Francis de Vries (Auckland FC | A-League)

MetalLegNZ

All coaches have favourites... move on.

Also with limited time, I can understand bringing in players with an understanding of your structure. 

So we aren't allowed to criticise bizarre selection decisions? Strange position to take, everyone was heavily in favour of doing it when we had Huddo.

Nelfoos

MetalLegNZ

All coaches have favourites... move on.

Also with limited time, I can understand bringing in players with an understanding of your structure. 

So we aren't allowed to criticise bizarre selection decisions? Strange position to take, everyone was heavily in favour of doing it when we had Huddo.

I'd call likes of De Jong, Wilkins & Kalua marginal picks, rather than bizarre. And in my mind Huddo was some unfairly maligned for casting the net, as they talent pool was so much thinner then to now. Found a 2nd tier Dutchman with a Kiwi mum, why not have a look.

I'm happy to see De Jong picked, and hopefully he can somehow get a release/loan from AmaZulu, as it appears he's wasting his time there. But likes of Rogerson & Collier could agrue they are more worthy.

And De Vries definitely has a case that he's doing more club wise than either Wilkins or Kalua at the mo. Maybe one of the journos can find out where Wilkins is fitness wise. Surely it's a fitness/injury issue that he ain't getting any playing time at his 3rd tier Danish club. Maybe there is a newsworthy story on how the ES Handy Prem winning side of a few years ago, now has 6 guys graduate to the AWs. With a bit of an update on De Jong & Wilkins.

I guess where guys like De Vries have some hope, is that I imagine Hay will stay in Europe post the October window, killing time until the November window (apparently AWs will have games then as well??). So presumably Hay will view live some football in Swedish 2nd tier, Finnish top tier etc etc. Some time with Declan at Torslanda. Chatting up likes of Dyche etc, asking for Woodsman to be released for OFC tourney in March etc etc. Maybe even a short trip Stateside to check out the USL crew.

I'm picking de Vries and Stanger are in, with M. Boxall and Tuiloma staying in the MLS. 

Unless they are already on the plane....

Full game de Vries as Värnamo (1st) draw 1-1 at Vasalund. Joel Stevens subbed on at 79 mins (score 1-1).

Värnamo are 7 points ahead of Helsingborg (3rd) with 6 games to go. Top 2 teams are promoted. These 2 teams play each other early Nov, in what could be a huge game. GIF Sundsvall (2nd) are 4 points behind Värnamo but with a game in hand.

Värnamo certainly in the box seat for promotion. But they almost stumbled at the end of last season, when going up from the 3rd tier to 2nd tier. Some useful experience to call upon, as they try to make it consecutive promotions.

de Vries lined up at LB. I went back and checked his last 4 starts. All at LB.

Edit - seems Minnesota have definitely let Boxall go to Bahrain. Same with Timbers for Tuiloma.
https://www.mnufc.com/news/four-loons-called-into-international-duty
https://www.timbers.com/news/timbers-pablo-bonilla-felipe-mora-called-up-for-fifa-world-cup-qualifiers-bill-t

Nice yarn in Flying Kiwis. ODT with the inside goss.

"What started as a nice little run from Värnamo has continued and continued and now with only six games remaining in their season they’re four points clear in first place (albeit having played one game more) and perhaps more importantly are seven clear (with equal games played) of third and nine clear of fourth. The top two spots are automatic promotion to the top flight in Sweden. Värnamo only just got promoted to this level so to be on the brink of another jump is incredible.  

Plus they’re doing this with a lot of the same players from the third tier... players like Francis De Vries (who has played the third most mins in the squad) and Joel Stevens (who is in and out sometimes but has started more games than he’s been on the bench for). Keep in mind that they did stumble pretty badly down the stretch last season... but recent form suggests they’ve learned a few lessons there. If they can hold on then it’ll be the first time in IFK’s history that they’ll find themselves in the Allsvenskan.

Joel Stevens to the ODT: ‘‘It’s pretty crazy. None of us really expected to be doing so well, especially after last year coming up a league, and we have a pretty similar team. It’s pretty awesome. ‘Winning the first couple of games... confidence is a big key in that role.’’

It's all looking good for Värnamo (1st). A 2-1 win at GAIS (12th). Full game de Vries as a LB, Stevens an unused sub.

