Ends 3-1 to the Wee Nix, Doyle sent off near the end.
Huawei Wellington United Phoenix Academy Football School of Excellence - WeeNix
Puts WeeNix into 2nd place behind TW?
So our reserves are better than the 3rd best team in the world?
Was quite a good game for the weenix. Hamish Blake and Nathaniel Hailemariam were the standouts for me. Sail had a great couple of saves too
Feverbot - where are you?
Was quite a good game for the weenix. Hamish Blake and Nathaniel Hailemariam were the standouts for me. Sail had a great couple of saves too
Andrew Blake in'it
Yes. Too much sun for me today :p
Full house -
Andrew Blake overtaking Ridenton & Rufer for me.
Team Wellington > WeeNix > Auckland > Phoenix
I'm so confused, guys.
Team Wellington > WeeNix > Auckland > Phoenix
I'm so confused, guys.
Best follow Naenae.
Who is going to Kiwitea Street on Sunday?
I am flying up to support the #WeeNix.
Anyone else going?
"I thought you said Stanley Street!"
Just noticed in the above photo the scaffolding with someone filming the game.....anyone know where you can see the highlights?
Just noticed in the above photo the scaffolding with someone filming the game.....anyone know where you can see the highlights?
Should be on YT soon.
a player sent off in ASB Premiership dosn't have any suspension issues in the A-League right? just curious.
what is a full house at kiwitea street?
4 grandparents, 4 parents, 9 kids, 2 cousins and a couple of cats and dogs
what is a full house at kiwitea street?
ACFC Twitter said 1600+
I went along and saw the biggest crowd there in 4 years for a national league game. Packed and a great crowd. I think that 1600-2000 would be about right.
ACFC started the game playing some lovely football and the Weenix were chasing shadows. The only problem I found was that they tried to play expansive and 1 touch on the postage stamp that is Kiwitea which I think was not quite right. The Weenix could not get the ball and then Ivan turned over and the young lad up front Halliemariam (?) shot/lobbed Tamati from about 25 on the angle. The instant he hit it, it was in and had a lovely swerve and flight. Then they had a 2nd through some great vision to lay a square ball to unmarked Stephens and then Tamati was beaten near post on a cut back making it three. ACFC then got one back but it would be fair to say that ACFC shaded the Weenix in terms of territory and possession in the first half. 2nd half it was all ACFC and Weenix parked the bus. The game actually reminded me of us v Roar in Dunedin where we scored on the counter and parked the bus. This game was a mirror of that.
For the Weenix, I thought the RB DeMario was outstanding and never let Tade get a good look all day. He was absolute class and did his job well and was obvious that he had a plan for playing Tade which he nailed. Of the 12 shots he would have had, only 1 was threatening and most were from distance. Time and time again, he had good body position and timing and forced Tade onto his left which he could not shoot with cause he kept looking for the cut back to his right which was denied. I thought Andrew Blake showed a hell of a lot and caused real trouble but he has no left foot and I think HAL teams would mark him out easily enough without that left foot. Gulley, Rufer and Ridenton had good games too and Oliver Sail made some very good saves.
For ACFC, I think they played the better team football by far with no one trying to be the star and I mean that without any malice. They largely came up the flanks and around the edges but never through the middle. I thought Burfoot and particularly Payne were passengers so ACFC had to go around the outsides cause there was no midfield to create/show/do anything. In fact, how Tim Payne is an AW is surprising. I thought de Vries did nothing too and it was largely attacks created/started by Iwata/White at the FBs with interplay with Tade and Tavano.
Was the result a reflection of the game? No. I think considering Weenix had 5 chances and slotted 3 and ACFC had easily a dozen and slotted 1 I think a draw would have been a fair result considering the score and possession/territory. One thing that is evident is that the Weenix has a ton of young talent and are well coached which is a good sign. They just need a little bit of brains. They were about to go to a 1 man advantage when Mario Billen headbutts Rufer and in retaliation, Doyle grabs him by the throat. It was quite unsavoury and it also looked like Rufer may have milked the head butt more than it was worth by how he went down.
All in all, a good football game to watch
Thought that 's a pretty fair analysis JV.
Was a shock to have to queue to get into a Nat League game for the first time in many a year !
