doubt, because you know,
it's hard to turn a ship round from there, isn't
it if you've lost I mean, this is all hypothetical,
but if you've lost two derbies, you're pretty down on
the dumps already. And then you've lost a list of
home games because the Phoenix didn't travel that well last
(11:15):
year last season either, and you know they've got a
new team as well, so this weekend. Is they have
to avoid defeat this weekend and ideally and ideally win,
but at least avoid defeat. Have some momentum going into
the derby for the team, for the coach, and also
for Yellow Fever because you really admire the Yellow Fever
(11:36):
fans that have traveled to Auckland for the two derbies
last year. They were just brilliant, So you hope that
more of them will come for this one. But it's
becoming a tougher decision.
Speaker 4 (11:49):
It is.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
It's a tough you're right, Burgeon. You know, it's not
cheap to go, certainly to travel to watch the Phoenix play,
but even to come along to a home game. I mean,
the crowd there on the weekend was pretty poor. Three thousand,
six hundred and seventy seven was the official number. As
soon as you're down below five thousand, that used to
kind of be your base level. You knew that. You know,
come Hella high Water five thousand to turn up to
(12:11):
watch this team play, well, just over three and a
half on the weekend on a beautiful day. You know,
there's no problem with the weather. Look, I wonder whether
they'll get that against Adelaide given the fact that they
have fallen into this rut, as I say, And then yeah,
you hope that they'll get some traveling fans at the derby,
but yeah, and it's it's not a it's a kind
(12:34):
of a friendly set of fixtures ready for I mean,
that seems like an odd thing to say. But after
the derby, Newcastle who were bottom, and Central Coast both
at home before Christmas, you think, you know, they're winnable,
very winnable, just as MacArthur was winnable, just as the
Mariners away was winnable really and Perth away. You know,
(12:54):
Wellington have avoided the real big guns, you know, your
Melbourne victories and your Melbourne Cities and Sydney fcas until
you know, well after Christmas. So I don't know. It's
I'm sort of I'm searching for something here, some shred
of positivity, and who knows, maybe it'll come. If they
were to meet Adelaide on the weekend, then all of
a sudden, we're having a different conversation, aren't we.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
Well I saw enough in the first three games to
think that there's something there, that there's the basis of
a of a good team there. So you know what
football's like it just takes just takes one moment, one moment,
one spark and then and then they're back on course.
But they need that moment this weekend.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
Yep, indeed they do. They play third placed Adelaide United
Sky Stadium Saturday, five o'clock. They'll be full of confidence
Adelaide after beating Melbourne City for one on Friday night.
But if the Phoenix were to turn it around and
get the wind going into derby number two, then that
would certainly be a massive boost for them and for
their fans.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
Good Goolfever on iHeartRadio and throw it by News Talk zby.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
Let's get a Sunday at go Media Stadium, as you say,
a sweltering Go Media Stadium. Auckland FC one Brisbane RAW one.
Steve Coraica said afterwards it was the worst performance he's
seen from his side. He said there were no redeeming features.
Nobody played well and you write on your match report
that it was a strangely off color performance from Auckland FC.
(14:17):
Have you been able to work out why not? Really?
Speaker 3 (14:22):
I mean they obviously the international break didn't go well
for them, Steve Croker mentioned in the press, so that
they did have one extra training session last week, so
maybe you know they were a bit tired from there.
There's some obvious things with the list of some players
that injured suspension, two players can back from all whites,
and also of course Felipe and Nando coming in off
(14:46):
not much game time, so you put all that together.
But still the players they had on the park should
have been good enough to do better than they did.
But it just won those games Piney, where you sit
there in the first sort of ten minutes and you
have kind of uneasy feeling, and even after the goal,
I don't know about you watching on television, even after
(15:08):
the goal, it sort of didn't change. Brisbane were just
hungrier and better, especially in the first half. They were
the better side. Absolutely, they were the better side. And
I think if they'd gone and at one nil down
at halftime they would have they would have felt a
bit stiff. They got their equalizer just before the break
and it was no less than they deserved. But yeah,
it just felt as though Brisbane turned up with greater intent.
(15:31):
We've heard a lot about the physicality that they that
they bring, and we've talked about how Michael valkenis their
Bosses is perhaps not thrilled with the fact that his
site is being painted in this fashion. And yesterday was
a robust game, But what I saw from from Brisbane
was just a greater desire to win. The fifty fifties
(15:51):
and some of the forty sixties as well. They were
quicker to the loose ball, they were they were keener
to get on the front foot.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
These are things that Auckland have become famous. So I think,
I mean, Brisbane will be stoked to take a point
away at Auckland. F see. They could have had all
three though you know, they scored their goal, they hit
the crossbar, they tested Michael Vaut. You know, I think
they if they had won the game, Burge, I don't
think you could have argued.
Speaker 4 (16:15):
No, probably not.
Speaker 3 (16:16):
And it would have been quite a shock because what
Auklands have only had one regular season loss, haven't they?
That four melt to Western United almost a year ago,
just over you go, So it would have been wow.
But they were good value. I mean the way they play,
it's hard to play against. They're pretty uncompromising. You know,
you get a pass away and they're come in and
(16:38):
and let you know you that they were there but
they showed another side to them. They defended really well,
some great work in attack, the way they got space
down the flanks and through the middle. So good signs
for the rebirth of the raw and I guess, on
the other hand, haven't reflected on it. It's also there
(17:00):
are some positive signs for Auckland, as Coraker pointed out,
like to still get a point when you've got probably
every player slightly below par is kind of a good
sign as well.
Speaker 4 (17:11):
You know that they did find finder way.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
I do fair for Newcastle this week on this coming
coming to go media ORTNAFC will have we'll have Steve
Coricker's words, I'm sure right across the week ringing in
the areas. He will not be at home to a
repeat performance when Newcastle turn up on the weekend. A
couple of things I'd be keen to get your view
on Sam Cosgrove. He was in a running battle all
(17:34):
day with Staiitch Miload Stayitch, who was given the task
of marking him. Cosgrove through an elbow at one stage
got a yellow card. May be very fortunate not to
pick up another one. He now has three yellow cards
in five games. Sam Cosgrove do you think that is
a chink in his arm or something other teams will
(17:56):
look to exploit.
Speaker 4 (17:57):
Definitely, definitely.
Speaker 3 (17:59):
Unfortunately he's sort of he's made that a pretty obvious
chink so far. He's obviously come here wants to make
an impact. He's actually he's actually a lovely guy. He's
a genuine lovely guy. You wanted to succeed. He's come
all this way. It's a big step for him after
spending his whole career in the UK. He's definitely an
English lad through and through.
Speaker 4 (18:19):
But this, this.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
What he's got himself into is he just needs to
be a bit smarter. The things he does, they're quite obvious.
The referee sort of identifies it straight away. And I
just what I fear is when they're playing away in Australia,
because I think at home you can get away a
bit more, and he did get away a bit more yesterday.
Speaker 4 (18:40):
But when you're.
Speaker 3 (18:41):
Away from home and you do a couple of those
silly challenges off the ball stuff whatever, suddenly it could
be a red card and then and then all that
changes the whole game.
Speaker 2 (18:53):
And you missed the next one or maybe the next
two of it's a judge to be violent conduct. You
just put yourself into a situation where where you're in
the lap of the gods, aren't you? And and yeah,
if he's if he's known for it, then referees will
always say they just referee the game in front of
them and they don't go in with any preconceived ideas.
But I'm sure they do. I'm sure that they know.
(19:14):
I'm sure they know that there are certain players who
who have a propensity to do certain things and you
don't want to get a reputation for that, you absolutely
do not. So yeah, Sam Cosgrove, it's an interesting one.
That'll be very very interesting to watch him manage over
the next a little while. No Hirochi Sakai. We know
(19:34):
this hamstring injury that he picked up in It was
around two game, wasn't it against against Adelaide United? From memory?
That was the or around three when.
Speaker 4 (19:44):
He limped off, Yes, Adelaide.
Speaker 2 (19:46):
Yet it feels as though, I don't know, he's only
one guy, but I don't know, are they are they
missing him a little bit in games like this?
Speaker 4 (19:54):
I think missing him a lot, you know?
Speaker 3 (19:56):
And then there's norespect to Kellen Elliott, who's a who's
an excellent player in so many ways, and you know
it's probably got more pace and get forward. But I
just think he brings a real calming influence to the team.
His composures, experience and his vision, you know, his ability
to change completely change the face of play with one pass.
(20:16):
He's such a clever player. It's quite reassuring for the
rest of the team when he's on the field. So, yeah,
they're missing him a lot. And unfortunately he's still got
I would say another three weeks to go, so they're
going to have to find ways to cover that.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
Yeah, I don't Yeah, I didn't mean to suggest that call.
And Elliot isn't giving them great cover in that right
back role. But it's yeah, it's the it's the gravitas.
I think that Sarki brings the demanding of high standards
out there. Just you look across and you see your captain,
you think, you know, God like that. I don't want
to let that guy down. I'll do everything I can.
And look, I'm sure Auckland, we're not not trying. They
(20:57):
it just didn't seem as though they had the fluid
and the cohesion. Is Guichomo Mai still injured? Does he
doesn't seem one hundred percent to me.
