Kiwi Players Elsewhere

Owen Parker-Price (Orgryte IS | Sweden)

75 replies · 5,890 views
19 Aug 05:59 · edited 19 Aug 06:08 · History
Nice to see him finally leave Torslanda for a higher level. Deserved.
Swedish 2nd tier.

As posted elsewhere Orgryte are currently top of the table. So promotion to the top tier is possible, and yes if he becomes a starter at this 2nd tier level he must become a fringe AW.

From memory he was last around the national scene when a reserve player with the Olywhites, Toyko in 2021.

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19 Aug 20:05
Played today (I think) in a 2-1 win, was credited with a goal on some pages on others another guy gets the credit.
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20 Aug 00:25
Great if he walked straight into the starting line up and got a goal in a team gunning for promotion to their top division.


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20 Aug 00:45
Ok he did play he did score and he did create the second goal.
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20 Aug 05:38
Goal and assist in a 2 to 1 win is a great way to introduce yourselves to fans. Did he start?
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20 Aug 07:27
MetalLegNZ
Goal and assist in a 2 to 1 win is a great way to introduce yourselves to fans. Did he start?

Yup he did
IMG_8586.jpeg 1.29 MB
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20 Aug 09:04 · edited 20 Aug 09:09 · History
Caveat. A Cup game away at a 4th tier opponent.
Hopefully he quickly becomes a starter for league games.


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21 Aug 13:29
Niche Cache

Once upon a time, Owen Parker-Price was only a hair’s width behind Callum McCowatt and Elijah Just in that legendary crop of Ole Academy dudes. He was in the starting eleven when those guys won the National League with Eastern Suburbs (as were Tim Payne, Andre De Jong, and Nando Pijnaker... no wonder they were so good). But OPP forged a different path for himself by heading to Sweden to join the Torslanda project where he remained for five and a half years under the guidance of Declan Edge and Dan Keat, through relegation and promotion and beyond.

These last two years back in the third tier have made it clear that he’s simply too good for the level he’s been at. Playing in the midfield, he’s scored 14 goals with 9 assists in 45 Ettan Södra dating back to the start of 2024... and some of his deeper stats are even more impressive, such as the fact that as recently as late June he’d completed more successful passes than any other player in the division by a margin that was 15% bigger than the dude in second place.

This guy is awesome and finally a club has stumped up to lift him higher up the pyramid. OPP has signed a contract with ÖIS until December 2027, effectively two and a half seasons. There’s a rumour on one of the Swedish forums that they tried to sign him in January but couldn’t get the funds so it fell apart. Maybe that’s true, maybe not... what matters is that it’s happened now.

Pontus Farnerud, Sporting Director at ÖIS: “Owen is a player we have followed and been interested in for a long time, now the timing was right for all parties and it feels very good that we have found a solution with a transfer. Owen has a personality and mentality that fits well into ÖIS. He is a strong passing player with good understanding of the game that gives us additional options and quality in the squad.”

Not only is this a serious move for the 26yo jumping from lower-table third tier up until the second tier... it could soon become an even bigger jump because ÖIS are currently leading the Superettan on goal difference. There’s work to be done but it’s not impossible that Parker-Price soon joins McCowatt and Just in being a top division professional footballer in Europe.
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23 Aug 14:14
OPP on the pine.
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24 Aug 00:30
On at 63 mins with Orgryte up 2-1.
Finishes 2-2.

Orgryte will drop to 2nd if Kalmar win overnight.
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31 Aug 19:47
Came on at 66mins and provided the assist for the win
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31 Aug 21:58
He's made a great impact already - suspect he will be in the starting line up sooner rather than later.
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31 Aug 23:23
Maybe but Orgryte were already top of the table when he arrived, so unless he's been recruited because they have some injuries, he may be that super sub for awhile yet.

Apparently they did try to recruit him last season, or some other earlier time.

Orgryte go back into 1st on GD from Kalmar who were held to draw in their game.
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03 Sep 07:53
Niche Cache



That, technically speaking, is an Owen Parker-Price assist. It was a little sideways shovel pass, having run out of other options, but Amel Mujanic smashed it into the bottom corner and with that gave ÖIS the winning goal away against Utsiktens. 2-1 final score. 

