September 6, 2024 • 7 mins
Paul Ifill's in pursuit of back-to-back Chatham Cup football titles - in different coaching colours.
A year after leading Christchurch United to the national club title, Ifill is now Wellington Olympic mentor, who square off with Auckland City for the 2024 title this evening.
Paul catches up with Adam Cooper to preview the final.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Waldegrave from News Talk SEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
He looks to be on the All Sport Breakfast. Great
heavy company this morning. Well club football, it's Sena Stage
Chat's North Harbor Stadium. Today it's the finals of the
two national club knockout competitions, Kate Shepherd Cup and Chatham Cup,
the two real historic aspects of the club football scene
through the year in terms of all the different competitions
(00:32):
many of the clubs around the country play. So for
the Chatham Cup and the Men, it is Wellington Olympic,
last year's National League winners taking on Auckland City. Great
rivalry sort of beginning between these two teams who are
sort of very much the benchmark two sides in national
football at this very moment. Paul Eifel joined the Wellington
(00:52):
Olympic coaching staff this year, having coached christ Church United
last year to the Chatham Cup title. So Paul Eiffel
is going for back to back Chatham Cup titles as
a coach, but with different teams. Paul joins us now
ahead of night's match at seven o'clock. Paul, good morning
to you and we'll firstly, given the long season after
winning the Central League in Wellington rather comfortably, how ready
(01:14):
as the team for this one tonight?
Speaker 3 (01:17):
Yeah? Obviously we've we won the league a few weeks back,
so I think the boys have had one eye on
the cup. It's been difficult to sort of keep us
with an eye on the league, I suppose, but we
finish the league well and we go into the Cup
to the confidence, so definitely looking forward to it. There's
been a good vibe around the camp this last week
and I know the boys are ready.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
And fitness wise. Have you been able to do much
resting of players given the league, the Central League and Wellington,
has you know, continued right up to this point.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Yeah, we have, Luckily because we wont league a few
weeks back, we've been able to work manage that and
make sure that nobody's suspended going in. And there's been
a few knocks over the last couple of weeks, but
we've managed to get everybody as fit as can be
I suppose after a long, long season, and everybody's ready
to go. So I've got a full fit eighteen to
pick from.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
What is the strength of your side right now? Do
you feel approaching this final.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
I think just that we've been on I think we
lost game two in the Central League and then we've
dually winn and won twenty one games in a row,
which you know, I've never been part of, coached or
played with the group that ever manage that, so you
know that takes them doing so. I think you know,
if you're not confident after twenty one wins, you're never
going to be confident. So I think it's just that
feeling of us making sure that we're ready, knowing that
(02:23):
we're ready, I suppose, and I think we have that
because of the un we've been on.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
You and here it's a pretty successful group of players
at the start of the season. They won the National
League last year. What kind of changes have you tried
to make, as small as they may be through twenty
twenty four so far with the Olympic team, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
It's been tweaked. I think Gruper did a fantastic job
last year with the group, and we didn't have a
really good sort of leadership group. We lost a few,
so we've had to bring some younger players in that
I think have really helped and they understand what the
club's all about. And they sort of gelled well together,
so we're quite lucky in the group that we've got.
And then you've just got to put that sort of
cut onto the pitch. And I think it was a
case of knowing that Olympic have always scored goals, could
(03:02):
we keep them out at the other end. And I think,
you know, the clean sheets that we've kept this year
is probably the most pleasing thing because I feel like
we've always got goals in us, so if we can
keep them out the other end, we've got a chance.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
I'm sure you've been involved in many football rivalries as
both a player and coach. Tell us how a team
like Olympic approaches this game with Auckland City true too,
true footballing rivals of recent years of the national scene.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
Yeah, I mean I don't really think about it too much.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
Really.
Speaker 3 (03:26):
I think whenever you play Auckland, you know it's going
to be a tough game. There. They're a team that
managed to hang in the game even when they're not
playing well, and much of the time may are playing well,
so it's going to be difficult. And I look back
to the start of this season, we play them in
the Oceana League playoffs and we drew one three three
and we lost the other one one Now, so that
we know it's going to be tough, we know what
they bring, but we've done our homework and I think
(03:48):
we're in a much better place now than we were then.