Speaker 4 (21:06):
He's not.
Speaker 3 (21:06):
He's not injured per se, but he's he's working his
way back, and I think that's what we've come to
realize that he's still a few weeks away from being
at his best. So he's still got a he's not
holding himself back, but he certainly can't do at the
moment what he was doing last season.
Speaker 4 (21:22):
It'll come.
Speaker 3 (21:24):
But the knee problem that he had that he I
think they sorted out during the preseason. It'll just take
a while, a bit longer to settle. So he's you
can sort of see when you're there. He's playing a
slightly different role, dropping even deeper, and he's another element.
He's another He's definitely you know, he was a major
piece of the puzzle last season. So that's another thing
(21:46):
that they have to They have to compensate for.
Speaker 2 (21:49):
Altland Left's goal. What a goal that is from Lachland Brook.
What a strike that is. That is a terrific free
kit goal after eighteen minutes to open the scoring, his
first goal for Auckland f C. His technique on that
burge is just sublime.
Speaker 4 (22:08):
Well, that's Premier league level for me. You know he was.
Speaker 3 (22:10):
He was a long way out. It's a good distance
to be because I guess you got time to get
it up and over the wall. But to hit it,
hit it that hard and with the precision is so
difficult to do. I imagine say so very quickly because I've
never got close to doing it. But it was just
brilliant mate to see because it got everyone on their feet,
(22:30):
the whole crowd. I looking down on the groundstand everyone
was standing, you know, because they recognized, Wow, that was
some goal in some moment, just something that everyone who
was there will remember.
Speaker 4 (22:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
And it wasn't as though he's beaten just any old
goalkeeper either, you know, Dean Barzanis has been around for
a very very long time, both in the A League
and overseas. He's a he's a high quality goalkeeper and
he got fingertips to it. But it almost bends his
fingers back, didn't it as it sort of as it
went past and and missled in the in the top corner.
(23:02):
An absolutely brilliant goal from Lachland Brokers to say, his
first for his new club. Bar You had the opportunity
to catch up with with Lochland brook after the game
to discuss the goal and the performance, So.
Speaker 4 (23:14):
We'll start with it look tough after those workers look like.
Speaker 5 (23:16):
Anyway, Yeah, yeah, it was tough.
Speaker 6 (23:18):
Obviously hot, hotter than what we used to but yeah,
they're obviously a very physical team as well, so that
made it.
Speaker 5 (23:26):
A lot harder, of course. But yeah, obviously one point,
which isn't the end of the world.
Speaker 3 (23:32):
Steve made the point that everyone was a bit below
their best, but you still got the draw, so that's
a consolation. But when everyone is a bit flat, how
do you sort of try and lift yourself out of that.
Speaker 5 (23:43):
It's difficult. It's difficult, I think.
Speaker 6 (23:47):
Yeah, I mean for us to come out with a
draw when we feel like we've played not our best
at all, I think that is a credit to ourselves
of how high we keep our standards obviously, and yeah,
I think obviously we're very disappointed. I think when we draw,
it still feels like a loss. So yeah, we're not
we're not too happy with it. But yeah, it's it's
(24:08):
difficult in the moment obviously, you know, when things aren't
going your way, you know, to have a spark and stuff.
Especially with the type of game that it was very physical,
it's very hard to individually, you know, get on top
of things. But I think in the second half we
did do a bit better. Obviously Frannie as well with
that free kick would have been would have been excellent.
But yeah, I think, yeah, it is. It is really
(24:29):
difficult to sort of find that spark when the game's
like that.
Speaker 3 (24:34):
You tell us about your goal and how unfolded from
your from your point of view.
Speaker 6 (24:39):
Yeah, obviously won the free kick, and then it's something
that I try to practice fair bit.
Speaker 5 (24:47):
And yeah, I really needed a goal, so I thought
I'll just score.
Speaker 7 (24:51):
But ha, I mean it couldn't have been better, could it.
Speaker 5 (24:57):
Keeper could have got no touch on it, and it
would have been a bit better.
Speaker 7 (25:00):
Nah.
Speaker 5 (25:00):
I was obviously very happy with it. Yeah, it was.
Speaker 6 (25:03):
The pressure was slowly building on myself to score, obviously
not from others but from myself.
Speaker 5 (25:10):
So yeah, no, I'm really really happy with it.
Speaker 7 (25:12):
Where does that rank in terms of goals you've scored
in your career?
Speaker 5 (25:16):
Up there for sure, probably probably top two or three.
I think, yeah, definitely, I was. I was very happy
with that one.
Speaker 6 (25:23):
I haven't watched it back too many times yet because
I've been in the change rooms, but I love to
have a look and make a decision.
Speaker 3 (25:31):
When you take a free kick like that, do you
know straight away when you hit it?
Speaker 5 (25:35):
It's a weird feeling.
Speaker 6 (25:36):
I don't know how to describe it, but like it
when you connect with the ball, you always have a
feeling that it was and yeah, I felt felt as
soon as I kicked it that it had a good chance.
Speaker 5 (25:44):
So yeah, I'm just really happy with it.
Speaker 3 (25:47):
When you, as you say you won the free kick,
we're already thinking how you were going to do it
in terms of up over the wall and the way you.
Speaker 6 (25:55):
Sort of wait until you know the walls set up
and stuff and you can see where the ball is.
Speaker 5 (25:59):
And I was talking with Jesse.
Speaker 6 (26:02):
We're both on free kicks, and we're sort of just
deciding on what would be best. And yeah, with the
way it was lined up and how far.
Speaker 5 (26:09):
It was, we just thought I left it would be
better for it. And yeah, obviously turned out turned out
all right.
Speaker 7 (26:14):
And what do you think was missing in the final
third today?
Speaker 6 (26:20):
To be fair, we didn't we didn't create too much.
I don't think that's what was missing. I think just
second balls winning second balls pretty much throughout the whole game,
you know, that's the difference between getting chances. You know,
when you win the second balls, you can obviously go
and attack, but if you're second to the ball, you
have to defend a lot more. And I think that
was the case today. But yeah, I think obviously, you know,
(26:43):
when we did go forward, there was maybe a few
miscommunications or yeah, mis runs or whatever, but yeah, we
didn't have too much to sort of to sort of
go with. Yeah, it's a bit disappointing in that sense.
But yeah, like you said, we've got the we've got
the one point and that's you know, that's the main thing.
Speaker 7 (27:04):
How hard is it to play against Brisbane with their
combative physical start.
Speaker 5 (27:09):
Yeah, it's not easy, you know. I feel like that's
a part of the game that we can do.
Speaker 6 (27:14):
But in fantasy to them, they did do better than us,
and that.
Speaker 5 (27:18):
Especially in the first half.
Speaker 6 (27:19):
For the second half we were we were better, but yeah,
first half, IM sure they they outdid us in that.
So yeah, it's it's never fun to play against obviously.
Speaker 5 (27:31):
It's it's a difficult thing to.
Speaker 6 (27:34):
You know, to try a game, like I was saying before,
to try a game momentum when you're just getting smashed
all the time. But I think, you know, throughout the
Niner we held our own and obviously you know it
was one one and yeah, but I do think that
we could have been a bit better at that today.
Speaker 3 (27:49):
Just generally, how how are things going for you? How's
how's life here in Auckland everything else? You always look
really happy when we see you.
Speaker 4 (27:57):
How things go?
Speaker 5 (27:58):
Yeah, buzz them.
Speaker 6 (28:00):
I'm really enjoying my time here, you know, on the field,
off the field, everything's everything's really good.
Speaker 5 (28:05):
So yeah, very happy. I'm enjoying myself.
Speaker 3 (28:08):
And lastly, when you said before you were feeling pressure,
is that just sort of the standards you put on
yourself in terms of scoring a goal. You're feeling pressure
the standards you put on yourself you come to the club,
that's what you mean?
Speaker 5 (28:20):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 6 (28:20):
I mean I was saying the other day obviously, you know,
I talked to the coaches sorts of players. I don't
feel you know, I mean that the performances I feel
like I've had have been you know, good and solid,
and like you said, we were winning games and stuff.
Speaker 5 (28:34):
So there was less pressure.
Speaker 6 (28:36):
But you know, obviously you've got that internal where you
want to score goals, especially with the position.
Speaker 5 (28:42):
That I play, So yeah, there was a little bit
of pressure.
Speaker 6 (28:44):
That I was putting on myself, you know, obviously wanting
to score. But yeah, I'm off the mark now, so
that's amazing.
Speaker 2 (28:52):
Clearly your weight off Lachland Brooks shoulders. I think all
strikers will say, all attacking players when they come to
a new club, Sam cors Grove probably the same burge
that that, you know, will you just want to contribute
to wins. It's nice to get that first goal.
Speaker 4 (29:06):
Definitely, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (29:06):
It's just it's part of it. It's such a big part.
And he made the point he wasn't feeling the pressure
from coaches and teammates, but he was feeling a lot
of pressure within himself. So he's been good, he's been
good so far, but that could really help him to
you know, just just just help him to go to
(29:28):
go to the next level.
Speaker 2 (29:28):
It also creates uncertainty in the minds of opposition defenders
and goalkeepers in similar situations. Everyone knows, now Lockland Brook's
got that in his locker. He can he can bend
a free kick into the top corner, as can Francis Devrees.
