Among about 4 teams chasing 2nd in the league - a promotion playoff spot. GAIS (1st) are 8 pts clear and seem to have the automatic promtion spot all wrapped up.
Heard today on AWs verus Socceroos Aus TV commentary, that Falkenberg sold Garbett to Torino for 3M Euros. Tidy sum if true. They also mentioned that it's rumoured he's not happy in Turin.
Exciting news for another kiwi keeper on the rise as 19yo Kees Sims has extended his stay with Ljungskile all the way until 2025. This is in the third tier of Swedish footy so hopefully there’s a release clause in there just in case (Sims is eligible for the U20 World Cup next year, always a useful shop window) but great business by his club either way.
Sims joined LSK along with two of his other Western Suburbs buds: Otto Ingham and Robert Sabo. Ingham, an attacking player, was the first to get decent game time and has been involved in some part of most games including scoring in a 2-0 win over Oskarshamns back in June. Defender Sabo has had to be more patient though a few chances have come his way recently. Meanwhile Sims began as the backup keeper though has played increasingly more regularly as the year has progressed. He’s made ten league starts (plus a debut off the bench) and has kept four clean sheets.
Erik Lund Fahlen, LSK: “It feels great that Kees wants to continue with us in LSK. He has had a fantastically good development with us this spring, where he really had to fight to take the place as a goalkeeper in the starting eleven. Once given the chance, he has done very well. He is an ambitious guy who we look forward to working with more in the coming seasons.”
LSK have six games left this season and there’s still an outside chance they can get up to second and playoff for promotion. A few too many recent losses have seen them lose pace with that target though so it may have to be a next season kinda thing.
Kees Sims är @LjungskileSK:s stjärnskott som under hösten tagit en ordinarie plats i lagets startelva. För Ljungskile Nyheter berättar han om de stora fotbollsdrömmarna.
Good chat there from Simsy... who along with some nice things about settling into Swedish footy and all that also confirms his desire to play at the U20 World Cup next year. Sims wasn’t a part of the U19s qualifying squad that strolled through the Oceania champs as only one overseas based player was selected (Jay Herdman) but he’s probably the highest profile pro in line to be called up for the tournament itself (unless they can get Matt Dibley-Dias involved as is sounding more likely than it once did – MDD’s in the Fulham academy and is eligible for England, Brazil, Portugal, or Aotearoa... hence he’s got a choice to make).
On the pitch, LSK drew 1-1 with Oskarshamns this week. Sims and Sabo both started while Ingham was an unused substitute... plus Joel Stevens got ninety minutes for Oskarshamns. With three games remaining in the year it seems like fifth place is most likely for LSK. Either way they won’t get top two for a shot at promotion... but it’s been a strong first professional campaign for all three of these dudes, Sims most of all (although the goal he conceded this week was one he’ll want back –highlights here).
Joel Stevens meanwhile has played pretty regularly for Oskars (15 starts, 8 sub apps) albeit only scoring one goal so far... though as a team they’ve barely scored one goal per game so not sure you can blame him. Oskarshamns are only one spot above a relegation playoff but they should be safe from that fate.
From Flying Kiwis. The Ettan (Swedish 3rd tier) starts this weekend. Be interesting to see who is the keeper for the U20 WC. Battle between Sims & Henry Gray?
Got another one. A year ago Kees Sims, Otto Ingham, and Robi Sabo all graduated from Western Suburbs/Ole Academy to join third tier Ljungskile in Sweden. Sims was the youngest but soon worked his way into becoming their starting goalie (and has spent a productive offseason training with Premier League clubs in England as well as representing the NZ U23s last week). Ingham got regular first team duties but was in and off the bench. Sabo didn’t play that much and has since left the club. LSK finished fifth in the Southern side of the division, with only the champs going straight up and second-place get a playoff.
Not sure where Sabo’s at these days but LSK weren’t about to run the risk of heading into a season with any less than three kiwis so they’ve stocked up with the addition of Auckland United and NZ U20s winger/playmaker Oliver Fay. Fella had a goal and an assist in eight starts for AUFC in the 2022 National League, impressing with his silky touch and clever movement. Fay’s been over there since preseason and has now been signed on a proper deal a week out from the start of the new Ettan campaign. Happy days.
LSK manager Erik Lund Fahlen: “Fay is a very exciting young player with many offensive qualities and who has done well since joining the group. He will only get better as the year goes by.”
