Canterbury United

Anyone know what time the game v ACFC kicks off next Saturday? 

Canterbury United went down to Auckland City 4 - 1 (HT 2 - 1) in a pre-season friendly at ASB Par this afternoon, Aaron Spain scored for Canterbury. The Dragons now face Southern United in Timaru next Saturday.

Seems quite emphatic. Only pre season but can you read much into strength of line up,  strength of opposition line up etc? 

Canterbury unfortunately looked decidedly average today. Slow to the ball, passes under hit and misdirected regularly and looked like a team of average individuals. Auckland were in another league by comparison.

Interesting at times Collett and Terris had a bit to say back, when Devine issued feedback/instruction from the sidelines. 

New player Rossi Nkoy showed some flair and a few nice touches when he came on. Terris and Mitchell worked hard.

Line up was: Knight , Terris, Collett, T Schwarz, Mitchell, Peers, John, Boss, Barton, Hoffman, Spain with Highfield, Allen, Wilson coming on as subs.

Aaron Clapham stayed on the bench.

Interesting. Auckland always going to be a challenge and good we got to play them preseason.

Couldn't make it today but will be there every game. Should give out season passes to YF and consistent Mainland appreciators... ?

Abbsolutely ! You HUGE fan !

southern united games are free this season

He ...and  CUFC too ? ....thats what I thought too ..,..

Clapham seen with arm in a sling after todays pre season game with SU, not one of his more enjoyable games also failing to score from the penalty spot in the first half. 

Not a good day then with the side losing 2 - 1 to Southern United, SU winning with a late pen. 

Claps likely to miss the oprning few rounds. Time for some the lads making their debuts to step up.

they're going to have to pull something out of the hat; even with clapham i'd say canterbury are weaker than auckland, tw, waitak, waibop and possibly hawkes bay on paper (depending on how good their multitude of new imports are)

The New boys despite the hype around some of them, have done little in pre-season to get hopes up. Though I want them to prove me wrong. No Clapham for six weeks, and with Morrison, Kelly gone the midfield's looking very soft. It's all up to you Cory.  Not much so far to show up front either, that will be able to replace Kamo and Marquez. Saying that Nkoy has shown some nice touches and O'Brien comes off a high scoring winter season, so fingers crossed.

I have my season pass, but it me thinks it will be a long season.

From Dragon's fb page

"New signing! Stu Kelly is confirmed to return to Canterbury United after his short stint with Cook Islands champions Puaikura over the last months. Stu will be added to the squad immediately."

Will be interesting to see the starting line-up for Canterbury United for tomorrow's game against WaiBOP, I can see over half the starting 11 making their debut's for The Dragons.

From The Press

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/10681158/Skills-brought-all-the-way-from-Burundi

Skills brought all the way from Burundi

BRENDON EGAN

Last updated 05:00 31/10/2014

STACY SQUIRES/FAIRFAX NZ

DRAGONDS DEN. New Canterbury United recruit Rossi Nkoy at training at English Park.

Canterbury United coach Sean Devine realised there was something special about Rossi Nkoy when he impressed against wily veterans as a 16-year-old schoolboy.

Devine has sound knowledge of Nkoy's football acumen, having formerly coached him at Northern Premier League club Manurewa in Auckland.

Most teenagers would be intimidated playing against national league regulars and former All Whites, but Devine said the lightning-quick striker never got rattled.

''His pace got him out of trouble a lot of the time. All these big bruisers couldn't catch him.

''He's definitely got plenty of ability, Rossi. He's got plenty of pace and an eye for the goal.''

Devine and Nkoy will be reunited this season at the Dragons, who begin their ASB Premiership campaign against WaiBop United at English Park tomorrow.

It will be the first time Nkoy, now 20, has played in the competition and he was relishing the chance to push for first-team football at Canterbury United.

''I'm trying to get on to the field and play as much as I can. I want to get some good experiences,'' he said.

Nkoy was born in the east African nation of Burundi, but moved to Auckland with his family for a better life, aged three.

This winter, he played for Western Springs in division one of the Northern League.

Western Springs, coached by former All Whites assistant Neil Emblen, won the title, earning promotion to the Northern Premier League for next year.

Devine sounded out close mate Emblen about whether Nkoy was ready for the ASB Premiership and they both agreed he would thrive on the challenge.

Like Canterbury United, Western Springs also play on an artificial turf, which suited Nkoy's blistering pace and sharp reflexes.

Devine said Nkoy was easily was one of the quickest players in the Dragons squad.

''He's a good asset whether he starts or comes off the bench. He's got that impact factor about him, which I like,'' Devine said.

''He's the sort of person, if he doesn't start, he can change a game for you.''

Nkoy fits perfectly with the style of football Devine wants the Dragons to play this summer.

The new coach has gone out of his way to inject greater pace and youthful flair into the squad.

Canterbury United scored just 22 goals in 14 games last season, the third fewest in the league. Devine knows the Dragons must find the back of the net more often if they are serious about cracking the top four. 

He is keen to play two strikers up front, which could mean increased opportunities for Nkoy.