Just about what about his one at the end. There's
an end on view on the Skysport coverage which is
just terrific. And it hasn't sort of skimmed off the
(29:49):
top of the crossbar. It's hit the crossbar pretty flush.
I mean that goes and all of a sudden, that's
the goal of the game. Not not locklan Brooks won.
Speaker 3 (29:58):
Well, that's that it was. It was so so far out.
I don't think anyone was thinking about a shot except
for Francis, you know, I think most of us were thinking, Okay,
he's gonna he's going to try and dig this in here,
but just hit it so well. I mean it was
going in. Do you think like, do you think the
keeper would have got to it?
Speaker 4 (30:18):
Chance?
Speaker 6 (30:18):
Right?
Speaker 4 (30:18):
Okay?
Speaker 2 (30:19):
And I think at that stage as well, Dean Buzanis
has got a bit of a hammy as well, because
I don't think he's taking his goal kicks. Then if
he is, he's not taking them very well. He doesn't
seem to move very freely towards it. I think he's
just he sees it go past them and just crossing
his fingers and hoping for the best. And it was
the best at the crossbar and rebound it away, but
it's a you know again, it's a great shot. Just
(30:40):
a couple of other things. An a league debut for
twenty year old Ollie Middleton, so a special moment for
he and his family. Seventeen year old Luca Vissilitch was
on the bench but an unused sub. It drops down
Auckland to second, behind Sydney FC, who won their fourth
straight match over the weekend three mill over Melbourne victory.
So Sydney FC are flying. Auckland dropped down to second,
they're still beaten. Just a word on selection for next week.
(31:03):
Dan Hall is available again, just the one match ban
for the red card he got in the derby. I
feel like he comes back into the eleven burge. I
think of he Pinaker and Jake goodwould write, I think
Hall's the one who plays if he's available. Do you
agree or do you think Dan Hall has to wait
now behind Pinaker? And Good would write.
Speaker 3 (31:23):
No, you're right, he's the automatic choice, she would have thought.
And it makes it easier when it's a drawer. Get
you know, if they had won three nil, it's a
much harder decision. But given they didn't play well, they
didn't defend particularly well. He'll definitely be back and it's
quite a tricky decision, i'd say for Corika because Nando
Pinaker was so good for all of last season.
Speaker 4 (31:45):
What did he miss? I think one game and the
whole season? Yep. But good Wright has been excellent as.
Speaker 2 (31:52):
Well, and I don't think Pinack is fully fit either,
is he? And that's not his fault. He's coming back.
I tend to agree. I feel as though Pinikcker came
into replace Hall through necessity the red card. I feel
like it's Pineker now who has to go back on
the bench and just wait and continue to gain fitness.
You know, he's been out for a while. You know,
(32:13):
he said after the derby he paid half an hour
in the derby that he was blowing after that. He
got the full ninety minutes yesterday, didn't he. So he's
he's got that under his belt. But yeah, I just
kind of feel as though it might be it might
be it might be him who drops out. Anyway, it's
a nice problem for Steve Corricker to have, of course,
to have some high quality options at his disposal. Yes,
(32:34):
So next up bottom place Newcastle at go Media Stadium again.
It's a Sunday kickoff at three o'clock.
Speaker 1 (32:41):
Good balls Beaver with Jason Paide and Michael Burgess.
Speaker 2 (32:45):
Now, while that was going on, well the second half
anyway down at the other end of the island at
pottydo A Park, it was the Wellington Phoenix women picking
up their first win of their new campaign, one nill
over Melbourne victory at Potty to A Park. Massive result,
first time the Phoenix have ever beaten Melbourne Victory. That
was the eighth time they've played them, they had never
(33:07):
beaten them. How big a win is this for Bev
Priestman first of all to get her first win and
such a big scalp.
Speaker 3 (33:15):
It's absolutely huge, just as this is the statement result.
You know, Melbourne victory have been the benchmark for so
many seasons really, so to win against them, but not
just that, to win with a team missing so many players,
and to win it the way they did with this
sort of you know, defensive display was exactly what they
(33:40):
needed and what she would have wanted.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
Yeah, the resilience they showed, as you say, without you
know a number of players. So I still know Lucie e leone.
We haven't seen her at all this season. One of
the imports, Samba, the Unapoli striker, missed this game. Even
though she was named in the initial squad, she did
not feature and has now missed the last two games.
No Macy Fraser for the foreseeable future. We know the
(34:02):
reasons behind that, and terrible news this week that both
Tessel Midock Andalusa Wynham are out for the season with
a c all injuries. What that meant, Burge was that
when Bev Priestman named her match day squad fest there
were two uncontracted academy players on the bench. That's how
deep she's had to go into her squad and it
(34:23):
also didn't really allow her to bring players on. In fact,
the only sub she made yesterday was Daisy Brazendal for
Emma Main. One sub. You're an to make five if
you want to. She only made one sub, So that
showed that you know that she really had to rely
on her experienced players that she has left. I thought
Alie Walker, Mackenzie Bowery, Maurissa Vandermere as a back three
(34:45):
in front of the Keersen just against the Melbourne victory
side that would just wave after wave of attack in
the second half. I thought they were tremendous and to
keep a clean sheet against a high quality side like that,
I feel like it'll have a massive impact across the season.
Give this team belief that they can hold out the
best attacks in the league exactly.
Speaker 3 (35:05):
Priestman's always built her teams on, you know, defensive platform.
You think back to what she did with Canada when
they won the gold medal, that kind of thing that's
always been where it starts. And for a young team,
a new team, it just must mean so much because
you knew that if Melbourne did get one, they'd probably
(35:26):
get two.
Speaker 4 (35:27):
It was that sort of feeling. But the way they
hung on it kind of reminded me.
Speaker 3 (35:30):
Of the football Ferns against Australia in Townsville where they
hung on, hung on for so much the second half
and they conceded right at the end and lost to one.
From memory, but I just thought it was remarkable the
way they kept finding a way, kept blocking shots, getting
(35:52):
in the way. The ersen was tremendous. Just so much
spirit as well.
Speaker 2 (35:58):
Yeah, big game for CJ Bott as well, captain of
the side. She's been playing in that sort of defensive
midfield position and she was just you know, just everywhere
as they looked to repel victory in the second half,
and as I say, the three center backs and all
of them really like I say, it wasn't like they
had fresh legs on there just the one sub made. So,
you know, so nine of those outfield players played ninety
(36:20):
seven ninety eight minutes because I don't know what Anna
Mari Kylie was doing with her what, but there was
only a few minutes out of it at the end.
It was close to one hundred minutes by the time
she finally blew it up. But yeah, but a very
satisfying result and what could be in the context of
the season a really important one. Seventeen year old p
of Lock the game's only goal after thirty eight minutes.
(36:42):
Manaia Elliott, who actually thought was very very good as well,
put the cross in evaded the keeper pe of Lock
at the far post, neatly finished. She becomes the Wellington
Phoenix's youngest ever women's goal scorer by one day, apparently
one day younger than Millie Clegg was when she scored
for the Phoenix during her time. You know, they didn't
(37:02):
have a have a heck of a lot other than that.
A couple of opportunities in fact before they scored their
first goal, but not a not a heck of a
lot in the second half. But you only need to
win by one, don't you, So so you just hope
that that that. Look, if they can get results like
this while they're while they're down on numbers, when those
who are available to come back do come back, it's
(37:25):
got a it's got to all go well, doesn't it?
Speaker 4 (37:29):
Well it do?
Speaker 3 (37:29):
I mean, I thought bears pre even made a good
point after the match when she said that sometimes young
players and a new team and get a bit bit
overwhelmed playing a big team. You know, victory. We all
know what they've done and how good they've been, and
it didn't feel like they did. So that's a really
good sign. And yeah, if you can bank bank some
(37:51):
points now and then when because when are we going
to see their best eleven? It's still what a few
weeks away, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (37:59):
We have to think unfortunately not going to see what
could have been. But when those who can come back
do come back. Look, I think the fact that that
Samba was named in the initial squad, whether that was
a red herring for Melbourne victory or not. I don't
know whether she was ever available. I guess we'll never know,
but I have seen some footage of her training Luci
(38:21):
e Leon. I haven't got any update thereon when she
might be available. And Macy Fraser, I guess is is
just a wait and see proposition, as she you know,
looks to work her way through the mental health issues
which currently have her outside of the of the playing squad.
So I guess what your hope is. And I know
the two things aren't related, but if the Phoenix start
(38:43):
to play well, start to pick up wins, maybe Macy
Fraser goes, hey, I think that might be quite a
cool place for me to be, and especially with a
list of win them out for the season, there's that
playmaker role that she might fit quite nicely into. So
so you hope that she she is available. I think
you know, Samba will clearly make a massive difference. You know,
she showed enough even in that first game to suggest
(39:05):
that she could you know, could create quite a bit
in the in the ninare League as far as goals
are concerned. So yeah, that's a very long winded answer
which gives you no real clarity. Has to win, they'll
have everybody of oitherable. I'm sure be Priest would love
to know.
