Hopefully we see the new boys get a run out, as well as a few that are returning to the fold get some game time.
Kinda excited for this purely because from memory we don't get these kind of 'walkover fixtures' in this competition.
It sounds disrespectful, but it's not meant that way. Merely just the way the draw has fallen coming up against a fourth tier opponent.
Keen to see; • Evolution and growth from some of the green shoots we saw in the game against Perth. • How we go about handling the heavy favourites tag. • Us ultimately putting Nunawading to the sword. • Maybe a few younger guys make the trip across once more who will likely get the chance to impress. But hopefully we see the likes of Eze, Armiento, or even Rufer + Payne involved in some capacity.
What's the guts with Nunawading? Not a name I recognize as an NPL powerhouse. Are they having a bit of Maidstone-esque cup run? Is there banana skin potential hear or have we got a garunteed run into tye pointy end of the FFA cup now?
What's the guts with Nunawading? Not a name I recognize as an NPL powerhouse. Are they having a bit of Maidstone-esque cup run? Is there banana skin potential hear or have we got a garunteed run into tye pointy end of the FFA cup now?
I know nothing about them, but there’s always banana skin potential.
I played for them for 2 seasons a few years ago, they’re a fascinating club. Ange Postecoglou set up an academy there when he was coaching the Socceroos where he made a whole club philosophy about playing football in his vision, ultra attacking, high line defending & everyone from juniors up plays the same way. There is murals of Ange, Johann Cruyiff & Rinus Michels in the club room, which shows you their unique view of the game.
As for the game, nix will win comfortably, their players don’t get paid (other npl clubs do) and their players range from teachers to law students to engineers.. Rock Hopper
What's the guts with Nunawading? Not a name I recognize as an NPL powerhouse. Are they having a bit of Maidstone-esque cup run? Is there banana skin potential hear or have we got a garunteed run into tye pointy end of the FFA cup now?
Made the semis of Victoria's knockout (Dockerty Cup) Cup comp this year, though they then got thumped 5-0 by Heidelberg United.
Jake Brimmer is their most famous ex player. Maybe he went through that Ange Academy mentioned above.
Mitch Cooper (who played against the AWs for Vanuatu last year) also had a few seasons there when his ALM career was over. Same Ben Khalfallah a few seasons there as player-coach.
I love it when we play new clubs, regardless of their size. I'm pretty sure if we beat them, they'll be the 40th club side we have beaten in our history, which is pretty cool.
I played for them for 2 seasons a few years ago, they’re a fascinating club. Ange Postecoglou set up an academy there when he was coaching the Socceroos where he made a whole club philosophy about playing football in his vision, ultra attacking, high line defending & everyone from juniors up plays the same way. There is murals of Ange, Johann Cruyiff & Rinus Michels in the club room, which shows you their unique view of the game.
As for the game, nix will win comfortably, their players don’t get paid (other npl clubs do) and their players range from teachers to law students to engineers.. Rock Hopper
What's the guts with Nunawading? Not a name I recognize as an NPL powerhouse. Are they having a bit of Maidstone-esque cup run? Is there banana skin potential hear or have we got a garunteed run into tye pointy end of the FFA cup now?
that is so cool! thanks for sharing. they sound like an awesome, progressive club.
Hopefully we see the new boys get a run out, as well as a few that are returning to the fold get some game time.
Kinda excited for this purely because from memory we don't get these kind of 'walkover fixtures' in this competition.
It sounds disrespectful, but it's not meant that way. Merely just the way the draw has fallen coming up against a fourth tier opponent.
Keen to see; • Evolution and growth from some of the green shoots we saw in the game against Perth. • How we go about handling the heavy favourites tag. • Us ultimately putting Nunawading to the sword. • Maybe a few younger guys make the trip across once more who will likely get the chance to impress. But hopefully we see the likes of Eze, Armiento, or even Rufer + Payne involved in some capacity.
As soon as I saw the words "green shoots", and "walkover fixture", I started thinking of Green Gully, for some reason....
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
Yeah this is by design - in Football Australia's official draw principles it has this clause "Where Hahn Australia Cup matches involve a Member Federation Club and an Isuzu UTE A-League Men Club, the Member Federation Club will be Home Club"
The only time A-League teams can be the home team is if both teams in the match up are from the A-League
I of course want us to beat Nunawading comfortably, but not to the point where it becomes a demolishing, especially after reading Nixieboy's post above.
Hopefully we see the new boys get a run out, as well as a few that are returning to the fold get some game time.
Kinda excited for this purely because from memory we don't get these kind of 'walkover fixtures' in this competition.
It sounds disrespectful, but it's not meant that way. Merely just the way the draw has fallen coming up against a fourth tier opponent.
Keen to see; • Evolution and growth from some of the green shoots we saw in the game against Perth. • How we go about handling the heavy favourites tag. • Us ultimately putting Nunawading to the sword. • Maybe a few younger guys make the trip across once more who will likely get the chance to impress. But hopefully we see the likes of Eze, Armiento, or even Rufer + Payne involved in some capacity.
As soon as I saw the words "green shoots", and "walkover fixture", I started thinking of Green Gully, for some reason....
