Auckland City FC - Thanks a Trillion

Looks like backstage at the Muppet Show

Funny how they improved when Butler got sent......

and why would a coach leave the league's 2nd top goal scorer on the bench until the 66min? (who then scores Waitak's only goal 5 mins later 10 v 11)

Lowdon, good young player also on bench, why? Looked the goods when he came on facing a train wreck.

Stansfield also did well off the bench but must disassociate himself from from his gobby dad or move overseas to progress further.

Lowdon ...strange squealing , flapping thing ...thought it was some strange manifestation of the Scums coaching mindset ... apparently its a person ..., well ,  there you go ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdDLh5M_xw0&hd=1

Thats a poor challenge by Butler. I'm not quite sure why he is complaining.

What's up with the pitch?

Wonder who will take over next season

Apparently G ( I tort I saw a puddy tat ) Morgan is now keen to throw his cash into an ACFC bid for a second NZ team in Oz .....whew ....  Sanfords dont have that many fishhooks......

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/soccer-football/news/article.cfm?c_id=86&objectid=11219695

Is the league that fragile that another team playing in Auckland in a different competition will ruin it? I imagine it'd still exist as it does now, and the playing level may even increase as more see an opportunity to showcase themselves for a gig at a professional club, of which there would now be 2 in nz, one of which is centred in a massive population base - it may even help create the need for a third Auckland team in the ASBP. 

There is my case to say it would be positive for the league. You're yet to detail how exactly it would bring the whole league down (across the entire country) if there were an A league side in Auckland. Especially since the Phoenix did nothing of the sort - and in fact the nix did a lot of the positive things that I mentioned above to an extent and that would only be an even greater effect in Auckland. 

it would kill central i would have thought - can't have players drop back from A-League to play NRFL - having said that apart from a Chatham Cup win Central havn't been a real force in the league for a while.3

In general I think it would help the game in Auckland - a new auckland franchise with hopefully more kiwi's involved and less marquee players from ACFC dropping into local football for more cash than they get in the ASBP...   

For an Auckland A-League franchise to work it has to be Auckland City that go in, rather than an entirely new franchise. Only problem would be the number of imports.

My problem with ACFC morphing into an A League franchise is how will players be able to move between the two competitions? There is still the Fifa 30 day stand down rule. Is the ACFC of the ASBP going to literally be the reserve A League side? Will it, if full of fringe players who have professional contracts with the Auckland A League side, still be able to play in the O League? If not, and without the O League winnings spread around the ASBP, I really can't see the national league surviving.

If there are two A League sides in NZ then surely they will become the focus of all the media attention and NZF interest. Won't the natural inclination be to let the ASBP disappear and simply leave it as a clear winter club competition and then a two-sides in the A League summer competition? I really don't see how the ASBP and O League can fit in?

If I'm wrong I'll be pleasantly surprised, but I love the ASBP and fear for its survival. I don't think NZF will care a jot for it if there's an Auckland-based A League side.

Auckland isn't the only team that can win the O league you know. 

Is there much of a rivalry between Auckland and Wellington?

If Auckland get a team in the HAL do you think it would drive up average attendance? Would there be a derby feel to the games when you meet?

A local rivalry might leverage increased attendances for both teams.

There is an intense rivalry between West Auckland (Waitakere) and Auckland City.  Who is best in Auckland is top of our minds.

Aucklanders do not seriously feel animosity towards Wellington or the rest of the country for that matter.  We are too busy fighting for market share of whatever we are doing, with Oz, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai.

So in that sense, if you wanted to blow $8-12 million a year each, two Auckland teams might attract a sell out crowd.

Meanwhile there's the local Cup to be won and it will be standing room only!!!!

Of would be if it wasn't for a certain tropical cyclone. I suppose high winds and lashing rain will make the Wellington boys feel right at home. Don't fancy their flight up on Sunday morning though.

They flew up today

The pitch is set be delightfully soggy, if the wind sticks around there could be some comically entertaining stuff going down tomorrow.

No doubt it will get ugly if the surface is a bit greasy too. We've all seen it happen in the ASBP

Thinking more cards..

The Statue SCORES !!

GOOD LORD what a total fuck fest , radio loops itself , utube shits itself , ....OFC should concentrate on laughable refs , shit grounds and crap travel arrangements ....this interweb shiite is way beyond them ....

FT ACFC 3 Nadi 0

The final whistle sounds

90' Berlanga is being stretched off with what looks like a serious injury

90'RED CARD Nadi's Drudru leaves the field of play after receiving a direct red from Billon

90' A challenge sees Berlanga go down as well as Nadi's Drudru

Tackle on Berlanga was horrendous, resembling Commin's Menapi's tackle on Ricki Van Steeden a few years back.

+1

At least they are trying. Can't blame them for local internet issues.

Is Paul Temple still an FDO and head coach of Waiatakere?