Speaker 3 (39:20):
I think the other thing is it's just really good
for the club. I'm sure there's a bit of buzz
around the club, around the corridors of the club and
just in general at training and all that. If you know,
the men would be struggling a bit. But for the
woman to get that result, I think it's great for
the club and for those supporters that we're talking about before.
Speaker 2 (39:41):
Yeah, you must bounce into work. If after a win,
it's I'm sure on Monday is a lot more pleasant
when you've had a win. And look, if they weren't
able to pick up that win yesterday all of a sudden,
those first three games all at home, if they hadn't,
you know, registered a win after those three games, then
there would have just been a little bit of doubt
about whether the project, which has had a lot of
resource put into it, was actually going to work. Look,
(40:03):
it's only one win, and they've got a tricky little
period now where four of the next five games are away,
and as you correctly pointed out last week, they have
had challenges when it comes to picking up points and
particularly wins on the road away at Melbourne City next,
that's in a couple of weeks and they were minor
(40:25):
premiers last season, and then all the way to Perth.
I've got Sydney back at home, then Western Sydney away,
Brisbane away. So but then who knows buts You know,
often they say when a team gets together and spends
time together away, they get the chance to continue to
work on that culture, to integrate newer players into the
culture of the team, and away wins, if anything, probably
(40:47):
give you more in terms of that confidence boost than
wins at home.
Speaker 3 (40:52):
Well, we're seeing in other teams there were Pioney that
they go away and that's kind of the making of
them and they come back a few weeks later and
they talk about how they really got that cohesion, they've
got to know each other. They spend so much more
time together because you've got all this time to kill suddenly.
So and the main thing though, is that is surely
that defensive platform, because you know, they don't so far
(41:14):
look like they're going to be a free scoring team.
But if they can remain super solid defensively essen looks
has looked good, they're still unbeaten, then that'll go a
long way.
Speaker 2 (41:25):
Indeed, Yeah, it takes them all the way up to
fifth on the table and there's a couple of teams
above them who have played one more game of course
with the buy so it's all looking much rosier after
the win over Melbourne victory. No game this weekend for
the Phoenix women, but the football Ferns face Australia two
matches Friday night in Gosford and then Tuesday night and Adelaide.
(41:45):
Three Wellington Phoenix players and that squad Vacessen, c J
Bott and Lara Wall. So we wait with interest to
see how the national team goes against against the Matilda's.
The next game for the Wellington Phoenix women, as I say,
is Melbourne City away on December the seventh. That's a Sunday,
good chance for some of those injured players to recover
perhaps and to return. So this weekend it's the aleg
(42:08):
men's sides that will be our focus. The Wellington Phoenix
take on Adelaide five o'clock Saturday at Sky Stadium and
the Auckland FC men against Newcastle Sunday three o'clock at
go Media. Yeah, willing to willing to wager on two
wins and those James birds. For us to be talking
about dual victories when we reconvene next Monday.
Speaker 3 (42:30):
It would be wonderful. It would be wonderful, I have
to say. I mean, I seriously believe that the Phoenix,
it will just take. It's hard to imagine after seeing
it was pretty underwhelming, but it will just take a
moment to get them going again. And I've definitely got
the players that can do something.
Speaker 4 (42:47):
Will be tough.
Speaker 3 (42:48):
Auckland, I've never seen what I've really seen. Steve Croker
so angry as he was coming into the press conference.
He saw me, I picked the wrong daddy wearing these sandals.
He saw me were in these sanders, is what the
hell are? And I joked, I joked that I'd just
come from the beach. I hadn't, but I joked, and
he said, ah, you should have stayed there. I would have,
(43:10):
and so that sort of that was before the press
has started, so that's sort of yeah, he wasn't happy,
and fair enough, they said high standards. So I think
your point you made earlier about Newcastle could be really
in for a bounce back is a correct one.
Speaker 2 (43:25):
It's so funny that he was so annoyed that everything
annoyed him, including your footwear. I think that's a great
demonstration of the mindset of Steve Corricker. But the man
wears his heart on his sleeve, doesn't he. He's no
way he's going to sugarcoat it. He's really passed off
about the way his team have played, and there's no
way of he'd be terrible in a game of poker,
(43:47):
Absolutely no poker face Steve Corricker. He wears his heart
on his sleeve. And as I I think Auckland will
know all about it during the week, all right, Birch,
great to see if, as always we will and reconvene
next month for the next episode of Football Fever.
Speaker 4 (44:01):
Can't wait, mate, foo Football Fever.
Speaker 1 (44:08):
Football Fever.
Speaker 6 (44:11):
Mmmmmm
Football Fever, the podcast keeping you up to date with
the beautiful game with the voice of football Jason Pain
and inst Herald's Michael Burgess, powered by News Talk Zembi.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Hello there, and welcome into a new weekend to a
fresh episode of Football Fever, the podcast focusing on the
beautiful game of football here in New Zealand with regards
to our two A League men's teams and our A
League women's team, the Wellington Phoenix. I'm Jason Pine, Michael
Burgess is here too plenty to chat about today verch.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Oh so much mate, so much. Yeah, and summers here
as well. So it's a great time to be a
great time to be alive.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Yeah. Gee. It was hot in Wellington on Saturday for
the Phoenix men's game, and quite nice yesterday too for
the women. But it looked a belzer in Auckland yesterday
for that Auckland FC game. Was it hot at go media?
Speaker 4 (00:47):
Really hot, really hot.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
I felt for the players because three pm kickoff on
a Sunday is great for the fans and everyone else,
but for the players far out that's we'll get into
it later. But it wasn't the day to be struggling
to keep possession and unfortunately that's what happened for Auckland.
But Wellington the same note, it looked like a fantastic
afternoon down there.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
It was a beautiful day. It was a beautiful day.
Unfortunately the game of football didn't match the day it was,
I have to say, a fairly underwhelming game of football.
And if you didn't have any skin in the game,
if you weren't a Phoenix or a MacArthur fan, I'm
not sure that there was too much to recommend watching
it back Wellington Phoenix nil MacArthur one. That is back
(01:29):
to back defeats now for Wellington, Harry Sawyer scoring the
winner off the bench for MacArthur late in the piece.
In overall terms, Burge, what did you make of it?
Did it look any better on TV than it did live?
Speaker 4 (01:42):
No? Not really.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
It was a really hard It was a hard watch.
I mean, both teams looked a bit rusty. You sort
of had the preseason vibes, which is weird, you know,
obviously coming up an international break, but we're talking about
teams that have played a decent chunk of matches. But
but neither could get much going and that to me
(02:04):
is particularly concerning for Wellington given they had so much
to play for.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
Yeah, a lot to play for, a chance to bounce
back from Darby disappointment two weeks before. John Calotaliano said
in the pregame that it was probably one of the
best training weeks that his side had had. Alex Rufe
had been away with the All Whites, but he had
got back safely and ended up playing the entire game.
(02:29):
They were missing a couple through injury, but it just
felt as though there was very little in the way
of attacking spark for Wellington and the stats would bear
that out. Just one shot on target in the entire game,
and that didn't come until the ninety third minute Carlo
Amiento with a really impressive strike from outside the area
(02:49):
and former Phoenix goalkeeper Philip Kurto diving away to keep
it out. But across ninety three minutes at home, one
shot on target. It has to be worrying, doesn't it?
Speaker 4 (03:02):
It does it? Does you know? You?
Speaker 3 (03:04):
We were both quite hopeful after the first couple of
matches of the season looked like there was a bit
of a cutting edge there. They had a bit of
a variety in their attack, but it all kind of
disappeared on Saturday. Now, you hope it's just one of
those strange days where all the players were a bit
(03:25):
off and nothing was sort of clicking. MacArthur, you know,
did what they had to do well and made it
difficult at times, but yeah, it was. It was all
quite mysterious actually, given what was seen from the Phoenix
in the preceding games.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
Just no spark for me, Just no and Carlo Amento
has been the guy to provide that spark for the
most part. In the first few games of the season.
He's often been the one who will provide a flash
of inspiration, some creativity from a white area. It seemed
as though MacArthur really stacked the middle of the park,
which presumably would have left those white areas open to
(04:05):
perhaps exploit. But Army Enta didn't really get the ball
too much in the first half, and there was nobody else,
rarely who you looked at on that field and thought
they're going to be the one who who creates the chances.
And as I say, the stats would would bear it out.
Not only were there not that many shots on target,
there weren't that many opportunities created full stop. So I'm
(04:29):
kind of searching for answers here, Burge, I'm trying to
evaluate what it is that Wellington can do to get
out of what feels to me like a bit of
a rut.
Speaker 3 (04:42):
Yes, yes, because well I think what we what we
did see was you know, the the initial scars of
the derby again. You know, I think I think that
has to affect you. You know, they put so much
into that match. If they come away with a draw,
bringing this step and so even though they say we
move on, it's just a game. That kind of thing
(05:05):
does linger and I'm sure it really it really hurt.
But yeah, there needs to be needs to be something.
I mean, I do think it's quite a big fortnighte
coming for Alex Rufer because he's really got to got
to show the way, big effort to play the full
game on Saturday, because I assume he only got back
to Wellington like probably Friday lunch time, yep, which is crazy,
(05:30):
and I was I was a bit surprised actually that
he played as much as he did against Ecuador. But yeah,
so he's really got an it lead the way, but
they do need something else.