Parker-Price had been subbed on after 65 mins for his second Superettan appearance since signing with the club a few weeks back. Already having a bright impact. Even better is that Kalmar only drew 0-0 away to Östersund so this win sends Örgryte back to the top of the table on goal difference. 21 games played and nine more remaining.
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15 Sep 21:01
3-1 win Orgryte. 
OPP on at 60 mins when Orgryte up 1-0
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15 Sep 22:42
Top of the league with a 4 point buffer on 3rd place! A birth to the Swedish top flight would throw another spanner into the works for that 5th/6th choice midfielder spot in the All Whites. 
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15 Sep 22:54
Realistically he needs a few injuries to be a chance of WC selection. Orgryte being promoted won't change much, especially with him at the moment just being a bench player there.

I think a fit Dibley-Dias is more the potential midfield bolter.

Anyway it's nice OPP is having a crack at this level. Seemed such a waste staying at Torslanda.
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15 Sep 23:57
I agree that he’s probably 2 midfield injuries away from being called up to an All Whites squad. 

But I do think his club getting promoted helps his case strongly. If he keeps getting minutes for them start or bench in the Swedish top flight he’d be playing at a higher level than Singh, Garbett, Bell, Rufer, Howieson and Dias comfortably. 

Obviously I don’t think he’s on par with Bell, Garbett and Singh but he’s better than Howieson and Dias. Rufer’s profile would give him the advantage over OPP for that final midfield selection imo. Definitely could make a bit of noise though. 

Dias imo isn’t close to International level quality. 22 years old nearly playing on loan in League 2. He obviously has no future at Fulham. Would be a great pickup for WPX down the line if things don’t work out in the UK. Seems his body can’t handle the loading at the moment over there. 
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16 Sep 00:41 · edited 16 Sep 01:28 · History
FYI - Norway league has a higher UEFA coefficient than Sweden. Probably helped by Bodo/Glimt doing well in Europe. Not forgetting Bell is at an Eliteserien club that is a genuine title contender.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_coefficient

If Dibley-Dias had no potential future at Fulham he would have been released by now, like most youngsters who come through EPL Academies. But they have retained him, and yes he is now 22, so they must rate him. For sure he's needs a run of 15+ L2 games injury free to be any chance of being a WC bolter.

As others have mentioned Rufer is older and far more physical than either hyphen OPP or MDD. If say Stamenic was injured/fatigued, you can see Rufer coming on at the World Cup and trying to close down an opposition midfield as the AWs try hold a lead or grab a draw. He could end up a valuable sub option. As long as Roofs has a reasonable season for the Nix, he's highly likely a WC squad selection.
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16 Sep 01:20
Dias will be sold by Fulham on a permanent by either Jan or next summer window. 

There’s absolutely no way he goes from League 2 and works his way to the Fulham first team now. Top Clubs hold onto these players to maximise profit - it’s nothing new. 

The midfield order for me right now is Stamenic, Thomas, Bell, Singh, Garbett Rufer, OPP/Howieson - Dias. 

I don’t see Garbett playing in the midfield but If he needed to Bazeley would put him in ahead of the others if it came to be as an 8/10. Dias will be a late bloomer imo but don’t think he’ll be near ready to have an impact at WC Level. 

Seeing similar things with OPP - nearly 27 but now nearly at the Allsvenskan level which will help his case if there was to be an injury or two in the order ahead. 
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16 Sep 03:02
Should be invited in to train with the team. Go from there. Same with Stranger.
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16 Sep 05:44
MetalLegNZ
Should be invited in to train with the team. Go from there. Same with Stranger.

I can't see any possibility that OPP makes the WC squad. Hes not even a regular starter for his D2 Swedish club.....I'd wager Lachlan Bayliss is next off the rank (maybe MDD, as Baze will try and tie his eligibility to us). 

Stanger should be in the squad, behind Boxall, Surman, and Bindon, but ahead of Nando Calrissian.....who I'd rather see back at Cloud City than in Mex-Can-USA. 

