Auckland FC reserves for the Northern & National League (+ the other guys in the first team on scholarship deals).
Troy Putt was supposed to be in there as well, but I believe he is close to securing a move abroad. Should be some movement on this in the near future.
D'Hotman was one of better NZ players at the last U17s WC in 2023 from memory??
3-4 guys signed for the Nix almost immediately post that U17s WC in Indonesia. Some of them like Walker from the upper North Island.
That landscape has now changed with the arrival of NZ's 2nd ALM team. Gonna get real competitive now between the 2 clubs as they court NZ's best young talent.
Interesting Luka Vicilich has signed for AFC. Shows real co-operation between AFC & ACFC rather than the antipathy some were expecting.
maybe - or maybe Luka just wants to go pro and this is his best chance. ACFC are still the only TDP club in Auckland not to sign an MOU with Auckland FC (I think)
Sounds like AFC II are going to play home games at Fred Taylor Park.
You'd think players from AFC Reserves plus the Nix will make up the bulk of the NZ U20 squad at their WC this year.
Hopefully some good bedded in combinations, like Des's 2019 team had when they came mostly from - at the time two Handy Prem teams - Eastern Suburbs (Ole in disguise) and the Weenix.
I've mentioned it before but the 2 NZ ALM clubs are from now on going to really battle each other for NZ's best young talent. Especially U16s and under, who may still be at their homegrown clubs at that age.
A talented kid at the dining table with mum & dad, as either a Nix or AFC staffer trises to sell them on their club pathway
It’s the lack of age grade internationals that’s most surprising here. Many of the dudes have been around wider training squads but it’s curious that Matt D’Hotman is the only guy here from the last U17 World Cup squad (2023). They did have interest in Stipe Ukich but he went to Croatia instead. Otherwise, the problem seems to be that the Wellington Phoenix got there first. Aside from those who were already with the Nix at the time (7/21 players), the Welly Nix have since scooped up Dylan Gardiner, Matt Foord, and Nathan Walker from that group. Several others were already with other professional clubs. To be honest, there actually hasn’t been a very high ratio of Auckland-based players in men’s national youth selections for the last few years so this is something that Auckland FC will have to rebalance.
There are also no new signings from the 2024 Oceania U19 Championship squad, though in fairness AFC had already raided that group to sign McKenlay, Coulibaly, Phoenix, and Middleton... and there weren’t many fellas left once you discount the overseas pros and Wellington Phoenix lads.
They also only pocketed one player from last year’s Oceania U16s. That was Luka Vicelich and he’s the youngest of them all. Could be that contingent are still a bit young for these purposes beyond the one immaculately pedigreed exception. There were some huge prospects in that squad though. Nathan Martin of Fencibles. Michael Wong of Auckland United. Damion Kim of East Coast Bays. Van Fitzharris of Tauranga City. Don’t be surprised if Auckland FC go double-dipping when next year’s intake swings around.
They'd better not be basing the women's side somewhere it's impossible to get to without a car
AFC should partner with Auckland United and have the women’s team play at Keith Hay.
Could get a really decent set up there either side of the club rooms and even have sell outs which even allowing for a smaller capacity would be positive for the women’s game regarding atmosphere etc.
They'd better not be basing the women's side somewhere it's impossible to get to without a car
AFC should partner with Auckland United and have the women’s team play at Keith Hay.
Could get a really decent set up there either side of the club rooms and even have sell outs which even allowing for a smaller capacity would be positive for the women’s game regarding atmosphere etc.
I could see the womens team just baing called the Black knights. Much like the Nix women. Dont see why they need a gendered name different from the actual club?
They'd better not be basing the women's side somewhere it's impossible to get to without a car
AFC should partner with Auckland United and have the women’s team play at Keith Hay.
Could get a really decent set up there either side of the club rooms and even have sell outs which even allowing for a smaller capacity would be positive for the women’s game regarding atmosphere etc.
I could see the womens team just baing called the Black knights. Much like the Nix women. Dont see why they need a gendered name different from the actual club?
Not sure what that has to do with what I posted tbh??
They'd better not be basing the women's side somewhere it's impossible to get to without a car
AFC should partner with Auckland United and have the women’s team play at Keith Hay.
Could get a really decent set up there either side of the club rooms and even have sell outs which even allowing for a smaller capacity would be positive for the women’s game regarding atmosphere etc.
May be signing a few players from them too you'd guess
They'd better not be basing the women's side somewhere it's impossible to get to without a car
AFC should partner with Auckland United and have the women’s team play at Keith Hay.
Could get a really decent set up there either side of the club rooms and even have sell outs which even allowing for a smaller capacity would be positive for the women’s game regarding atmosphere etc.
Yeah I agree Keith Hay would be good, could easily set up simple scaffolding type small stands on the opposite side to the club rooms to help with capacity.
I imagine that for the first few games at least, the crowds for the Womens games will be larger before they eventually settle down to their average - so maybe for the first couple they may wish to do double headers with the men at Mt Smart or something - also would help with getting their fans familiar with the team
They'd better not be basing the women's side somewhere it's impossible to get to without a car
AFC should partner with Auckland United and have the women’s team play at Keith Hay.
Could get a really decent set up there either side of the club rooms and even have sell outs which even allowing for a smaller capacity would be positive for the women’s game regarding atmosphere etc.
I could see the womens team just baing called the Black knights. Much like the Nix women. Dont see why they need a gendered name different from the actual club?
Not sure what that has to do with what I posted tbh??
Maybe referring to my facetious footnote here? Being serious though, I completely agree with theprof regarding the team name - it's not all about gender.