Nkoy faced a baptism of fire in his first pre-season appearance for the Dragons last month against a near full-strength Wellington Phoenix side at Westpac Stadium.

Experienced A-League campaigner and All White defender Andrew Durante marked Nkoy for much of the clash.

''It was good to see what sort of level you need to be at to be playing at the top level,'' he said.

His confident performance drew praise from Phoenix gaffer Ernie Merrick.

Nkoy has packed a lot into his young career.

In 2012, he spent a year studying and playing division two college football at the University of Montevallo in Alabama.

''You got to see where you're really at. Physically, it's a different sort of game there. It was more fast paced. I really enjoyed it - the whole culture.''

- The Press

Good first up win, 2 - 0 over WaiBOP by Canterbury United.

Was a good result today, though Waibop were only average.

Bit disjointed at times, though early days. Mark Peers looked good out wide in midfield and has a bit of pace.

Thought defence did well, with Collett stand out. Pleased Kelly is back, as other than him, Canterbury looked soft in the middle.

Not sure why Mitchell only came on for last 20 mins, in my mind a better option than others who started.

Also to note that Knight started in goal in preference to Highfield.

Plenty to work on, but a good start to the season.

They reckoned 500 but I'm not sure.  Was a beauty day for it, none of my cricket mates went along as they were playing.

Yeah they said 500, but would say that was optimistic.

Was plenty of empty seats in the stand. Crowd was quieter than normal, even on the bank could only hear one voice.

I disagree about Kelly, thought he should've gone off instead of Boss when Mitchell came on. Kelly looked tired & his distribution (not the only Canty player) was poor, plus never stayed on his feet in challenges, that could hurt us against better opposition.

Nkoy looked dangerous when he came on, good reason to go down & watch, hopefully he gets more minutes in future

From The Press:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/10692499/Dr...

Nkoy did look good when he came on, as he did in pre-season. When he had ball at his feet he did well. Too often though he was expected to chase hopeful long balls pumped forward.

Still think Kelly adds toughness to the middle of the park. M John was too often easily knocked off the ball, and while Boss did well on the ball He didn't like to tackle much IMHO.

Mitchell should also be starting.

Well that was awful. 0-1 loss to Southern United, who deservedly won and probably should have by more.

I Could not work out what the game plan was meant to be. Again soft through the

middle.

Att of 373, but on that showing be lucky to get many back next time. I will

still be there however!

Agree Canterbury's game was rubbish.  

1st half.  No structure, no midfield.  Stu Kelly seemed a lone midfielder - whose fitness was lacking (no surprise with the work he had to do).  Struggled to get back at times.  Canterbury just hoofed the ball forward after a couple of passes amongst the back 3.   

2nd Half.  Tried to structure plays but you could read the frustration on the experienced player's faces as plays broke down.  Terris sometimes had his head in his hands - must be thinking what have I let myself in for.

Canterbury were muscled off the ball continually.  Otago were winning most 50/50s all game.  Canterbury need to build more agression.  The new younger players need to put a bit 'more grunt' into their plays.

Seemed the ship was rudderless - reminded me of the ' Halligan' days.  Please no.  

Otago on the other hand really wanted the win.  Was impressed with Mike Fridge - the Otago coach.   Certainly produced a great result.  He also appreciated the banter from the bank.  Good on ya 'Elvis'

When Cory Mitchell came on (why isn't he starting) in second half,  at least he got stuck in. Could not see where goals will come from this season.

Feel the same way baba, stu looks busy but is not going to score many goals at this level anymore.Kamo was always going to be hard to replace.

Goalscoring problem surely not!! Canterbury never had that before, 2 local guys have scored over 100 MPL goals between them yet have never had a second on the pitch for Canterbury because like previous years they would rather go looking out of town!! then to also have the MPL golden boot playing in a wing back role. FFS the coach was a former PRO and a STRIKER. I have stopped going to watch as what is the point I rather miss out on play offs with all local lads than maybe getting in with half of the squad not from here!!

What happened to me old mate Danny Boys? Where's he when you need him?

stunned to see Barton left out of the squad completely this week.

would be the best impact player we have, should even be starting 

Dragons no good without the human torch running the show

Agree ran the show for CU in Timaru as much as AC did in the first half of that game. Get rid of the old has beens doing nothing to make this a team worth watching.

Need Clapham and someone that can score from midfield beside him. Big problem is trying to walk ball into goal and not taking shots when offered chance.

How about picking a team of MPL players [not in CU squad] that would match up better against the like of SU, two games to them and two defeats. Anyone want to start. 

Wasn't at the game but doesn't seem like I missed a great deal

Here's my mainland XI Scottie minus CU players and youth players plus people like Danny Boys, Ash Wellbourne are they in the squad?

3-4-3

Struggling with a Gk

vim me old mate, summer off for me but il be on the cider slope cheering them on 

Agree need to replace Kamo!

Stu was holding midfield from where I was watching, Think Mitchell should start he works harder

This is the Fever way. Rate it.

You might get the big call up sooner or later. 

Enjoying this Satdy arvo football in the sun.  Been two cracker benders.