Speaker 4 (05:42):
In that final third. Would you know that.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
There are players available at the moment, who if they
wanted to, Wellington Phoenix could make an approach to. And
I'm talking about uncontracted players as well as a couple
who are finding game time difficult to come by. You
mentioned to me this morning Ben Wayne. Now he is
hard uly playing for Port Vale. He's been basically nowhere
near their match day squad. And this is a League
(06:06):
One side where you'd think a player of the quality
of Ben Wayne should be getting match minutes. He certainly
should be in squads and with an eye on the
World Cup next year. I just wonder whether during the
transfer window Wellington Phoenix go back to one of their
old boys and he's not that old, and say hey,
Ben Wayne, come home, come home and play back in
(06:26):
the A leg for us. I think he'd fit in.
They've got is a but where there is a could
be more of a wide attacker and Ben Wayne becomes
the point of your arrow. It's worth the approach at least,
isn't it.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
I think?
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (06:41):
There, the more I've thought about it over the weekend,
it just seems like a no brainer to me. You know,
he is he would be like the Prodigal Sign. He
was so popular in Wellington. He played so well for
Wellington you'd get your Wayne train call going again.
Speaker 4 (06:56):
But he just.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
It must be starting to worry him because he's got
this dream of making in Europe and that's great and
I hope he does and he probably will. But at
some point this lack of game time starts to really
be concerning for his World Cup chances. But if he
comes back and he's playing and scoring goals for the Phoenix,
it changes everything, doesn't it.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
Well, it does for you know, Jesse Randall. Jesse Randall's
got into the latest All White side, albeit a bit
later than perhaps he might have been, because he's playing
well in the A League. Logan Rogerson got into the
All Whites last year because he played well in the
A League. Francis Devrees another example. We've spoken about it,
you and I on the podcast. You know, if you
play well in the A League, you catch the eye
(07:39):
of the national coach. I mean, it's got to be
better than not playing, doesn't it, Even if the A
League is seen as a backward step at this point,
with less than a year now until the World cut,
well less than a year until the final squad is named.
If I'm Ben Wayne, I'm saying where can I get
some games. The others who I've just written down here
who are currently off contract and are key WE players
(08:01):
who might do a job for Wellington. Max Mutter, he
still hasn't picked up a new contract. Bill Tooiloma has
just been released by Charlotte in Major League Soccer. He
is currently looking for his next gig and also with
eyes on the World Cup. Alex Greeve, he's left San
Antonio in the United States, hasn't been an All White
for a while. Would love to get back out there,
(08:22):
I'm sure and score goals. And Oscar van Hattam is
the other one, another former Phoenix player who's the Lure
Club in Canada. As I understand, it closed down just
about so he's now looking for something so there are
options there without actually having to take up an import spot,
which they also have if they choose to replace a
Dicky is shig geez.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
I really hope Sean girls listening because that's a fantastic
list to come up with, mate.
Speaker 4 (08:45):
I mean, any of.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
Those four would do something like Bill Tulan would be great.
The culture guy, it's a nice stories been away for
so long, and then and the Alex Greeve. You know,
at his best he's a poacher, a pure finisher. He'll
be so desperate to prove himself. So yeah, there's some
wonderful options. And Ben Wayne. The other thing that Ben
(09:09):
Wayne is I know that Auckland approached him, They tried
to get him this season. So if Wellington managed to
get him in Auckland didn't, that'd be you know, a
little win for a change for for Wellington.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
Would it would? Well we wait and see whether whether
the powers that be are listening, taking any notice of
the list that we have just given them on a
silver platter to approach. I thought Josh olloway Me was
Wellington's best on the weekend goalkeeper, some big saves. MacArthur
had five shots on target. One of them obviously went in,
(09:40):
but there were some really important starts from Josh olawayo Emy.
He he was I thought a little bit unprotected for
the goal. The ball from Luke Bratton out to Harry
Poltid he's on the left is pretty much played without
any pressure poly teats can put across and also relatively unchallenged.
And Josh ollowa Amy, while it looked initially as though
(10:01):
he'd made a good block the ball rebounding up and
then spinning into the net. So I'm not sure there's
much he could have done about that. I think he
had a he had a pretty good game, Josh Alawayomi.
But the upshot is a lost Wellington eighth after five games.
Adelaide this week and they were big winners over Melbourne City.
(10:23):
Then the derby, if we hypothesize here, Burge and Adelaide
come to Wellington and win this coming weekend and then
in the second derby it goes to trend which has
been Auckland FC winning these games and we get what
would we be then seven games into the season and
(10:45):
four straight losses and just the one win. Is there
pressure on chiefye On Gianclo Bertaliano?
Speaker 4 (10:52):
Definitely?
Speaker 3 (10:53):
Definitely, I think I think without a doubt, because you know,
it's hard to turn a ship round from there, isn't
it if you've lost I mean, this is all hypothetical,
but if you've lost two derbies, you're pretty down on
the dumps already. And then you've lost a list of
home games because the Phoenix didn't travel that well last
(11:15):
year last season either, and you know they've got a
new team as well, so this weekend. Is they have
to avoid defeat this weekend and ideally and ideally win,
but at least avoid defeat. Have some momentum going into
the derby for the team, for the coach, and also
for Yellow Fever because you really admire the Yellow Fever
(11:36):
fans that have traveled to Auckland for the two derbies
last year. They were just brilliant, So you hope that
more of them will come for this one. But it's
becoming a tougher decision.
Speaker 4 (11:49):
It is.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
It's a tough you're right, Burgeon. You know, it's not
cheap to go, certainly to travel to watch the Phoenix play,
but even to come along to a home game. I mean,
the crowd there on the weekend was pretty poor. Three thousand,
six hundred and seventy seven was the official number. As
soon as you're down below five thousand, that used to
kind of be your base level. You knew that. You know,
come Hella high Water five thousand to turn up to
(12:11):
watch this team play, well, just over three and a
half on the weekend on a beautiful day. You know,
there's no problem with the weather. Look, I wonder whether
they'll get that against Adelaide given the fact that they
have fallen into this rut, as I say, And then yeah,
you hope that they'll get some traveling fans at the derby,
but yeah, and it's it's not a it's a kind
(12:34):
of a friendly set of fixtures ready for I mean,
that seems like an odd thing to say. But after
the derby, Newcastle who were bottom, and Central Coast both
at home before Christmas, you think, you know, they're winnable,
very winnable, just as MacArthur was winnable, just as the
Mariners away was winnable really and Perth away. You know,
(12:54):
Wellington have avoided the real big guns, you know, your
Melbourne victories and your Melbourne Cities and Sydney fcas until
you know, well after Christmas. So I don't know. It's
I'm sort of I'm searching for something here, some shred
of positivity, and who knows, maybe it'll come. If they
were to meet Adelaide on the weekend, then all of
a sudden, we're having a different conversation, aren't we.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
Well I saw enough in the first three games to
think that there's something there, that there's the basis of
a of a good team there. So you know what
football's like it just takes just takes one moment, one moment,
one spark and then and then they're back on course.
But they need that moment this weekend.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
Yep, indeed they do. They play third placed Adelaide United
Sky Stadium Saturday, five o'clock. They'll be full of confidence
Adelaide after beating Melbourne City for one on Friday night.
But if the Phoenix were to turn it around and
get the wind going into derby number two, then that
would certainly be a massive boost for them and for
their fans.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
Good Goolfever on iHeartRadio and throw it by News Talk zby.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
Let's get a Sunday at go Media Stadium, as you say,
a sweltering Go Media Stadium. Auckland FC one Brisbane RAW one.
Steve Coraica said afterwards it was the worst performance he's
seen from his side. He said there were no redeeming features.
Nobody played well and you write on your match report
that it was a strangely off color performance from Auckland FC.
(14:17):
Have you been able to work out why not? Really?
Speaker 3 (14:22):
I mean they obviously the international break didn't go well
for them, Steve Croker mentioned in the press, so that
they did have one extra training session last week, so
maybe you know they were a bit tired from there.
There's some obvious things with the list of some players
that injured suspension, two players can back from all whites,
and also of course Felipe and Nando coming in off
(14:46):
not much game time, so you put all that together.
But still the players they had on the park should
have been good enough to do better than they did.
But it just won those games Piney, where you sit
there in the first sort of ten minutes and you
have kind of uneasy feeling, and even after the goal,
I don't know about you watching on television, even after
(15:08):
the goal, it sort of didn't change. Brisbane were just
hungrier and better, especially in the first half. They were
the better side. Absolutely, they were the better side. And
I think if they'd gone and at one nil down
at halftime they would have they would have felt a
bit stiff. They got their equalizer just before the break
and it was no less than they deserved. But yeah,
it just felt as though Brisbane turned up with greater intent.
(15:31):
We've heard a lot about the physicality that they that
they bring, and we've talked about how Michael valkenis their
Bosses is perhaps not thrilled with the fact that his
site is being painted in this fashion. And yesterday was
a robust game, But what I saw from from Brisbane
was just a greater desire to win. The fifty fifties
(15:51):
and some of the forty sixties as well. They were
quicker to the loose ball, they were they were keener
to get on the front foot.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
These are things that Auckland have become famous. So I think,
I mean, Brisbane will be stoked to take a point
away at Auckland. F see. They could have had all
three though you know, they scored their goal, they hit
the crossbar, they tested Michael Vaut. You know, I think
they if they had won the game, Burge, I don't
think you could have argued.