Värnamo lead by 6 pts from GIF Sundsvall (2nd) and most importantly by 10 pts from Helsingborg (3rd). The top 2 teams are promoted.

Värnamo have 5 games left. GIF Sundsvall & Helsingborg both with a game in hand, 6 games left.

Värnamo host Garbett's old team Falkenberg (2nd last) next. Win that and promotion could be within touching distance.

Värnamo (1st) down 2-0 at home against Garbett's old team Falkenbergs (2nd last). Still in the first half so time for a comeback.

De Vries starting. Stevens not in match day squad.

Värnamo steal it with a late, late winner. 3-2 it finished. Full 90 for de Vries.

More importantly, Värnamo go five points clear at the top as 2nd placed GIF Sundsvall dropped points against Brage on the weekend.

If Helsingborg lose tomorrow against GAIS, then Värnamo will only need two points from their final four matches to be guaranteed promotion. Although they're firmly in the driver's seat now to win the league outright.

From Flying Kiwis. De Vries  self-uploaded season highlights.
https://youtu.be/Xeu4AmkR8rg

Based on the highlights, the boy can cross a ball. Based on the highlights his team is woeful at finishing!!

Celebrates his AW's call up by grabbing a goal in the 28th minute against Eskilstuna, Värnamo currently up 2-0 approaching H/T.

More importantly, if the result holds, Värnamo will officially be promoted to the top tier Allsvenskan as they'll move 10 points clear of Helsingborg with 3 games remaining in the season.

Nearest challengers for the league title, GIF Sundsvall play relegation threatened Falkenberg tomorrow morning NZ time.

Looks like they won 2-0 and are +7 points on 3rd (who have played one extra game and so should only have a maximum of 6 points to get from the next 2 games) so if top two are promoted they have done it. 

newzealandpower

Looks like they won 2-0 and are +7 points on 3rd (who have played one extra game and so should only have a maximum of 6 points to get from the next 2 games) so if top two are promoted they have done it. 

No according to Soccerway they are 10 pts on 3rd with 3 games left for both teams, so YH is right promotion confirmed.

Very happy few days for De Vries, who got through a full game.

Stevens an unused sub.

From Flying Kiwis. After a few years up there would seem he speaks Swedish pretty well now.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1455248739359240202

Anyway hope he gets some game time in the UAE. Deserves a crack. Might be his only shot with the AWs with Sutton, McGarry & Wilkins maybe all available to backup Cacace in 2022.

coochiee

From Flying Kiwis. After a few years up there would seem he speaks Swedish pretty well now.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1455248739359240202

Anyway hope he gets some game time in the UAE. Deserves a crack. Might be his only shot with the AWs with Sutton, McGarry & Wilkins maybe all available to backup Cacace in 2022.

He's also a CB too, so good chance for him here to put his best foot forward. Looking at the bigger picture - Reid (33) Boxall (33) and the slightly younger (But feels like he's been around forever!) Tommy Smith at (31). This could be the chance to stake his claim at International level over the long term. Almost succession planning if you will. Also a good option to cover LB in case of injuries and unavailability in future squads too, as already pointed out.

Screenshot_2021-11-07-01-04-03-31_40deb401b9ffe8e1df2f1cc5ba480b12.jpg 417.86 KB

Starting on a potential league winning day, as above, Stevens starts from the bench - Hosting Helsingborg (3rd) who will be out to boost their automatic promotion chances with a victory. 

Having already secured promotion to the Swedish top tier last week, Värnamo will be keen to wrap up the league title. Their best ever achievement in their history. They've previously won Division 1 Södra titles (Ettan, or 3rd tier) in 2010 and 2020. 

Impressive work from a small club if they were to win today, winning back to back promotions by taking out their respective leagues.

Whatever happens, it will be good to see De Vries plying his trade in the Allsvenskan next season. He's been ever-present for Värnamo over the past 3 seasons, and there is every indication that will continue next season. Stevens has become a bit of a peripheral figure lately so he may or may not be in the frame, but we'll find out soon enough I guess.

Game over and Värnamo are Superettan champions! 🏆

A come from behind 3-1 victory, with Stevens coming on late, and nabbing the third, full 90 for De Vries. 

Promises to be quite the weekend (again) for the club, it's region and the supporters. No doubt a few sore heads waking up tomorrow. 