At least they were an NPL team. 😭
First time we've drawn a side outside A-League or NPL opposition too which is cool as well.
I love it when we play new clubs, regardless of their size. I'm pretty sure if we beat them, they'll be the 40th club side we have beaten in our history, which is pretty cool.
Hopefully we get to 41 during this ALeague season...
I wonder how much a financial drain this competition is on the NZ sides.
In the years they don’t draw themselves and they make it to the final, that’s usually 5 trips across the ditch, airfares, accommodation etc etc,
No possibility of Asian qualification and to the best of my knowledge no prize money at all and no TV rights money for this comp, minimal exposure for sponsors etc etc.
I wonder how much a financial drain this competition is on the NZ sides.
In the years they don’t draw themselves and they make it to the final, that’s usually 5 trips across the ditch, airfares, accommodation etc etc,
No possibility of Asian qualification and to the best of my knowledge no prize money at all and no TV rights money for this comp, minimal exposure for sponsors etc etc.
All true. But the benefit is in playing competitive pre-season fixtures. The potential for increased sharpness for the start of the season will be hugely beneficial - and that obviously can translate to recouping the $. (But very indirectly, and unlikely to fully offset the costs)
I wonder how much a financial drain this competition is on the NZ sides.
In the years they don’t draw themselves and they make it to the final, that’s usually 5 trips across the ditch, airfares, accommodation etc etc,
No possibility of Asian qualification and to the best of my knowledge no prize money at all and no TV rights money for this comp, minimal exposure for sponsors etc etc.
"Football Australia will cover reasonable flights, ground transport and accommodation for a travelling party of 23 for each travelling Away club and provides a nominated amount as a meal allowance." https://www.australiacup.com.au/about-competition
I assume we are eligible for that, which is why an Australia Cup run is always vital for our preparations.
Sign Tom Biss? Experience, can tell scary tales about potential getting lost in the weeds of the lower leagues, covers LB/RB? Can snap at the heels in training and be a utility. Gulley finally too old for a comeback?
I wonder how much a financial drain this competition is on the NZ sides.
In the years they don’t draw themselves and they make it to the final, that’s usually 5 trips across the ditch, airfares, accommodation etc etc,
No possibility of Asian qualification and to the best of my knowledge no prize money at all and no TV rights money for this comp, minimal exposure for sponsors etc etc.
Maybe so, maybe not (others have commented already). Me, at this point in our A League history, I will happily take a win in the Australia Cup, and would even chip in if the Nix run out of money for the return leg of their team airfares for the trip back to bring the cup home.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
Eze has travelled but first-choice goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi is out due to illness which means either academy goalkeeper Matt Foord or Eamonn McCarron will start. Alby Kelly-Heald still not back from his shoulder injury. https://t.co/PbaQTRCM8v
Eze has travelled but first-choice goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi is out due to illness which means either academy goalkeeper Matt Foord or Eamonn McCarron will start. Alby Kelly-Heald still not back from his shoulder injury. https://t.co/PbaQTRCM8v
Gillion, Watson, Makowem, Munro, and Murphy are all absent for the reserves match against Western Suburbs today so they will likely join McCarron and Foord for tomorrow too.
Jayden Smith also unavailable. Shame for him. Presumably against a 3rd tier Victorian opponent it's a back 4?
Payne, Piper or LK-H to slip in beside Hughes with very young CB Munro on the pine? Not a bad way for Payne to work off some rust, and a first run around playing at CB maybe.
Wellington Phoenix squad: 5. Fin ROA CONCHIE, 6. Tim PAYNE, 7. Ifeanyi EZE, 8. Paulo RETRE, 9. Hideki ISHIGE, 11. Carlo ARMIENTO, 15. Isaac HUGHES, 17. Gabriel SLOANE-RODRIGUES, 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD, 23. Luke SUPYK, 24. Xuan LOKE, 25. Kazuki NAGASAWA, 27. Matt SHERIDAN, 29. Luke BROOKE-SMITH, 35. Matt FOORD (gk), 40. Eamonn MCCARRON (gk), 42. Fergus GILLION, 8. Mac MUNRO.
The Wellington Phoenix will be without their top two goalkeepers for Sunday’s Australia Cup tie against Melbourne’s Nunawading City.
First-choice ‘keeper Josh Oluwayemi has been ruled out of the Round of 16 fixture because of illness, while back-up Alby Kelly-Heald is not yet match-fit after his recovery from a shoulder injury and surgery.
Head coach Giancarlo Italiano has named reserve team goalkeepers Matt Foord and Eamonn McCarron in his squad.
Foord (19) is a former New Zealand U-17 international who joined the Phoenix from Cashmere Technical in February 2024, after playing his junior and early youth football for Christchurch United. McCarron (17) has been part of the Phoenix Reserves squad in this year’s Dettol Central League.
New signings Ifeanyi Eze and Carlo Armiento are in line to make their club debuts against Nunawading City, while All Whites fullback Tim Payne is also expected to feature after sitting out the wins over Wrexham and Perth Glory, who the Phoenix beat in the last round of the cup.
You are probably right though at 17 McCarron is very young. Wonder if he's seemingly jumped ahead of Foord (2 years older) on ability, or fact Foord was injured for a long time.