Speaker 4 (16:15):
No, probably not.
Speaker 3 (16:16):
And it would have been quite a shock because what
Auklands have only had one regular season loss, haven't they?
That four melt to Western United almost a year ago,
just over you go, So it would have been wow.
But they were good value. I mean the way they play,
it's hard to play against. They're pretty uncompromising. You know,
you get a pass away and they're come in and
(16:38):
and let you know you that they were there but
they showed another side to them. They defended really well,
some great work in attack, the way they got space
down the flanks and through the middle. So good signs
for the rebirth of the raw and I guess, on
the other hand, haven't reflected on it. It's also there
(17:00):
are some positive signs for Auckland, as Coraker pointed out,
like to still get a point when you've got probably
every player slightly below par is kind of a good
sign as well.
Speaker 4 (17:11):
You know that they did find finder way.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
I do fair for Newcastle this week on this coming
coming to go media ORTNAFC will have we'll have Steve
Coricker's words, I'm sure right across the week ringing in
the areas. He will not be at home to a
repeat performance when Newcastle turn up on the weekend. A
couple of things I'd be keen to get your view
on Sam Cosgrove. He was in a running battle all
(17:34):
day with Staiitch Miload Stayitch, who was given the task
of marking him. Cosgrove through an elbow at one stage
got a yellow card. May be very fortunate not to
pick up another one. He now has three yellow cards
in five games. Sam Cosgrove do you think that is
a chink in his arm or something other teams will
(17:56):
look to exploit.
Speaker 4 (17:57):
Definitely, definitely.
Speaker 3 (17:59):
Unfortunately he's sort of he's made that a pretty obvious
chink so far. He's obviously come here wants to make
an impact. He's actually he's actually a lovely guy. He's
a genuine lovely guy. You wanted to succeed. He's come
all this way. It's a big step for him after
spending his whole career in the UK. He's definitely an
English lad through and through.
Speaker 4 (18:19):
But this, this.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
What he's got himself into is he just needs to
be a bit smarter. The things he does, they're quite obvious.
The referee sort of identifies it straight away. And I
just what I fear is when they're playing away in Australia,
because I think at home you can get away a
bit more, and he did get away a bit more yesterday.
Speaker 4 (18:40):
But when you're.
Speaker 3 (18:41):
Away from home and you do a couple of those
silly challenges off the ball stuff whatever, suddenly it could
be a red card and then and then all that
changes the whole game.
Speaker 2 (18:53):
And you missed the next one or maybe the next
two of it's a judge to be violent conduct. You
just put yourself into a situation where where you're in
the lap of the gods, aren't you? And and yeah,
if he's if he's known for it, then referees will
always say they just referee the game in front of
them and they don't go in with any preconceived ideas.
But I'm sure they do. I'm sure that they know.
(19:14):
I'm sure they know that there are certain players who
who have a propensity to do certain things and you
don't want to get a reputation for that, you absolutely
do not. So yeah, Sam Cosgrove, it's an interesting one.
That'll be very very interesting to watch him manage over
the next a little while. No Hirochi Sakai. We know
(19:34):
this hamstring injury that he picked up in It was
around two game, wasn't it against against Adelaide United? From memory?
That was the or around three when.
Speaker 4 (19:44):
He limped off, Yes, Adelaide.
Speaker 2 (19:46):
Yet it feels as though, I don't know, he's only
one guy, but I don't know, are they are they
missing him a little bit in games like this?
Speaker 4 (19:54):
I think missing him a lot, you know?
Speaker 3 (19:56):
And then there's norespect to Kellen Elliott, who's a who's
an excellent player in so many ways, and you know
it's probably got more pace and get forward. But I
just think he brings a real calming influence to the team.
His composures, experience and his vision, you know, his ability
to change completely change the face of play with one pass.
(20:16):
He's such a clever player. It's quite reassuring for the
rest of the team when he's on the field. So, yeah,
they're missing him a lot. And unfortunately he's still got
I would say another three weeks to go, so they're
going to have to find ways to cover that.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
Yeah, I don't Yeah, I didn't mean to suggest that call.
And Elliot isn't giving them great cover in that right
back role. But it's yeah, it's the it's the gravitas.
I think that Sarki brings the demanding of high standards
out there. Just you look across and you see your captain,
you think, you know, God like that. I don't want
to let that guy down. I'll do everything I can.
And look, I'm sure Auckland, we're not not trying. They
(20:57):
it just didn't seem as though they had the fluid
and the cohesion. Is Guichomo Mai still injured? Does he
doesn't seem one hundred percent to me.
Speaker 4 (21:06):
He's not.
Speaker 3 (21:06):
He's not injured per se, but he's he's working his
way back, and I think that's what we've come to
realize that he's still a few weeks away from being
at his best. So he's still got a he's not
holding himself back, but he certainly can't do at the
moment what he was doing last season.
Speaker 4 (21:22):
It'll come.
Speaker 3 (21:24):
But the knee problem that he had that he I
think they sorted out during the preseason. It'll just take
a while, a bit longer to settle. So he's you
can sort of see when you're there. He's playing a
slightly different role, dropping even deeper, and he's another element.
He's another He's definitely you know, he was a major
piece of the puzzle last season. So that's another thing
(21:46):
that they have to They have to compensate for.
Speaker 2 (21:49):
Altland Left's goal. What a goal that is from Lachland Brook.
What a strike that is. That is a terrific free
kit goal after eighteen minutes to open the scoring, his
first goal for Auckland f C. His technique on that
burge is just sublime.
Speaker 4 (22:08):
Well, that's Premier league level for me. You know he was.
Speaker 3 (22:10):
He was a long way out. It's a good distance
to be because I guess you got time to get
it up and over the wall. But to hit it,
hit it that hard and with the precision is so
difficult to do. I imagine say so very quickly because I've
never got close to doing it. But it was just
brilliant mate to see because it got everyone on their feet,
(22:30):
the whole crowd. I looking down on the groundstand everyone
was standing, you know, because they recognized, Wow, that was
some goal in some moment, just something that everyone who
was there will remember.
Speaker 4 (22:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
And it wasn't as though he's beaten just any old
goalkeeper either, you know, Dean Barzanis has been around for
a very very long time, both in the A League
and overseas. He's a he's a high quality goalkeeper and
he got fingertips to it. But it almost bends his
fingers back, didn't it as it sort of as it
went past and and missled in the in the top corner.
(23:02):
An absolutely brilliant goal from Lachland Brokers to say, his
first for his new club. Bar You had the opportunity
to catch up with with Lochland brook after the game
to discuss the goal and the performance, So.
Speaker 4 (23:14):
We'll start with it look tough after those workers look like.
Speaker 5 (23:16):
Anyway, Yeah, yeah, it was tough.
Speaker 6 (23:18):
Obviously hot, hotter than what we used to but yeah,
they're obviously a very physical team as well, so that
made it.
Speaker 5 (23:26):
A lot harder, of course. But yeah, obviously one point,
which isn't the end of the world.
Speaker 3 (23:32):
Steve made the point that everyone was a bit below
their best, but you still got the draw, so that's
a consolation. But when everyone is a bit flat, how
do you sort of try and lift yourself out of that.
Speaker 5 (23:43):
It's difficult. It's difficult, I think.
Speaker 6 (23:47):
Yeah, I mean for us to come out with a
draw when we feel like we've played not our best
at all, I think that is a credit to ourselves
of how high we keep our standards obviously, and yeah,
I think obviously we're very disappointed. I think when we draw,
it still feels like a loss. So yeah, we're not
we're not too happy with it. But yeah, it's it's
(24:08):
difficult in the moment obviously, you know, when things aren't
going your way, you know, to have a spark and stuff.
Especially with the type of game that it was very physical,
it's very hard to individually, you know, get on top
of things. But I think in the second half we
did do a bit better. Obviously Frannie as well with
that free kick would have been would have been excellent.
But yeah, I think, yeah, it is. It is really
(24:29):
difficult to sort of find that spark when the game's
like that.
Speaker 3 (24:34):
You tell us about your goal and how unfolded from
your from your point of view.
Speaker 6 (24:39):
Yeah, obviously won the free kick, and then it's something
that I try to practice fair bit.
Speaker 5 (24:47):
And yeah, I really needed a goal, so I thought
I'll just score.
Speaker 7 (24:51):
But ha, I mean it couldn't have been better, could it.
Speaker 5 (24:57):
Keeper could have got no touch on it, and it
would have been a bit better.
Speaker 7 (25:00):
Nah.
Speaker 5 (25:00):
I was obviously very happy with it. Yeah, it was.
Speaker 6 (25:03):
The pressure was slowly building on myself to score, obviously
not from others but from myself.
Speaker 5 (25:10):
So yeah, no, I'm really really happy with it.
Speaker 7 (25:12):
Where does that rank in terms of goals you've scored
in your career?
Speaker 5 (25:16):
Up there for sure, probably probably top two or three.
I think, yeah, definitely, I was. I was very happy
with that one.
