South Island United and South Melbourne both staring down the prospect of finishing this circuit winless... though I fancy SM against Vanuatu, think Hekari will be very tough for SIU
South Island United and South Melbourne both staring down the prospect of finishing this circuit winless... though I fancy SM against Vanuatu, think Hekari will be very tough for SIU
Given that AFC is already 7 points ahead (I know they have played 1 game more than some teams) at this stage. It's quite embarrassing IMO.
South Island United and South Melbourne both staring down the prospect of finishing this circuit winless... though I fancy SM against Vanuatu, think Hekari will be very tough for SIU
Given that AFC is already 7 points ahead (I know they have played 1 game more than some teams) at this stage. It's quite embarrassing IMO.
And there are a lot of leagues around the world where one team is running away with it...
South Island United and South Melbourne both staring down the prospect of finishing this circuit winless... though I fancy SM against Vanuatu, think Hekari will be very tough for SIU
Given that AFC is already 7 points ahead (I know they have played 1 game more than some teams) at this stage. It's quite embarrassing IMO.
It’s a new comp that was never going to be perfect in season one. Vanuatu coach resigns then changes his mind. PNG coach resigns.
All within the first few weeks. The Island teams are obviously going through a massive learning curve, on and off the field. They should improve on field quickly. Off field that back office stuff could take awhile to reach “professional” standards
But fair play to AFC II they have recruited very smartly, with depth in every position. Including some highly promising Kiwis. I reckon the Nix should be looking at someone like Ronan Wynne. Though were the Wynne family (incl Deklan) a bit aggrieved when Ronan was let go when at the Academy??
I can't imagine these Black Knights players are on long contracts for this competition, at least the ones that arent academy players. I wonder, would they finish up end of the Pro League season? Could be room for us to snap a few up in the offseason.
South Island haven't been as impressive but David Yoo might be a good shout? Has experience but has also risen fast and lived up to the expectations of a higher level every time. Yes he's 26 so not exactly a spring chicken in football transfer onsell terms but could be a good depth option to have for our side.
The Island teams are obviously going through a massive learning curve, on and off the field. They should improve on field quickly. Off field that back office stuff could take awhile to reach “professional” standards
I guess that’s part of the point of the OPL, other than the obvious sportswashing/vote buying? Sure it wouldn’t sound as good if it was called the OFC Development League, but if it has that effect then OFC have arguably done their job despite all the (justified) criticisms.
I can't imagine these Black Knights players are on long contracts for this competition, at least the ones that arent academy players. I wonder, would they finish up end of the Pro League season? Could be room for us to snap a few up in the offseason.
South Island haven't been as impressive but David Yoo might be a good shout? Has experience but has also risen fast and lived up to the expectations of a higher level every time. Yes he's 26 so not exactly a spring chicken in football transfer onsell terms but could be a good depth option to have for our side.
Yoo tries to make things happen, he's good to watch. Better than OVH IMHO.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
I remember after the AWs beat Fiji 7-0 in their WC qualifier at the ROF last year, a few days later I read one of the Fijian players (Thomas Dunn who had played at Eastern Suburbs?), said something along the lines that Fiji could have beaten the AWs if they had better prep leading into the game etc etc
It was some story along those lines, where this player had a certain warped view of how good Fiji are, in the world of football.
Think a lot of it stems from their history in the game, having played a lot longer than the other sides in the OFC, population, and the fact that they've actually beaten NZ and Aus a few times (almost exclusively in the 1980s).
But time has moved on now, it's all about the professional game, Australia has hundreds of pro players while NZ will have over 100 now if you count the Pro League, and Fiji has had barely any before Bula FC came into existence.
Football moves fast and if you don't develop you get left behind.
You only had to be at Kiwitea St and Fred Taylor when the Fijian teams came to play to know that their supporters - and probably management - are pure romantics when it comes to hope and expectations for their boys. Was the same at Eden Pk.
You only had to be at Kiwitea St and Fred Taylor when the Fijian teams came to play to know that their supporters - and probably management - are pure romantics when it comes to hope and expectations for their boys. Was the same at Eden Pk.
In fairness I’d take that over cynical negativity any day, even if it does set the supporters up for a lot of disappointment in between the occasional fairytale.
You only had to be at Kiwitea St and Fred Taylor when the Fijian teams came to play to know that their supporters - and probably management - are pure romantics when it comes to hope and expectations for their boys. Was the same at Eden Pk.
In fairness I’d take that over cynical negativity any day, even if it does set the supporters up for a lot of disappointment in between the occasional fairytale.
Facebook post above suggests a lot of negativity though.
You only had to be at Kiwitea St and Fred Taylor when the Fijian teams came to play to know that their supporters - and probably management - are pure romantics when it comes to hope and expectations for their boys. Was the same at Eden Pk.
In fairness I’d take that over cynical negativity any day, even if it does set the supporters up for a lot of disappointment in between the occasional fairytale.
Facebook post above suggests a lot of negativity though.
I remember Lautoka losing to Team Wellington in the first of the two OFC finals and their media outlets going off about them. Reporting veering on personal attacks on players.
Think a lot of it stems from their history in the game, having played a lot longer than the other sides in the OFC, population, and the fact that they've actually beaten NZ and Aus a few times (almost exclusively in the 1980s).
But time has moved on now, it's all about the professional game, Australia has hundreds of pro players while NZ will have over 100 now if you count the Pro League, and Fiji has had barely any before Bula FC came into existence.
Football moves fast and if you don't develop you get left behind.
It's also a country that's been on a steady decline the last 40 odd years. Military coups, corruption and a big exodus of it's Indian heritage demographic - a proper brain/money drain.
To add to that point when Fiji football was stronger most of the clubs or regional teams had Indian backing. With their diminishing influence economically has come diminishing investment in football.Remembering some of the large crowds at O League matchs at fred Taylor anf Kiwitea the fijian followers were largely Indian.I don't know participation figures but I suspect in the past football was bigger than rugny. Doubt if that is the case nowcoochiee
LT01
Think a lot of it stems from their history in the game, having played a lot longer than the other sides in the OFC, population, and the fact that they've actually beaten NZ and Aus a few times (almost exclusively in the 1980s).
But time has moved on now, it's all about the professional game, Australia has hundreds of pro players while NZ will have over 100 now if you count the Pro League, and Fiji has had barely any before Bula FC came into existence.
Football moves fast and if you don't develop you get left behind.
It's also a country that's been on a steady decline the last 40 odd years. Military coups, corruption and a big exodus of it's Indian heritage demographic - a proper brain/money drain.
It's tight in the middle of the table, and they have only scored the solitary goal in four games, but the Solomon Kings are really one of the better sides to watch.
They've just had 10-15 minutes of sustained pressure against Auckland, pinned them right back. Nothing clear cut, but some decent efforts on goal and half chances. Just feels like they overplay things just a fraction at times though.
Really good passing and movement, a little flair on show as you'd expect from the island sides, and these guys just run all day. If they could put the ball in the net they'd be bloody brilliant!