I too thought Dimario at RB was outstanding - very quick on the recovery and played Tade out of the game. Wonder if his physical slightness may inhibit his progression.
Hallemarian posed trouble for Auckland City all day , and Stevens looks to have filled out physically a bit over the last few months which makes him more promising.
Ridenton was anonymous I thought and Rufer ranged from the sublime to the ridiculous (often within seconds).
Although Rufer milked the head butt , Bilen had to go. Didn't see what Doyle did , but probably someone from the Phoenix had to go from the melee that followed the head butt.
Sail was good although his distribution needs work.
As far as Auckland City went . I've always wondered whether they are susceptible to quick counter attacking sides - if the opposition gets the ball forward quickly and stops the AC midfield protecting their back four , then Bilen and Berlanga are not comfortable being exposed (although no defenders are I guess).
Enjoyable day out in the sun. Made me feel old seeing Rufer , Ridenton and Evans Junior - guess McGarry Junior stayed at home.
I went along and saw the biggest crowd there in 4 years for a national league game. Packed and a great crowd. I think that 1600-2000 would be about right.
ACFC started the game playing some lovely football and the Weenix were chasing shadows. The only problem I found was that they tried to play expansive and 1 touch on the postage stamp that is Kiwitea which I think was not quite right. The Weenix could not get the ball and then Ivan turned over and the young lad up front Halliemariam (?) shot/lobbed Tamati from about 25 on the angle. The instant he hit it, it was in and had a lovely swerve and flight. Then they had a 2nd through some great vision to lay a square ball to unmarked Stephens and then Tamati was beaten near post on a cut back making it three. ACFC then got one back but it would be fair to say that ACFC shaded the Weenix in terms of territory and possession in the first half. 2nd half it was all ACFC and Weenix parked the bus. The game actually reminded me of us v Roar in Dunedin where we scored on the counter and parked the bus. This game was a mirror of that.
For the Weenix, I thought the RB DeMario was outstanding and never let Tade get a good look all day. He was absolute class and did his job well and was obvious that he had a plan for playing Tade which he nailed. Of the 12 shots he would have had, only 1 was threatening and most were from distance. Time and time again, he had good body position and timing and forced Tade onto his left which he could not shoot with cause he kept looking for the cut back to his right which was denied. I thought Andrew Blake showed a hell of a lot and caused real trouble but he has no left foot and I think HAL teams would mark him out easily enough without that left foot. Gulley, Rufer and Ridenton had good games too and Oliver Sail made some very good saves.
For ACFC, I think they played the better team football by far with no one trying to be the star and I mean that without any malice. They largely came up the flanks and around the edges but never through the middle. I thought Burfoot and particularly Payne were passengers so ACFC had to go around the outsides cause there was no midfield to create/show/do anything. In fact, how Tim Payne is an AW is surprising. I thought de Vries did nothing too and it was largely attacks created/started by Iwata/White at the FBs with interplay with Tade and Tavano.
Was the result a reflection of the game? No. I think considering Weenix had 5 chances and slotted 3 and ACFC had easily a dozen and slotted 1 I think a draw would have been a fair result considering the score and possession/territory. One thing that is evident is that the Weenix has a ton of young talent and are well coached which is a good sign. They just need a little bit of brains. They were about to go to a 1 man advantage when Mario Billen headbutts Rufer and in retaliation, Doyle grabs him by the throat. It was quite unsavoury and it also looked like Rufer may have milked the head butt more than it was worth by how he went down.
All in all, a good football game to watch
I agree with most of what you said although I do think that Burfoot was probably the best and most likely of the three midfielders to actually make anything happen and felt that either Payne or, more probably, Viselich, should have gone off for Issa.
The right back for Phoenix was superb and kept Tade in his back pocket all day. Tade, though, has been poor for a while now and really needs to get head head out of his arse and start playing. Other than that I thought Auckland were the better team in terms of possession but really struggled in front of goal.
The referee was terrible and did not have a clue what was going on. certainly an entertaining afternoon though.
I went along and saw the biggest crowd there in 4 years for a national league game. Packed and a great crowd. I think that 1600-2000 would be about right.
