Dan Keat (Unattached FC)

Dan absent from the squad for the 2-0 home win v Ostersunds on the weekend.

Must be injured?

Finally back in the squad. 81st minute sub and scored in the 89th minute. Falkenberg 1 point off the top of the table.

http://www.soccerway.com/matches/2013/08/18/sweden/superettan/falkenbergs-fotbollsforening/ildrottsforeningen-kamraterna-varnamo/1420888/?ICID=PL_MS_06

I wonder if he's had any interest from any clubs during the summer transfer window.. iirc he stated in an interview that a reason for moving to the swedish 2nd division was because it had quite a lot of exposure to the rest of europe etc..has done alright since he's been there so would be interested if he's had any leads..

He's scored a few goals so hopefully people are taking notice.

Would we want him at the Nix?  Would he be better than Lia?  Would he want to come?  so many questions.......

Keat back in action after injury lay-off - saw action on the weekend as 64 min sub in 3-0 home win v Jonkopings Sodra:

http://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/09/29/sweden/superettan/falkenbergs-fotbollsforening/jonkopings-sodra-ildrottsforening/1420948/

Had a brief run in injury time as sub v GAIF the previous weekend. His first game back from injury was 19/9/13 as a 76 min sub v Landskrona.

Falkenbergs lead the Swedish Second Div. by four points from Orebro now, with only four games left in the season.

Be great if they get promoted and we have two Kiwis in the Swedish top league...

Played the last 20 min of a 2-1 win as Falkenberg is very close to earn promotion from superetan to the allskvan with 2 games left

http://fr.soccerway.com/matches/2013/10/19/sweden/superettan/falkenbergs-fotbollsforening/varbergs-bois-fc/1420963/

austin10 said:

Would we want him at the Nix?  Would he be better than Lia?  Would he want to come?  so many questions.......

I think he's gotta be better than Lia. Why Merrick kept Lia, I'll never know, he has got to be one of the weakest players in the Nix.

Full 90 for keat with one game remaining in the season. Hopefully they can earn promotion next weekend

http://fr.soccerway.com/matches/2013/10/26/sweden/superettan/degerfors-ildrottsforening/falkenbergs-fotbollsforening/1420971/

Full 90 in their final game of the season, won 4-2 so promoted to first division next season.

http://www.soccerway.com/matches/2013/11/02/sweden/superettan/falkenbergs-fotbollsforening/angelholms-ff/1420979/?ICID=PL_MS_06

His contract ends next month

http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/dan-keat/profil/spieler_149881.html

No doubt theyll keep him

Excellent news for Keat. We will now have two kiwis playing 1st Div Sweden next year.

How is this guy not in the squad for the playoff and christie is???

The last corrupt pardon of president herbert before he leaves office

Keat re-signs with Falkenberg for a further two years. Top flight next season. Good stuff. Article says Phoenix were interested but who knows

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11164255

Excellent news for him.

Next stop.. AW's recall

Keat would have been a good pickup for the Nix IMO. Certainly a better option than what we have currently. He is a good player....but he seemed always to have a bad run with the AW's when he got picked while recovering from injury or arrived and had little buildup with the team. I remember him playing for La Galaxy against the full Real Madrid side in a friendly a few years ago and thinking...this guy is the future AW DM. He is still youngish so hopefully he gets a better run. He is still our only real DM playing at a decent level

Where does Finland rate in comparison to the A League?

Its Sweden and the league is ranked 24th in uefa between scotland & norway

Finland 36th

Sorry yes I meant Sweden.

From what I saw of him in an AWs shirt, I do wonder how he would go in the A League. There is a case either way for him being hit or miss.

Sweden's top league is definitely better than the A-League - I've watched some of Craig Henderson's games for Mjallby this year and the standard is pretty good.