Speaker 6 (25:23):
I haven't watched it back too many times yet because
I've been in the change rooms, but I love to
have a look and make a decision.
Speaker 3 (25:31):
When you take a free kick like that, do you
know straight away when you hit it?
Speaker 5 (25:35):
It's a weird feeling.
Speaker 6 (25:36):
I don't know how to describe it, but like it
when you connect with the ball, you always have a
feeling that it was and yeah, I felt felt as
soon as I kicked it that it had a good chance.
Speaker 5 (25:44):
So yeah, I'm just really happy with it.
Speaker 3 (25:47):
When you, as you say you won the free kick,
we're already thinking how you were going to do it
in terms of up over the wall and the way you.
Speaker 6 (25:55):
Sort of wait until you know the walls set up
and stuff and you can see where the ball is.
Speaker 5 (25:59):
And I was talking with Jesse.
Speaker 6 (26:02):
We're both on free kicks, and we're sort of just
deciding on what would be best. And yeah, with the
way it was lined up and how far.
Speaker 5 (26:09):
It was, we just thought I left it would be
better for it. And yeah, obviously turned out turned out
all right.
Speaker 7 (26:14):
And what do you think was missing in the final
third today?
Speaker 6 (26:20):
To be fair, we didn't we didn't create too much.
I don't think that's what was missing. I think just
second balls winning second balls pretty much throughout the whole game,
you know, that's the difference between getting chances. You know,
when you win the second balls, you can obviously go
and attack, but if you're second to the ball, you
have to defend a lot more. And I think that
was the case today. But yeah, I think obviously, you know,
(26:43):
when we did go forward, there was maybe a few
miscommunications or yeah, mis runs or whatever, but yeah, we
didn't have too much to sort of to sort of
go with. Yeah, it's a bit disappointing in that sense.
But yeah, like you said, we've got the we've got
the one point and that's you know, that's the main thing.
Speaker 7 (27:04):
How hard is it to play against Brisbane with their
combative physical start.
Speaker 5 (27:09):
Yeah, it's not easy, you know. I feel like that's
a part of the game that we can do.
Speaker 6 (27:14):
But in fantasy to them, they did do better than us,
and that.
Speaker 5 (27:18):
Especially in the first half.
Speaker 6 (27:19):
For the second half we were we were better, but yeah,
first half, IM sure they they outdid us in that.
So yeah, it's it's never fun to play against obviously.
Speaker 5 (27:31):
It's it's a difficult thing to.
Speaker 6 (27:34):
You know, to try a game, like I was saying before,
to try a game momentum when you're just getting smashed
all the time. But I think, you know, throughout the
Niner we held our own and obviously you know it
was one one and yeah, but I do think that
we could have been a bit better at that today.
Speaker 3 (27:49):
Just generally, how how are things going for you? How's
how's life here in Auckland everything else? You always look
really happy when we see you.
Speaker 4 (27:57):
How things go?
Speaker 5 (27:58):
Yeah, buzz them.
Speaker 6 (28:00):
I'm really enjoying my time here, you know, on the field,
off the field, everything's everything's really good.
Speaker 5 (28:05):
So yeah, very happy. I'm enjoying myself.
Speaker 3 (28:08):
And lastly, when you said before you were feeling pressure,
is that just sort of the standards you put on
yourself in terms of scoring a goal. You're feeling pressure
the standards you put on yourself you come to the club,
that's what you mean?
Speaker 5 (28:20):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 6 (28:20):
I mean I was saying the other day obviously, you know,
I talked to the coaches sorts of players. I don't
feel you know, I mean that the performances I feel
like I've had have been you know, good and solid,
and like you said, we were winning games and stuff.
Speaker 5 (28:34):
So there was less pressure.
Speaker 6 (28:36):
But you know, obviously you've got that internal where you
want to score goals, especially with the position.
Speaker 5 (28:42):
That I play, So yeah, there was a little bit
of pressure.
Speaker 6 (28:44):
That I was putting on myself, you know, obviously wanting
to score. But yeah, I'm off the mark now, so
that's amazing.
Speaker 2 (28:52):
Clearly your weight off Lachland Brooks shoulders. I think all
strikers will say, all attacking players when they come to
a new club, Sam cors Grove probably the same burge
that that, you know, will you just want to contribute
to wins. It's nice to get that first goal.
Speaker 4 (29:06):
Definitely, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (29:06):
It's just it's part of it. It's such a big part.
And he made the point he wasn't feeling the pressure
from coaches and teammates, but he was feeling a lot
of pressure within himself. So he's been good, he's been
good so far, but that could really help him to
you know, just just just help him to go to
(29:28):
go to the next level.
Speaker 2 (29:28):
It also creates uncertainty in the minds of opposition defenders
and goalkeepers in similar situations. Everyone knows, now Lockland Brook's
got that in his locker. He can he can bend
a free kick into the top corner, as can Francis Devrees.
Just about what about his one at the end. There's
an end on view on the Skysport coverage which is
just terrific. And it hasn't sort of skimmed off the
(29:49):
top of the crossbar. It's hit the crossbar pretty flush.
I mean that goes and all of a sudden, that's
the goal of the game. Not not locklan Brooks won.
Speaker 3 (29:58):
Well, that's that it was. It was so so far out.
I don't think anyone was thinking about a shot except
for Francis, you know, I think most of us were thinking, Okay,
he's gonna he's going to try and dig this in here,
but just hit it so well. I mean it was
going in. Do you think like, do you think the
keeper would have got to it?
Speaker 4 (30:18):
Chance?
Speaker 6 (30:18):
Right?
Speaker 4 (30:18):
Okay?
Speaker 2 (30:19):
And I think at that stage as well, Dean Buzanis
has got a bit of a hammy as well, because
I don't think he's taking his goal kicks. Then if
he is, he's not taking them very well. He doesn't
seem to move very freely towards it. I think he's
just he sees it go past them and just crossing
his fingers and hoping for the best. And it was
the best at the crossbar and rebound it away, but
it's a you know again, it's a great shot. Just
(30:40):
a couple of other things. An a league debut for
twenty year old Ollie Middleton, so a special moment for
he and his family. Seventeen year old Luca Vissilitch was
on the bench but an unused sub. It drops down
Auckland to second, behind Sydney FC, who won their fourth
straight match over the weekend three mill over Melbourne victory.
So Sydney FC are flying. Auckland dropped down to second,
they're still beaten. Just a word on selection for next week.
(31:03):
Dan Hall is available again, just the one match ban
for the red card he got in the derby. I
feel like he comes back into the eleven burge. I
think of he Pinaker and Jake goodwould write, I think
Hall's the one who plays if he's available. Do you
agree or do you think Dan Hall has to wait
now behind Pinaker? And Good would write.
Speaker 3 (31:23):
No, you're right, he's the automatic choice, she would have thought.
And it makes it easier when it's a drawer. Get
you know, if they had won three nil, it's a
much harder decision. But given they didn't play well, they
didn't defend particularly well. He'll definitely be back and it's
quite a tricky decision, i'd say for Corika because Nando
Pinaker was so good for all of last season.
Speaker 4 (31:45):
What did he miss? I think one game and the
whole season? Yep. But good Wright has been excellent as.
Speaker 2 (31:52):
Well, and I don't think Pinack is fully fit either,
is he? And that's not his fault. He's coming back.
I tend to agree. I feel as though Pinikcker came
into replace Hall through necessity the red card. I feel
like it's Pineker now who has to go back on
the bench and just wait and continue to gain fitness.
You know, he's been out for a while. You know,
(32:13):
he said after the derby he paid half an hour
in the derby that he was blowing after that. He
got the full ninety minutes yesterday, didn't he. So he's
he's got that under his belt. But yeah, I just
kind of feel as though it might be it might
be it might be him who drops out. Anyway, it's
a nice problem for Steve Corricker to have, of course,
to have some high quality options at his disposal. Yes,
(32:34):
So next up bottom place Newcastle at go Media Stadium again.
It's a Sunday kickoff at three o'clock.
Speaker 1 (32:41):
Good balls Beaver with Jason Paide and Michael Burgess.
Speaker 2 (32:45):
Now, while that was going on, well the second half
anyway down at the other end of the island at
pottydo A Park, it was the Wellington Phoenix women picking
up their first win of their new campaign, one nill
over Melbourne victory at Potty to A Park. Massive result,
first time the Phoenix have ever beaten Melbourne Victory. That
was the eighth time they've played them, they had never
(33:07):
beaten them. How big a win is this for Bev
Priestman first of all to get her first win and
such a big scalp.
Speaker 3 (33:15):
It's absolutely huge, just as this is the statement result.
You know, Melbourne victory have been the benchmark for so
many seasons really, so to win against them, but not
just that, to win with a team missing so many players,
and to win it the way they did with this
sort of you know, defensive display was exactly what they
(33:40):
needed and what she would have wanted.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
Yeah, the resilience they showed, as you say, without you
know a number of players. So I still know Lucie e leone.
We haven't seen her at all this season. One of
the imports, Samba, the Unapoli striker, missed this game. Even
though she was named in the initial squad, she did
not feature and has now missed the last two games.