So you know, I firmly believe that we can go
up there and lift the cup.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
And heading to Auckland's there on I guess their home
toof it has been a neutrallly decided venue for the
last couple of months. But how do you feel about
playing at Auckland team at Auckland.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
Yeah, it is. I like the fact that they call
it neutally decided. It seems to be in the same
place every year, but there you go. It is what
it is and we know what we need to do
is at the end of the day, it's a glass pitch.
It will still be the same size as most pitchers.
The goals doesn't move, so which got to make the
most of the day out and make sure that we
come out on the right side of it.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
Two thousand and nine was the last time Wellington Olympic
lifted the Chatham Cup. Obviously, there's been success in recent
years with the likes of National League. But what does
do you think the cup mean to a club like
Olympic should you be successful today?
Speaker 3 (04:35):
So it's you know, the magic of the cup and
the players that are still involved in the club, who sorry,
who went to that final, you know, still get together,
come to a lot of our game and talk so
much about that final. It would be nice for a
new group to be able to do the same thing.
And I think it's one of those that you know,
you do remember the cup finals, don't forget. Don't get
me wrong, you do remember the leagues, but the cup
finals that special bit of magic. So it'd be nice
(04:56):
to have that with this group.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
And especially for you christ Church United, a club close
to you, the reigning champions from last year. Are your ian?
Getting your name on this a fair bit, Paul?
Speaker 3 (05:05):
Yeah, Look, two finals in a row is magnificent. I'd
love to make it two wins in a row. But
I try not to think too much about it. You know,
it's more about the players than it is about me.
If I managed to get back to back, great, But
you know, I really want this for the players and
it'll be class to get across the line because I
think the boys deserve it. They've had a fantastic season
for something.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Where it's a winner takes all games so much on
the line. Are you looking to change up your systems
from what's you know worked through the league format this year,
or Orchester stick to what's worked for.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
You again, we've been and I think we'll stick to
what we've been doing and there won't be too many changes.
But you've always got something up your sleeve us both
for a final because you never know when that might
come in handy. So you know, we do have a
plan A and a B, and if need be, we
go to see. But you know, I'm hopeful that the
boys can implement what we've asked them to do in
the last couple of weeks of training. I think we've
been lucky because we won the league early. We've been
(05:52):
out of plan and prep properly for this over the
last couple of weeks and actually use the Central League
game as a sort of precursor to the final and
just what's.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Your gut telling you to expect a final under lights
tonight where teams are sort of looking for those chances
early or maybe holding back.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
But to get things other way, we'll be having to
go from the first whistle and I'm sure will be
the same. So I don't think it's gonna be CAZy.
I think he'll be a good game between two sides
trying to lift it up.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
And if there are people around the country, Paul, that
are going to be watching Olympic for the first time
on TV or at the ground tonight in Auckland, anyone
in particular week we should be looking out for as
sort of a promising player for the future or someone
to note their performances from the year.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
Hard to pick anybody out. I think they've been you know,
as a group, they've been fantastic, yea, from front to back.
I mean there's a couple of young lads that will
be on the bench that I think is going to
go on to be very good players. We've got boy
called Eyce of Fringe who scored a few goals for
us this year. He's only not just nineteen and he's
been fantastic. We've got another young player in Adam Supick
that will likely start the game. He's a left back
(06:50):
or a left center back again only nineteen. And then
you know you've got the household names that have been
around your Hamish Watson's and Jack Henry Sinclair Justin Gully,
Ben Matter, I'm lucky that I've got a very good
squad and there's plenty to watch. I'm hoping we'll find
out in a few hours, I suppose.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Well indeed Well Paul, congratulations on the wonderful season with
the Olympic team so far this year and Wellington. I
know this is a big one for you, So all
the best for tonight and thanks for chatting here on
News Talks EB.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
No ways, thanks a lot, Paul I fool coach.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
Of Wellington Olympic looking to go back to back as
a coach after coaching christ Church United to Chatham Cup
Chatham Cup glory last year. The final tonight seven o'clock
Wellington Olympic taking on Auckland City.