Excellent initiative from the club this weekend too by allowing all fans free entry to today's game. Good times all round. Top class. 👏

Good yarn. Who doesn't like this sort of feel good tale, as de Vries himself says a 'Leicester' type season. The 7 min video in the article will bring a smile to your dial.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/126862484/is-it-real-francis-de-vries-helps-tiny-swedish-club-reach-topflight-status

Seems a really nice chap 

Season over in Swedish 2nd tier. Unfortunately Värnamo (1st & promoted) & the Kiwis don't get the finish the want with a 1-2 home loss to Norrby (4th).Stevens an unused sub & de Vries full game.

Norrby with the higher game day motivation, as they were chasing 3rd spot (promotion playoff), but even with the win suffer heartbreak of missing playoff spot on GD.

Värnamo still win league clearly by 6 points, from GIF Sundsvall (2nd also promoted). FYI - Matt Garbett's former club Falkenbergs (last) got relegated to 3rd tier. Consecutive relegations for them, polar opposite of Värnamo with back to back promotions.

Presumably de Vries will be back at small town club Värnamo, next season showing his stuff in the Swedish top flight.

Over 30 match season, he was in 28 match day squads, with 23 starts. I think it was early season when he was on the bench, so ever present as they chased promotion, 2nd half of season. 1 goal recently in the game they sealed promotion, plus an AWs cap. Dream year!
https://us.soccerway.com/players/francis-de-vries/217899/

IFK Värnamo extends with 27-year-old Francis de Vries. Francis came to IFK Värnamo before the 2019 season and since then there have been a total of 86 league matches in the white jersey. The contract extends through the 2022 season.

Sports Manager Enes Ahmetovic:

• We are very pleased that Francis De Vries chooses to continue playing with us in IFK Värnamo. Francis is a much appreciated person in both the association and in the city. In step with the rest of the association, he has taken great strides, which has carried all the way to the New Zealand national team. I look forward to seeing his constant running on the left wing also in the Allsvenskan. We are talking about a wise and skilled player whose leadership qualities will do us good in the coming years as well.

Francis de Vries:

• It feels good to extend the contract with IFK and to be able to continue on the wonderful journey we have had the past two years. I look forward to working with everyone in the club for the coming season and I will do my best for the club during our first year in the Allsvenskan.

Article translated from their website. Excellent reward for de Vries for his 3 years service to Värnamo so far. Sounds like a much loved and respected figure at the club.

No word yet on Stevens extending his time at Värnamo, but we will probably figure that out over the course of the next couple of months.

Starts from the bench, but comes on just before the hour mark as Värnamo win their Svenska Cup match 2-1 over 3rd tier Angelholm.

https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/02/20/sweden/svenska-cupen/angelholms-ff/ildrottsforeningen-kamraterna-varnamo/3707201/

62 mins in a 1-0 win over 3rd tier GAIS (Dan Keat's old club) in the Svenska Cupen. Same score when de Vries came off. 

Tough trip to Malmö next. That will be an interesting guide to how promoted Värnamo might go in their first season ever in the Allsvenskan

Are we expecting him to be a starter?

MetalLegNZ

Are we expecting him to be a starter?

He was last season in the 2nd tier. Depends if they have signed anyone new who can play LB, now that they have been promoted.

On the bench as Värnamo travel to Swedish heavyweights Malmö in pre season Svenska Cupen.

Useful guide maybe to how promoted might go in their first season ever in the Allsvenskan (starts 3rd April).

Edit - 2-0 win for Malmö (2-0 at HT). Doesn't look like De Vries got on.
https://www.sofascore.com/team/football/malmo-ff/1892

New Allsvenskan season starts. Värnamo lose 2-1 at IFK Göteborg.

De Vries subbed on at 75 mins, with same score.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2022/04/03/sweden/allsvenskan/ildrottsforeningen-kamraterna-goteborg/ildrottsforeningen-kamraterna-varnamo/3730830/

Starting as Värnamo host their first ever Allsvenskan game. Opponents Sirius

Edit - full game for De Vries in a 0-0 draw. Värnamo earn their first points in the Allsvenskan 

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2022/04/11/sweden/allsvenskan/ildrottsforeningen-kamraterna-varnamo/sirius/3730837/

Starting as Värnamo (11th) travel to Elfsborg (12th, who lead 1-0).

Edit - finishes 4-1 Elfsborg. Full game FDV

It looks like he’s the captain

coochiee

Starting as Värnamo (11th) travel to Elfsborg (12th, who lead 1-0).