Full game of the two top teams this season Malmo v AIK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXdV5d4wflU

(other full game links below the video)

Even the Swedish second tier which Keat's team won this year, isn't too bad:

Here's extended highlights of Keat's side away to Hammarby in Stockholm in a 3-0 win. This was a good win because Hammarby are usually  a top flight side (Swedish champions 2001) but got relegated  in 2009  (their stadium holds 33,000 - biggest in the second tier). Keat was out injured for this game - but still gives some idea of the Second Div. standard (great third goal):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_bt4pVHbAs

Falkenberg's ground is tiny - this fan footage of a match gives a good view (Keat plays in this one - #21, see a fan wearing a "Keat" shirt too):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-sLgpgx1oo

top-scorer Victor Skold's goals this season: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61gmConrUYA

Huge news at Falkenbergs with Sweden, Barcelona, Celtic, Man Utd, Feyenoord legend Henrik Larsson appointed manager for their Swedish top flight debut season. Will focus attention and attract top players to the club. Have just signed Ghanaian striker Godsway Donyoh on loan from Manchester City.

Dan Keat and team's first day of training with Larsson was yesterday - new season starts March.

http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=swe/news/newsid=2032446.html

"Former Sweden striker Henrik Larsson has been appointed coach of Falkenbergs FF, who will make their Allsvenskan debut in 2014.

Hans Eklund, who led Falkenberg to promotion, has left for Kalmar FF, creating a vacancy for Larsson on a rolling one-year contract. Since ending his prolific playing days with Helsingborgs IF, Feyenoord, Celtic FC, FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC, Larsson coached Landskrona BoIS between 2010 and 2012, and worked as assistant at the club where he began his career, Högaborgs BK.

"When times get tough, that's when you show how good you are," said the 42-year-old Larsson, whose new side have also lost key players from their second-tier title campaign this year. "Of course it's a difficult assignment. But you've got two choices. Either you give up or just do what you have to. We choose to go on and believe in what we're doing."

http://translate.google.co.nz/translate?hl=en&sl=sv&u=http://www.svenskafans.com/fotboll/henrik-larsson-jag-vill-ha-spelare-som-brinner-495207.aspx&prev=/search%3Fq%3DHenrik%2BLarsson%2Bfalkenbergs%26rlz%3D1C1AFAB_enNZ468NZ468%26espv%3D210%26es_sm%3D93

HENRIK LARSSON: "I WANT PLAYERS WHO ARE PASSIONATE"

 The first thing he said when he arrived at the well-attended press conference was: "Are you surprised or what?"followed by a broad smile.When the cameras started patter he exclaimed, "you get some profile pictures? '.Henrik Larsson was in a very good mood.
- This will be a fantastic challenge.I'm very happy to be here.This is a chance for me to develop as a coach and a person, says "Henke".
He does not want to change so much in the team's playing style.
- We will continue with the game that worked extremely well this year and try to improve it.Players feel safe with our current way of playing, says FFF's first premier league coach ever.

He is well aware that the FFF lost starting players Victor Shield, Niclas Eliasson andDanny Landervik - and that these need to be replaced.
- We're looking at opportunities to recruit players.Håkan and I started to check some of it today, saying "Henke".
Simultaneously, FFF not to solicit together a new team.Those who took the team up in the headlines will also get the chance to play in the highest league.
- We're not blowing anyone's budget.FFF will remain even after 2014.

-" I will not play at all.Playing career is over, he observes.
Several columnists have already condemned the FFF's chances of success in the headlines.Henrik Larsson wants to disprove them.
- It will be a tough year, but we will never give up.It is in tough times one should show how good you are.We will show that we belong in the headlines.
He continues:
- Either you give up or you are running on.We decide to drive on and believe in this.