ACFC started the game playing some lovely football and the Weenix were chasing shadows. The only problem I found was that they tried to play expansive and 1 touch on the postage stamp that is Kiwitea which I think was not quite right. The Weenix could not get the ball and then Ivan turned over and the young lad up front Halliemariam (?) shot/lobbed Tamati from about 25 on the angle. The instant he hit it, it was in and had a lovely swerve and flight. Then they had a 2nd through some great vision to lay a square ball to unmarked Stephens and then Tamati was beaten near post on a cut back making it three. ACFC then got one back but it would be fair to say that ACFC shaded the Weenix in terms of territory and possession in the first half. 2nd half it was all ACFC and Weenix parked the bus. The game actually reminded me of us v Roar in Dunedin where we scored on the counter and parked the bus. This game was a mirror of that.
For the Weenix, I thought the RB DeMario was outstanding and never let Tade get a good look all day. He was absolute class and did his job well and was obvious that he had a plan for playing Tade which he nailed. Of the 12 shots he would have had, only 1 was threatening and most were from distance. Time and time again, he had good body position and timing and forced Tade onto his left which he could not shoot with cause he kept looking for the cut back to his right which was denied. I thought Andrew Blake showed a hell of a lot and caused real trouble but he has no left foot and I think HAL teams would mark him out easily enough without that left foot. Gulley, Rufer and Ridenton had good games too and Oliver Sail made some very good saves.
For ACFC, I think they played the better team football by far with no one trying to be the star and I mean that without any malice. They largely came up the flanks and around the edges but never through the middle. I thought Burfoot and particularly Payne were passengers so ACFC had to go around the outsides cause there was no midfield to create/show/do anything. In fact, how Tim Payne is an AW is surprising. I thought de Vries did nothing too and it was largely attacks created/started by Iwata/White at the FBs with interplay with Tade and Tavano.
Was the result a reflection of the game? No. I think considering Weenix had 5 chances and slotted 3 and ACFC had easily a dozen and slotted 1 I think a draw would have been a fair result considering the score and possession/territory. One thing that is evident is that the Weenix has a ton of young talent and are well coached which is a good sign. They just need a little bit of brains. They were about to go to a 1 man advantage when Mario Billen headbutts Rufer and in retaliation, Doyle grabs him by the throat. It was quite unsavoury and it also looked like Rufer may have milked the head butt more than it was worth by how he went down.
All in all, a good football game to watch
I agree with most of what you said although I do think that Burfoot was probably the best and most likely of the three midfielders to actually make anything happen and felt that either Payne or, more probably, Viselich, should have gone off for Issa.
The right back for Phoenix was superb and kept Tade in his back pocket all day. Tade, though, has been poor for a while now and really needs to get head head out of his arse and start playing. Other than that I thought Auckland were the better team in terms of possession but really struggled in front of goal.
The referee was terrible and did not have a clue what was going on. certainly an entertaining afternoon though.
Pretty sure it was Berlanga who gave the ball away for the first goal - he had possession infront of the grandstand and went to pull the ball back to play backwards and instead toe'd it to the Nix player.
It was also Berlanga who was beaten at the front post for the 3rd goal.
Sure ACFC had lots of chances but they made so many errors as well - were I felt that the Nix were pretty efficient with their ball - infact their 3rd goal I reckon had about 20 passes before they scored - I don't think Auckland will feel robbed, I think they will know they can play a whole heap better.
On the referee - he wasn't perfect and made some mistakes - but I think he got the big calls right - Bilen had to go, didn't see the Doyle thing but if he did grab him by the throat then he had to go. and he was strong on a couple of easy falls in the box by ACFC players (FYI if Ivan isn't appealing for a pen, then it's def not one)
I went along and saw the biggest crowd there in 4 years for a national league game. Packed and a great crowd. I think that 1600-2000 would be about right.
ACFC started the game playing some lovely football and the Weenix were chasing shadows. The only problem I found was that they tried to play expansive and 1 touch on the postage stamp that is Kiwitea which I think was not quite right. The Weenix could not get the ball and then Ivan turned over and the young lad up front Halliemariam (?) shot/lobbed Tamati from about 25 on the angle. The instant he hit it, it was in and had a lovely swerve and flight. Then they had a 2nd through some great vision to lay a square ball to unmarked Stephens and then Tamati was beaten near post on a cut back making it three. ACFC then got one back but it would be fair to say that ACFC shaded the Weenix in terms of territory and possession in the first half. 2nd half it was all ACFC and Weenix parked the bus. The game actually reminded me of us v Roar in Dunedin where we scored on the counter and parked the bus. This game was a mirror of that.