One for the Star Wars fans there...
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16 Sep 07:20
I don’t see any point in rushing to get MDD tied to us. With how his career has been progressing he’s much much further away from playing for any other country.

If OPP can get some regular game time and a promotion I don’t see why he can’t potentially be picked ahead of MDD
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16 Sep 09:05
Nothing wrong with having a look. Neither OPP or Stanger are world beaters I understand that but I think it’s important to exercise your depth.

Who knows when you might need these players in the next 10 months or so. They’ve both played with most of this squad in age groups before so they’re not gonna be foreign to each other.

With Pijnaker sidelined and Smith at a lower level now I think it’s time Stanger gets a ring from Baze. OPP will need a couple unavailability’s in the midfield to get his call. 
MetalLegNZ
Should be invited in to train with the team. Go from there. Same with Stranger.
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20 Sep 14:25
Parker-Price full game in a 1-0 win.
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25 Sep 05:08
Be interesting to see if OPP starts again tonight. Started and played 90 a few days ago away at Helsingborg but that could’ve been for rotation? 

Massive game though of OIS, as said before me that they can go 2 points clear and start building a lead up top. 2 of their last 3 games are against Kalmar and Vasteras who are 2 of the top 3 alongside them. 
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25 Sep 21:30 · edited 26 Sep 10:53 · History
OPP full game in a 2-0 win.

Looks like the top 2 teams are promoted. Orgryte (1st) are 4 pts ahead of Vasteras SK (3rd) with 6 games left.
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26 Sep 05:17
I wonder if Darren Bazeley will be down with OPP come World Cup selection time?
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26 Sep 06:20
He’s become a regular fairly quickly at his club too. They’re bound for promotion to the Swedish top flight. No doubt new signings etc would come in but the fact they pushed hard for him in Jan and last month is very promising areas. 

If he gets regular minutes in the top flight next season in April then no doubt he’ll have to be on the radar. Allsvenskan is ranked the 19th best league in the world and could be higher. Very high level of football. 

OPP however isn’t a desperate need for the All Whites. But if 1-2 injuries occurred he’s right in the mixer. Wouldn’t mind if Bazeley had a look at him in any of the upcoming windows if there was an unavailability in the middle. 
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29 Sep 22:25
Got the call up... wonder if he will get mins or it's more about just seeing what he's like in camp.

Stanger more deserving of minutes.
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29 Sep 23:10
Think he’s got a good chance to play. If Thomas Bell Stamenic and Singh are all starting he’ll get rotated in at some point. 

What a moment for the lad! 26 years old and was playing Swedish 4th tier not long ago. Probably never thought this would come up and now it has. 

Probably one of my favourite players to watch back in the ISPS days. Absolute quality player and I think he’ll fit right in this environment. 7 Ole players in this window too - proud day for Declan Edge. 
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01 Oct 00:14
Celebrates his debut AWs callup, with a full game in a 2-0 win over Landskrona.

Kalmar (2nd) also won but importantly Orgryte go 4 points clear of Vasteras SK (3rd).
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02 Oct 12:23 · edited 02 Oct 12:28 · History
Niche Cache. OPP was MOTM last game.
He is a bit pint sized isn't he.

Then again as OIS won 2-0 against Landskrona where he was given Man of the Match...

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1625257885506687&set=pcb.1625257952173347



As a team, OIS are on an 11-game unbeaten streak and are two points clear at the top of the Superettan. In 354 minutes with OPP on the pitch, they have scored eight goals and conceded just two.

OIS coach Andreas Holmberg: “I've been questioning that all along, really [how nobody else scouted him]. It's weird, is all I can say. It makes me doubt Swedish football, that they didn’t want him. Maybe that's because people thought he's a few years too old? It has become a trend that you must not be over 21 if you are going to move on. And maybe that he is a little small. But he is amazing. What a footballer.

We've been trying for a long time [to sign him]. We looked at him a lot last year but he wanted to wait. Now he’s decided that the time was right. I don't know what he looked like six years ago, but if there's one thing he is as a player, it's that he's mature. He makes wise decisions all the time. He is always playable, works hard, and never looks tired.”
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