I'm not familiar with Keith Hay Park myself so I can't comment on its suitability, but it looks to be easily accessible which is a plus - I really do like the atmosphere at Porirua Park, but as someone who doesn't drive it can be a mission to get to from my suburb (though to be fair, that says more about Wellington's public transport design which is all about carting commuters into the CBD).
AFC confirmed playing NL games at Fred Taylor for the season. Mid day kick offs when the 1st team play at 5pm. Wouldn't surprise me if they've seen all that surrounding space and thought hmm, we could build something there...
AFC confirmed playing NL games at Fred Taylor for the season. Mid day kick offs when the 1st team play at 5pm. Wouldn't surprise me if they've seen all that surrounding space and thought hmm, we could build something there...
Out in the freakin' wilds?
Ramming liberal dribble down your throat since 2009 This forum needs less angst and more Kate Bush threads
It was a good game actually. I was expecting a comfortable win for City following some big off-season recruits (Ingram, Connolly, Yoo, Manuel) and Taurangas drop-off in form at the end of last season.
Tauranga scored super early off a mistake and were worth there lead for most of the game. They were solid defending but still looked to get forward and managed to create plenty of chances. Some good young players like Van Fitzharris and Wellsbury up top. Their GK looked good also and his distribution was excellent.
City were off it. Pretty predictable stuff from them. None of them really stood out. I thought Ingham and Ellis were pretty poor.
A couple of red cards for City and they really lucked out with the 98th min winner for Bevan. Tauranga had plenty of chances to win it also. But fair play, getting the job done.
Overall, hard to look past City this season with their squad. Tauranga should be mid-table however imagine they will struggle if they lose some key players like Molloy or Brennan to injury.
With so much fixture congestion and travel between Northern League, OFC Champions League and Club World Cup, it wouldn't surprise me to see them fade massively come the National League as fatigue sets in
Auckland FC reserves just kicked off against a very-good-on-paper Fencibles side. Fencies 1-0 up; insane ball by Adam Paulsen (yes, brother of) to unlock the defence.
Lineup looks like:
Jones Ranui, Mackay, Coulibaly, Phoenix Middleton, McKenlay, Mitchell, Naidoo Bidois, Taylor
Fencies look an absolute handful. I had them as a top 4 dark horse at the start of the season after seeing some of their signings and they’re living up to it right now. 16 y/o Nathan Martin (U17 international) starring for Fencies
Auckland FC reserves just kicked off against a very-good-on-paper Fencibles side. Fencies 1-0 up; insane ball by Adam Paulsen (yes, brother of) to unlock the defence.
Lineup looks like:
Jones Ranui, Mackay, Coulibaly, Phoenix Middleton, McKenlay, Mitchell, Naidoo Bidois, Taylor
Fencies look an absolute handful. I had them as a top 4 dark horse at the start of the season after seeing some of their signings and they’re living up to it right now. 16 y/o Nathan Martin (U17 international) starring for Fencies
Fencibles doing very good things in the Auckland space, especially with the younger players coming through. Mackay for AFC coming out of Fencibles too.
Not bad for a side that's only just been promoted to the Northern League.
Fair to say the AFC boys probably not used to playing on artificial turf?
Auckland FC reserves just kicked off against a very-good-on-paper Fencibles side. Fencies 1-0 up; insane ball by Adam Paulsen (yes, brother of) to unlock the defence.
Lineup looks like:
Jones Ranui, Mackay, Coulibaly, Phoenix Middleton, McKenlay, Mitchell, Naidoo Bidois, Taylor
Fencies look an absolute handful. I had them as a top 4 dark horse at the start of the season after seeing some of their signings and they’re living up to it right now. 16 y/o Nathan Martin (U17 international) starring for Fencies
I'm sure the novelty will wear off, and of course the ALM on a break, but Port adding a bit of atmosphere to the domestic scene.
They go 3 for 3 in the Northern League, but it all sounds like pretty unconvincing stuff.
You'd rather win unconvincingly than lose and look good doing it! Pretty heavy fixture congestion for ACFC so far too, so as long as they peak for OFC CL and CWC they'll be happy.
Tomorrow, @AucklandCity_FC take on @fc_auckland at Kiwitea Street and here’s what Ivan Vicelich had to say about the chance of facing his son in the Dettol National League 🗣️
Auckland City were dismal. Few chances at the beginning of the first half which they didnt take, then as the game went on the young lads started really challenging them. Stupid red card and it was over.
Auckland City were dismal. Few chances at the beginning of the first half which they didnt take, then as the game went on the young lads started really challenging them. Stupid red card and it was over.
It shows you what happens when Auckland City aren't the big boys in town anymore. Trust me, both the NZ A-League teams will find a way to ensure that one of them are OFC's only team at the 2029 CWC.
Anyway 19 yr Wellsbury one to watch. You'd think Auckland FC would also be having a look. Bit of talent coming out of Tauranga now.
Morgan Wellsbury scored 3 goals and added an assist in Tauranga City's 7-0 demolition of bottom feeders Manurewa. Wellsbury now has 9 goals in 980 minutes, and is top scorer in the New Zealand Northern League. https://t.co/2pYf0dR53xpic.twitter.com/OPTU1P4KoE
Morgan Wellsbury (CF, '06, 🇳🇿) of Tauranga City has potential to move onto an MLS Next Pro club, according to @wilkins_caleb24. Read his report on the striker here:
Auckland Reserves have signed Benjamin Perez Baldoni, played for the NZ U16s in their recent tournament and has already played senior football at Ellerslie. Scored on debut too.
A few other signings in the Northern League this weekend. Jesse Gage moved from Auckland City's reserves to play for Bay Olympic. Manurewa have had new players just about every week and this week they signed Jake McCoy from South Auckland Rangers. East Coast Bays had two new players, Adam Paulsen who they picked up from their opponents Fencibles and Ben Hooper from their youth set up