For the Weenix, I thought the RB DeMario was outstanding and never let Tade get a good look all day. He was absolute class and did his job well and was obvious that he had a plan for playing Tade which he nailed. Of the 12 shots he would have had, only 1 was threatening and most were from distance. Time and time again, he had good body position and timing and forced Tade onto his left which he could not shoot with cause he kept looking for the cut back to his right which was denied. I thought Andrew Blake showed a hell of a lot and caused real trouble but he has no left foot and I think HAL teams would mark him out easily enough without that left foot. Gulley, Rufer and Ridenton had good games too and Oliver Sail made some very good saves.
For ACFC, I think they played the better team football by far with no one trying to be the star and I mean that without any malice. They largely came up the flanks and around the edges but never through the middle. I thought Burfoot and particularly Payne were passengers so ACFC had to go around the outsides cause there was no midfield to create/show/do anything. In fact, how Tim Payne is an AW is surprising. I thought de Vries did nothing too and it was largely attacks created/started by Iwata/White at the FBs with interplay with Tade and Tavano.
Was the result a reflection of the game? No. I think considering Weenix had 5 chances and slotted 3 and ACFC had easily a dozen and slotted 1 I think a draw would have been a fair result considering the score and possession/territory. One thing that is evident is that the Weenix has a ton of young talent and are well coached which is a good sign. They just need a little bit of brains. They were about to go to a 1 man advantage when Mario Billen headbutts Rufer and in retaliation, Doyle grabs him by the throat. It was quite unsavoury and it also looked like Rufer may have milked the head butt more than it was worth by how he went down.
All in all, a good football game to watch
I agree with most of what you said although I do think that Burfoot was probably the best and most likely of the three midfielders to actually make anything happen and felt that either Payne or, more probably, Viselich, should have gone off for Issa.
The right back for Phoenix was superb and kept Tade in his back pocket all day. Tade, though, has been poor for a while now and really needs to get head head out of his arse and start playing. Other than that I thought Auckland were the better team in terms of possession but really struggled in front of goal.
The referee was terrible and did not have a clue what was going on. certainly an entertaining afternoon though.
Pretty sure it was Berlanga who gave the ball away for the first goal - he had possession infront of the grandstand and went to pull the ball back to play backwards and instead toe'd it to the Nix player.
It was also Berlanga who was beaten at the front post for the 2nd goal.
Sure ACFC had lots of chances but they made so many errors as well - were I felt that the Nix were pretty efficient with their ball - infact their 2nd goal I reckon had about 20 passes before they scored - I don't think Auckland will feel robbed, I think they will know they can play a whole heap better.
On the referee - he wasn't perfect and made some mistakes - but I think he got the big calls right - Bilen had to go, didn't see the Doyle thing but if he did grab him by the throat then he had to go. and he was strong on a couple of easy falls in the box by ACFC players (FYI if Ivan isn't appealing for a pen, then it's def not one)
defensively Auckland missed Irving. His speed along the back line allows him to 'cover' very well. As I said earlier Auckland were flat and didn't look like scoring. I still maintain the ref was poor though. He lost control of things when it all kicked off. Yes Bilen should have been sent but if he had blown for a couple of fouls earlier then none of the later stuff would have happened. That's what happens when ref lose control - players get stuck in more and more and it all goes pear shaped!
And whoever it was that Bilen is supposed to have hit should get an Oscar for the most dramatic dive ever. I understand that he was not actually touched! Although the intent was there.
I think on reflection today, I may be being harsh on Burfoot A-Stan. I think what I was looking for was penetration through the middle of the field and there was not really any and thats kinda his role as a playmaker that sits a little deeper. I guess that he didn't have a bad game but was he effective? He didn't lose the ball and knocked it around but it reminds me of Declan Edge teams where its possession and there is nothing more than that.
I got in before the queue and I must say I was surprised at that as well.