Speaker 1 (07:29):
For more from the All Sport Breakfast with Darcy Watergrave,
listen live to News Talks B on Saturday mornings or
follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Waldegrave from News Talk SEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
He looks to be on the All Sport Breakfast. Great
heavy company this morning. Well club football, it's Sena Stage
Chat's North Harbor Stadium. Today it's the finals of the
two national club knockout competitions, Kate Shepherd Cup and Chatham Cup,
the two real historic aspects of the club football scene
through the year in terms of all the different competitions
(00:32):
many of the clubs around the country play. So for
the Chatham Cup and the Men, it is Wellington Olympic,
last year's National League winners taking on Auckland City. Great
rivalry sort of beginning between these two teams who are
sort of very much the benchmark two sides in national
football at this very moment. Paul Eifel joined the Wellington
(00:52):
Olympic coaching staff this year, having coached christ Church United
last year to the Chatham Cup title. So Paul Eiffel
is going for back to back Chatham Cup titles as
a coach, but with different teams. Paul joins us now
ahead of night's match at seven o'clock. Paul, good morning
to you and we'll firstly, given the long season after
winning the Central League in Wellington rather comfortably, how ready
(01:14):
as the team for this one tonight?
Speaker 3 (01:17):
Yeah? Obviously we've we won the league a few weeks back,
so I think the boys have had one eye on
the cup. It's been difficult to sort of keep us
with an eye on the league, I suppose, but we
finish the league well and we go into the Cup
to the confidence, so definitely looking forward to it. There's
been a good vibe around the camp this last week
and I know the boys are ready.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
And fitness wise. Have you been able to do much
resting of players given the league, the Central League and Wellington,
has you know, continued right up to this point.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Yeah, we have, Luckily because we wont league a few
weeks back, we've been able to work manage that and
make sure that nobody's suspended going in. And there's been
a few knocks over the last couple of weeks, but
we've managed to get everybody as fit as can be
I suppose after a long, long season, and everybody's ready
to go. So I've got a full fit eighteen to
pick from.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
What is the strength of your side right now? Do
you feel approaching this final.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
I think just that we've been on I think we
lost game two in the Central League and then we've
dually winn and won twenty one games in a row,
which you know, I've never been part of, coached or
played with the group that ever manage that, so you
know that takes them doing so. I think you know,
if you're not confident after twenty one wins, you're never
going to be confident. So I think it's just that
feeling of us making sure that we're ready, knowing that
(02:23):
we're ready, I suppose, and I think we have that
because of the un we've been on.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
You and here it's a pretty successful group of players
at the start of the season. They won the National
League last year. What kind of changes have you tried
to make, as small as they may be through twenty
twenty four so far with the Olympic team, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
It's been tweaked. I think Gruper did a fantastic job
last year with the group, and we didn't have a
really good sort of leadership group. We lost a few,
so we've had to bring some younger players in that
I think have really helped and they understand what the
club's all about. And they sort of gelled well together,
so we're quite lucky in the group that we've got.
And then you've just got to put that sort of
cut onto the pitch. And I think it was a
case of knowing that Olympic have always scored goals, could
(03:02):
we keep them out at the other end. And I think,
you know, the clean sheets that we've kept this year
is probably the most pleasing thing because I feel like
we've always got goals in us, so if we can
keep them out the other end, we've got a chance.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
I'm sure you've been involved in many football rivalries as
both a player and coach. Tell us how a team
like Olympic approaches this game with Auckland City true too,
true footballing rivals of recent years of the national scene.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
Yeah, I mean I don't really think about it too much.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
Really.
Speaker 3 (03:26):
I think whenever you play Auckland, you know it's going
to be a tough game. There. They're a team that
managed to hang in the game even when they're not
playing well, and much of the time may are playing well,
so it's going to be difficult. And I look back
to the start of this season, we play them in
the Oceana League playoffs and we drew one three three
and we lost the other one one Now, so that
we know it's going to be tough, we know what
they bring, but we've done our homework and I think
(03:48):
we're in a much better place now than we were then.