No Macy Fraser for the foreseeable future. We know the
(34:02):
reasons behind that, and terrible news this week that both
Tessel Midock Andalusa Wynham are out for the season with
a c all injuries. What that meant, Burge was that
when Bev Priestman named her match day squad fest there
were two uncontracted academy players on the bench. That's how
deep she's had to go into her squad and it
(34:23):
also didn't really allow her to bring players on. In fact,
the only sub she made yesterday was Daisy Brazendal for
Emma Main. One sub. You're an to make five if
you want to. She only made one sub, So that
showed that you know that she really had to rely
on her experienced players that she has left. I thought
Alie Walker, Mackenzie Bowery, Maurissa Vandermere as a back three
(34:45):
in front of the Keersen just against the Melbourne victory
side that would just wave after wave of attack in
the second half. I thought they were tremendous and to
keep a clean sheet against a high quality side like that,
I feel like it'll have a massive impact across the season.
Give this team belief that they can hold out the
best attacks in the league exactly.
Speaker 3 (35:05):
Priestman's always built her teams on, you know, defensive platform.
You think back to what she did with Canada when
they won the gold medal, that kind of thing that's
always been where it starts. And for a young team,
a new team, it just must mean so much because
you knew that if Melbourne did get one, they'd probably
(35:26):
get two.
Speaker 4 (35:27):
It was that sort of feeling. But the way they
hung on it kind of reminded me.
Speaker 3 (35:30):
Of the football Ferns against Australia in Townsville where they
hung on, hung on for so much the second half
and they conceded right at the end and lost to one.
From memory, but I just thought it was remarkable the
way they kept finding a way, kept blocking shots, getting
(35:52):
in the way. The ersen was tremendous. Just so much
spirit as well.
Speaker 2 (35:58):
Yeah, big game for CJ Bott as well, captain of
the side. She's been playing in that sort of defensive
midfield position and she was just you know, just everywhere
as they looked to repel victory in the second half,
and as I say, the three center backs and all
of them really like I say, it wasn't like they
had fresh legs on there just the one sub made. So,
you know, so nine of those outfield players played ninety
(36:20):
seven ninety eight minutes because I don't know what Anna
Mari Kylie was doing with her what, but there was
only a few minutes out of it at the end.
It was close to one hundred minutes by the time
she finally blew it up. But yeah, but a very
satisfying result and what could be in the context of
the season a really important one. Seventeen year old p
of Lock the game's only goal after thirty eight minutes.
(36:42):
Manaia Elliott, who actually thought was very very good as well,
put the cross in evaded the keeper pe of Lock
at the far post, neatly finished. She becomes the Wellington
Phoenix's youngest ever women's goal scorer by one day, apparently
one day younger than Millie Clegg was when she scored
for the Phoenix during her time. You know, they didn't
(37:02):
have a have a heck of a lot other than that.
A couple of opportunities in fact before they scored their
first goal, but not a not a heck of a
lot in the second half. But you only need to
win by one, don't you, So so you just hope
that that that. Look, if they can get results like
this while they're while they're down on numbers, when those
who are available to come back do come back, it's
(37:25):
got a it's got to all go well, doesn't it?
Speaker 4 (37:29):
Well it do?
Speaker 3 (37:29):
I mean, I thought bears pre even made a good
point after the match when she said that sometimes young
players and a new team and get a bit bit
overwhelmed playing a big team. You know, victory. We all
know what they've done and how good they've been, and
it didn't feel like they did. So that's a really
good sign. And yeah, if you can bank bank some
(37:51):
points now and then when because when are we going
to see their best eleven? It's still what a few
weeks away, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (37:59):
We have to think unfortunately not going to see what
could have been. But when those who can come back
do come back. Look, I think the fact that that
Samba was named in the initial squad, whether that was
a red herring for Melbourne victory or not. I don't
know whether she was ever available. I guess we'll never know,
but I have seen some footage of her training Luci
(38:21):
e Leon. I haven't got any update thereon when she
might be available. And Macy Fraser, I guess is is
just a wait and see proposition, as she you know,
looks to work her way through the mental health issues
which currently have her outside of the of the playing squad.
So I guess what your hope is. And I know
the two things aren't related, but if the Phoenix start
(38:43):
to play well, start to pick up wins, maybe Macy
Fraser goes, hey, I think that might be quite a
cool place for me to be, and especially with a
list of win them out for the season, there's that
playmaker role that she might fit quite nicely into. So
so you hope that she she is available. I think
you know, Samba will clearly make a massive difference. You know,
she showed enough even in that first game to suggest
(39:05):
that she could you know, could create quite a bit
in the in the ninare League as far as goals
are concerned. So yeah, that's a very long winded answer
which gives you no real clarity. Has to win, they'll
have everybody of oitherable. I'm sure be Priest would love
to know.
Speaker 3 (39:20):
I think the other thing is it's just really good
for the club. I'm sure there's a bit of buzz
around the club, around the corridors of the club and
just in general at training and all that. If you know,
the men would be struggling a bit. But for the
woman to get that result, I think it's great for
the club and for those supporters that we're talking about before.
Speaker 2 (39:41):
Yeah, you must bounce into work. If after a win,
it's I'm sure on Monday is a lot more pleasant
when you've had a win. And look, if they weren't
able to pick up that win yesterday all of a sudden,
those first three games all at home, if they hadn't,
you know, registered a win after those three games, then
there would have just been a little bit of doubt
about whether the project, which has had a lot of
resource put into it, was actually going to work. Look,
(40:03):
it's only one win, and they've got a tricky little
period now where four of the next five games are away,
and as you correctly pointed out last week, they have
had challenges when it comes to picking up points and
particularly wins on the road away at Melbourne City next,
that's in a couple of weeks and they were minor
(40:25):
premiers last season, and then all the way to Perth.
I've got Sydney back at home, then Western Sydney away,
Brisbane away. So but then who knows buts You know,
often they say when a team gets together and spends
time together away, they get the chance to continue to
work on that culture, to integrate newer players into the
culture of the team, and away wins, if anything, probably
(40:47):
give you more in terms of that confidence boost than
wins at home.
Speaker 3 (40:52):
Well, we're seeing in other teams there were Pioney that
they go away and that's kind of the making of
them and they come back a few weeks later and
they talk about how they really got that cohesion, they've
got to know each other. They spend so much more
time together because you've got all this time to kill suddenly.
So and the main thing though, is that is surely
that defensive platform, because you know, they don't so far
(41:14):
look like they're going to be a free scoring team.
But if they can remain super solid defensively essen looks
has looked good, they're still unbeaten, then that'll go a
long way.
Speaker 2 (41:25):
Indeed, Yeah, it takes them all the way up to
fifth on the table and there's a couple of teams
above them who have played one more game of course
with the buy so it's all looking much rosier after
the win over Melbourne victory. No game this weekend for
the Phoenix women, but the football Ferns face Australia two
matches Friday night in Gosford and then Tuesday night and Adelaide.
(41:45):
Three Wellington Phoenix players and that squad Vacessen, c J
Bott and Lara Wall. So we wait with interest to
see how the national team goes against against the Matilda's.
The next game for the Wellington Phoenix women, as I say,
is Melbourne City away on December the seventh. That's a Sunday,
good chance for some of those injured players to recover
perhaps and to return. So this weekend it's the aleg
(42:08):
men's sides that will be our focus. The Wellington Phoenix
take on Adelaide five o'clock Saturday at Sky Stadium and
the Auckland FC men against Newcastle Sunday three o'clock at
go Media. Yeah, willing to willing to wager on two
wins and those James birds. For us to be talking
about dual victories when we reconvene next Monday.
Speaker 3 (42:30):
It would be wonderful. It would be wonderful, I have
to say. I mean, I seriously believe that the Phoenix,
it will just take. It's hard to imagine after seeing
it was pretty underwhelming, but it will just take a
moment to get them going again. And I've definitely got
the players that can do something.
Speaker 4 (42:47):
Will be tough.
Speaker 3 (42:48):
Auckland, I've never seen what I've really seen. Steve Croker
so angry as he was coming into the press conference.
He saw me, I picked the wrong daddy wearing these sandals.
He saw me were in these sanders, is what the
hell are? And I joked, I joked that I'd just
come from the beach. I hadn't, but I joked, and
he said, ah, you should have stayed there. I would have,
(43:10):
and so that sort of that was before the press
has started, so that's sort of yeah, he wasn't happy,
and fair enough, they said high standards. So I think
your point you made earlier about Newcastle could be really
in for a bounce back is a correct one.
Speaker 2 (43:25):
It's so funny that he was so annoyed that everything
annoyed him, including your footwear. I think that's a great
demonstration of the mindset of Steve Corricker. But the man
wears his heart on his sleeve, doesn't he. He's no
way he's going to sugarcoat it. He's really passed off
about the way his team have played, and there's no
way of he'd be terrible in a game of poker,
(43:47):
Absolutely no poker face Steve Corricker. He wears his heart
on his sleeve. And as I I think Auckland will
know all about it during the week, all right, Birch,
great to see if, as always we will and reconvene
next month for the next episode of Football Fever.
Speaker 4 (44:01):
Can't wait, mate, foo Football Fever.
Speaker 1 (44:08):
Football Fever.
Speaker 6 (44:11):
Mmmmmm
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