Training camp in Turkey last few weeks and Falkenberg have lost just one match the last month in friendlies against all opponents. Dan scored in win v Varberg:

22/3: Falkenberg FF - IFK Värnamo 1-2
(Godsway Donyoh)

14/3 Torpedo Zhodino - Falkenberg FF 0-0

7/3 Varberg BOIS - Falkenberg FF 1-2
(Dan Keat, Calle Wede)

1/3 Örebro SK - Falkenberg FF 0-2
(Stefan Rodevåg, Rasmus Andersson)

2/22: Falkenberg FF - Ängelholm IF 1-0
(Andrés Thorleifsson)

Club official website best for news and results:

http://translate.google.co.nz/translate?hl=en&sl=sv&u=http://www.falkenbergsff.se/&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dfalkenbergs%2Bff%26rlz%3D1C1AFAB_enNZ468NZ468%26espv%3D210%26es_sm%3D93

First game of the new season Sunday (Monday am NZT) vs. mighty Malmo.

Will be Falkenberg's debut in Sweden's top flight.

Keat play full 0-3 defeat against Malmo.

Match report:

http://translate.google.co.nz/translate?hl=en&sl=sv&u=http://www.falkenbergsff.se/&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dfalkenbergs%2Bff%26rlz%3D1C1AFAB_enNZ468NZ468%26espv%3D210%26es_sm%3D93

Sounds like Falkenberg did well considering their top league debut was away to the champions - held them out for 74 mins and had their chances. Their first-ever home game in the top flight next weekend. Smallest club in the league (ground capacity 5288).

Sadly, football was not the talking point the first weekend. The whole first weekend of the season was overshadowed by the killing of a Djurgarden supporter by Helsingborg supporters in street fighting in Helsingborg before their game. Has cast a pall over the whole league. Seem to be going through similar to British football in the 1980's.

The Djurgarden - Helsingborgs game went ahead until the 41st minute when news came through the fan had died from his injuries, angry away fans invaded the pitch and riot police moved in to prevent further clashes and protect the Helsingborg players and management from being killed.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2592756/Swedish-league-match-abandoned-Djurgarden-fan-dies-assaulted-way-match-against-Helsingborg.html

"Henrik Larsson, the former Celtic, Barcelona and Manchester United striker who played for Helsingborg in the Swedish league and now trains  Falkenberg, said the violence has to stop. 

'What the hell are we doing? I mean, we're supposed to be going to football,' an emotional Larsson told TV station CMore after his Falkenberg side fell to a 3-0 defeat some 60 kilometres away from Helsingborg in Malmo.

'Now there is a mother and a father sitting at home, crying their eyes out. It's awful. We need to get rid of it from Swedish football,' he said.

The 42-year-old also questioned the wisdom of serving alcohol to supporters.

'I went through town (Helsingborg) to collect my son. At a quarter to ten in the morning there were a load of Djurgarden supporters waiting for the pubs to open. Should we open the pubs for these matches?

'Whose responsibility is it? Is it the clubs? Is it the supporters themselves? Or should society go in and take it?,' Larsson asked at a news conference.

'It's time for someone to start waking up, because I don't want it in Swedish football, or in any football.'

KEAT THE TOAST OF FALKENBERG AS HE SCORES WINNER IN CLUB'S HISTORIC FIRST HOME GAME IN TOP FLIGHT:

Keat scores on 12 minutes with header from a corner in 1-0 win v Brommapojkarna for the club's first-ever Premier League goal.

http://svenskfotboll.se/arkiv/allsvenskan/tt/2014/04/falkenberg-vann-och-skrev-historia/

Interview with Dan:

"History has been written on a small sports field in Halland...by a New Zealander."

Calle Wede struck corner in the eleventh minute, Keat met with the head and make the score 1-0 to the home team against the visiting Brommapojkarna.

It's nice to be a part of FF history, says the 26-year-old midfielder from New Zealand.

He and his teammates were well organized throughout the match and straighter in his game than BP who tried to play cards, and more creatively.

We will sometimes have to win ugly this year. Today was a good test, and I think we did it, says Dan Keat.

We worked hard and did what we could defensively. Obviously, we want to play better and I think we will do it. But it's a good sign that we can win games even when we are not one hundred percent playing the football we want to play.

TT: Do you think you played ugly today?