So you know, I firmly believe that we can go
up there and lift the cup.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
And heading to Auckland's there on I guess their home
toof it has been a neutrallly decided venue for the
last couple of months. But how do you feel about
playing at Auckland team at Auckland.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
Yeah, it is. I like the fact that they call
it neutally decided. It seems to be in the same
place every year, but there you go. It is what
it is and we know what we need to do
is at the end of the day, it's a glass pitch.
It will still be the same size as most pitchers.
The goals doesn't move, so which got to make the
most of the day out and make sure that we
come out on the right side of it.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
Two thousand and nine was the last time Wellington Olympic
lifted the Chatham Cup. Obviously, there's been success in recent
years with the likes of National League. But what does
do you think the cup mean to a club like
Olympic should you be successful today?
Speaker 3 (04:35):
So it's you know, the magic of the cup and
the players that are still involved in the club, who sorry,
who went to that final, you know, still get together,
come to a lot of our game and talk so
much about that final. It would be nice for a
new group to be able to do the same thing.
And I think it's one of those that you know,
you do remember the cup finals, don't forget. Don't get
me wrong, you do remember the leagues, but the cup
finals that special bit of magic. So it'd be nice
(04:56):
to have that with this group.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
And especially for you christ Church United, a club close
to you, the reigning champions from last year. Are your ian?
Getting your name on this a fair bit, Paul?
Speaker 3 (05:05):
Yeah, Look, two finals in a row is magnificent. I'd
love to make it two wins in a row. But
I try not to think too much about it. You know,
it's more about the players than it is about me.
If I managed to get back to back, great, But
you know, I really want this for the players and
it'll be class to get across the line because I
think the boys deserve it. They've had a fantastic season
for something.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Where it's a winner takes all games so much on
the line. Are you looking to change up your systems
from what's you know worked through the league format this year,
or Orchester stick to what's worked for.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
You again, we've been and I think we'll stick to
what we've been doing and there won't be too many changes.
But you've always got something up your sleeve us both
for a final because you never know when that might
come in handy. So you know, we do have a
plan A and a B, and if need be, we
go to see. But you know, I'm hopeful that the
boys can implement what we've asked them to do in
the last couple of weeks of training. I think we've
been lucky because we won the league early. We've been
(05:52):
out of plan and prep properly for this over the
last couple of weeks and actually use the Central League
game as a sort of precursor to the final and
just what's.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Your gut telling you to expect a final under lights
tonight where teams are sort of looking for those chances
early or maybe holding back.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
But to get things other way, we'll be having to
go from the first whistle and I'm sure will be
the same. So I don't think it's gonna be CAZy.
I think he'll be a good game between two sides
trying to lift it up.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
And if there are people around the country, Paul, that
are going to be watching Olympic for the first time
on TV or at the ground tonight in Auckland, anyone
in particular week we should be looking out for as
sort of a promising player for the future or someone
to note their performances from the year.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
Hard to pick anybody out. I think they've been you know,
as a group, they've been fantastic, yea, from front to back.
I mean there's a couple of young lads that will
be on the bench that I think is going to
go on to be very good players. We've got boy
called Eyce of Fringe who scored a few goals for
us this year. He's only not just nineteen and he's
been fantastic. We've got another young player in Adam Supick
that will likely start the game. He's a left back
(06:50):
or a left center back again only nineteen. And then
you know you've got the household names that have been
around your Hamish Watson's and Jack Henry Sinclair Justin Gully,
Ben Matter, I'm lucky that I've got a very good
squad and there's plenty to watch. I'm hoping we'll find
out in a few hours, I suppose.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Well indeed Well Paul, congratulations on the wonderful season with
the Olympic team so far this year and Wellington. I
know this is a big one for you, So all
the best for tonight and thanks for chatting here on
News Talks EB.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
No ways, thanks a lot, Paul I fool coach.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
Of Wellington Olympic looking to go back to back as
a coach after coaching christ Church United to Chatham Cup
Chatham Cup glory last year. The final tonight seven o'clock
Wellington Olympic taking on Auckland City.
Speaker 1 (07:29):
For more from the All Sport Breakfast with Darcy Watergrave,
listen live to News Talks B on Saturday mornings or
follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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