Edit - finishes 4-1 Elfsborg. Full game FDV

Credited with the assist on the loan goal for Varnamo. 

Starting as Värnamo (14th) host league heavyweights Malmö (4th).

Edit - full game in a 0-0 draw. Nice result for Varnamo against last years champions. They will need to grind out a few results like that you think through the season to stave off relegation fears

They host bottom team Degerfors next, very early in the season but maybe already a 6 pointer if wins are to be scarce this year as expected

de Vries starting as Värnamo (14th) host Degerfors (16th & last)

Edit - Värnamo lead 1-0 at HT. Early days in the season, but you'd think already they need to beat fellow strugglers like Degerfors in their home games, to stay up.

Edit 2 - finished a 2-0 win for Värnamo and they go up to 12th. Full game de Vries

Away to Norrköping this weekend, who have won the Allsvenskan a number of times, but this season struggling 2nd last.

FYI - Degerfors had a 26 yr old Costa Rican midfielder Diego Campos who spent 2 seasons each at Chicago Fire in the MLS, and Norwegian club Jerv prior. Out of interest he's never been capped by Costa Rica. If he was a Kiwi I imagine he'd be in an AWs squad.

https://us.soccerway.com/players/diego-campos/532765/

From Flying Kiwis.

Sneaky FDV sighting in the background there. It was a memorable week for his Värnamo team. Double header on Thursday night/Monday night local time from which they first held Malmö to a clean sheet and a 0-0 draw, then kept another cleanie in beating Degefors 2-0. Oscar Johansson (5’) and Marcus Antonsson (56’) with a pair of timely goals in that one.

Best part of it all is that Francis De Vries played all 180 minutes of those two matches. Almost set up a winner in the Malmö game with a 73rd min free kick crossed into a great area which was fired over the top on the stretch by a teammate. Highlights here. Got into some good attacking areas in the Degefors match too although wasn’t involved in either goal. Highlights here. That was IFKV’s first ever Allsvenskan win. 

Värnamo (12th) travel to Norrköping (13th).
de Vries starting.

Edit - full game in a 2-0 loss. Värnamo drop to 13th (1 spot above relegation playoff spot). Early days.

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2022/05/02/sweden/allsvenskan/ildrottsforening-kamraterna-norrkoping/ildrottsforeningen-kamraterna-varnamo/3730871/

Värnamo (14th) host Häcken (7th).
de Vries starting at LB.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2022/05/09/sweden/allsvenskan/ildrottsforeningen-kamraterna-varnamo/bollklubben-hacken/3730877/

Edit - at HT is 1-1

Edit 2 - unfortunately finishes a 1-2 home loss. Full game de Vries. Värnamo 14th (relegation playoff spot).

Värnamo (14th) travel to Mjällby (5th).
de Vries starting.

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2022/05/14/sweden/allsvenskan/mjallby-aif/ildrottsforeningen-kamraterna-varnamo/3730889/

Edit - some late game angst for Värnamo (up to 13th) after conceding in the 95th min for a  1-1 draw. Looks like wins could be at a premium for them this season, especially away from home. So disappointing they couldn't hang on, after going 1-0 up in 6th min.

Full game de Vries.

Helsingborg (15th) host Värnamo (13th)
De Vries starting for Värnamo at LB

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2022/05/21/sweden/allsvenskan/helsingborgs-idrottsforening/ildrottsforeningen-kamraterna-varnamo/3730891/

2nd last game before Swedish league has a 1 month summer break.

Edit - Värnamo (13th) come from 1-0 down to win 4-1 away. Great result for them against one of their likely relegation battler rivals. They go up to 12th. 
Full game de Vries.

coochiee

Helsingborg (15th) host Värnamo (13th)
De Vries starting for Värnamo at LB

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2022/05/21/sweden/allsvenskan/helsingborgs-idrottsforening/ildrottsforeningen-kamraterna-varnamo/3730891/

2nd last game before Swedish league has a 1 month summer break.

Edit - Värnamo (13th) come from 1-0 down to win 4-1 away. Great result for them against one of their likely relegation battler rivals. They go up to 12th. 
Full game de Vries.

Assisted for the equalizing goal too. Nice little cross to help setup the comeback. Like you say, an important win against a fellow relegation scrap contender too.