I do not think it was the most beautiful game. We can play much better, and I think it's a good sign."

More details:

http://translate.google.co.nz/translate?hl=en&sl=sv&u=http://www.falkenbergsff.se/&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dfalkenbergs%2Bff%26rlz%3D1C1AFAB_enNZ468NZ468%26espv%3D210%26es_sm%3D93

http://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/04/05/sweden/allsvenskan/falkenbergs-fotbollsforening/ildrottsforening--brommapojkarna/1617169/

Good future sources of news on Falkenbergs FF:

Official club site:

http://www.falkenbergsff.se/

Swedish Premier League "Allvenskan" website:

http://www.allsvenskan.se/

Three straight losses for Falkenberg after their first ever win in the top flight on April 5:

Keat played the full 90 in all three:

http://int.soccerway.com/teams/sweden/falkenbergs-fotbollsforening/2171/

Leaves them 14th on the 16 team table after five rounds.

Things don't get any easier, playing mighty Gothenberg away on the weekend.

Full 90 minute but Falkenbergs loss to IFK Geteborg (1-0)

Fourth straight loss leaves Falkenberg struggling at third-to-bottom on table with one win and five losses so far this season.

Dan played the full ninety.

Dan back in the side for this morning's 1-0 home win v Djurgardens after coming off injured in 56th min. in 1-1 draw with Gefle.

Missed the following 0-0 away draw with Orebro. Subbed off at 69 mins this morning.

http://int.soccerway.com/teams/sweden/falkenbergs-fotbollsforening/2171/

http://translate.google.co.nz/translate?hl=en&sl=sv&u=http://www.falkenbergsff.se/&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dfalkenbergs%2Bff%26rlz%3D1C1AFAB_enNZ468NZ468%26espv%3D210%26es_sm%3D93

Falkenberg have set a Swedish record after scoring in 45 straight home matches now.

Dan came on as a 58 min. sub in the 3-0 away win vs. Norrkoping on the weekend.

http://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/05/15/sweden/allsvenskan/ildrottsforening-kamraterna-norrkoping/falkenbergs-fotbollsforening/1617230/

Falkenberg now 10th on the 16 team table and undefeated in their last four matches (two wins, two draws).

Doing okay for the smallest club in the league (ground capacity 5406) and in their first ever season in the top flight.

Larsson linked with the managers job at former club Celtic

Keat on as 74 min. sub in 1-1 home draw with Hacken:

http://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/05/24/sweden/allsvenskan/falkenbergs-fotbollsforening/bollklubben-hacken/1617238/

Falkenberg now tenth on 16 team table.

1-0 away loss for Falkenberg v Helsingborg on June 1st with Keat starting

Then a one month break in the league for the World Cup.

Allsvenskan resumed last weekend:

Keat on as an 81 min sub in 1-1 home draw with Halmstad July 7

Falkenberg now 12th on 16 team table (above Craig Henderson's former club Mjallby who languish at 14th) 

A very productive couple of weeks for Falkenberg:

Just over a week ago Keat on as a 63 min sub in 1-1 away draw to Craig Henderson's old club Mjallby.

Then yesterday one of the best results in the club's history, a 4-1 demolition of Swedish powerhouse AIK Stockholm.

AIK are second on the table. Their ground holds 53,000 - Falkenberg's holds 5500 or 10% of AIK's !!!

Dan Keat played the full 90:

http://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/07/20/sweden...

Falkenberg up to eighth on the 16 team table.

Full 90 for Dan in the 3-0 away loss to AIK and the 5-2 home loss to Malmo.

Remained on the bench for the 3-2 away win over Brommapojkarna

http://int.soccerway.com/teams/sweden/falkenbergs-...

Dan Keat, putting his hand up after being looked over for the All Whites squad, scored this morning in a 3-1 loss to Kalmar.

Falkenberg only one position above the relegation playoff position, and two points off the automatic relegation spot. 11 games left in the Swedish top flight.

Kalmar 3 - 1 Falkenberg