Tade - it was evident that he loves the smell of his own shark in the 1st 10 mins. He didn't get the ball in the right place and tossed his toys. A throw in didn't go his way and he tossed his toys. You don't need to be an expert to know what puta means in Spanish and he pretty much called every person on his team that and the ref too which is ballsy. I think he needs a massive reality check in that 'yeah you have talent and can play but if you were as good as you think you are, you would be playing somewhere else'. The young RB is slight but has a ton of skill and compusure. He was not phased one bit today and reminded me of Doyle on the FU tour where his composure against better players betrayed his experience at that level.
I thought Ridenton did a good job if making sure that Ivan had no effect on the game as he sat higher than Rufer. I thought it was one of Ivans poorer efforts today and he seems to be having more of them at this level (sans CWC performances). I think part of that was what Ridenton did on him.
Interesting you mention the counter attack Chubbs and being susceptible because that back defensive central triangle of Ivan then Billen and Berlanga are not fast footballers. Maybe Weenix did their homework and just decided to pressure and run at them when they had the chance. It was certainly obvious when Blake took off cause that boy is fast and Iwata, whom is also very quick, had issues keeping up and he didn't have the ball. They just ran and ran and ran so maybe their plan was to always play them on the counter figuring to try beat them in a foot race and force them to foul or go past them.
The unfortunate thing with this league is that games involving ACFC and I guess TW are going to be good watches. If one of those sides are not playing, then you are looking at a snore-fest really.
The ref was ok for a game that looked relatively calm and easy but he definitely missed a couple of fouls right before Billen did his thing so I think there was a definite case of Billen going 'right, f this, I'm sorting it out' and then it kicked off.
Agree Rufer milked the contact on the headbutt.
I went along and saw the biggest crowd there in 4 years for a national league game. Packed and a great crowd. I think that 1600-2000 would be about right.
ACFC started the game playing some lovely football and the Weenix were chasing shadows. The only problem I found was that they tried to play expansive and 1 touch on the postage stamp that is Kiwitea which I think was not quite right. The Weenix could not get the ball and then Ivan turned over and the young lad up front Halliemariam (?) shot/lobbed Tamati from about 25 on the angle. The instant he hit it, it was in and had a lovely swerve and flight. Then they had a 2nd through some great vision to lay a square ball to unmarked Stephens and then Tamati was beaten near post on a cut back making it three. ACFC then got one back but it would be fair to say that ACFC shaded the Weenix in terms of territory and possession in the first half. 2nd half it was all ACFC and Weenix parked the bus. The game actually reminded me of us v Roar in Dunedin where we scored on the counter and parked the bus. This game was a mirror of that.
For the Weenix, I thought the RB DeMario was outstanding and never let Tade get a good look all day. He was absolute class and did his job well and was obvious that he had a plan for playing Tade which he nailed. Of the 12 shots he would have had, only 1 was threatening and most were from distance. Time and time again, he had good body position and timing and forced Tade onto his left which he could not shoot with cause he kept looking for the cut back to his right which was denied. I thought Andrew Blake showed a hell of a lot and caused real trouble but he has no left foot and I think HAL teams would mark him out easily enough without that left foot. Gulley, Rufer and Ridenton had good games too and Oliver Sail made some very good saves.
For ACFC, I think they played the better team football by far with no one trying to be the star and I mean that without any malice. They largely came up the flanks and around the edges but never through the middle. I thought Burfoot and particularly Payne were passengers so ACFC had to go around the outsides cause there was no midfield to create/show/do anything. In fact, how Tim Payne is an AW is surprising. I thought de Vries did nothing too and it was largely attacks created/started by Iwata/White at the FBs with interplay with Tade and Tavano.
Was the result a reflection of the game? No. I think considering Weenix had 5 chances and slotted 3 and ACFC had easily a dozen and slotted 1 I think a draw would have been a fair result considering the score and possession/territory. One thing that is evident is that the Weenix has a ton of young talent and are well coached which is a good sign. They just need a little bit of brains. They were about to go to a 1 man advantage when Mario Billen headbutts Rufer and in retaliation, Doyle grabs him by the throat. It was quite unsavoury and it also looked like Rufer may have milked the head butt more than it was worth by how he went down.
All in all, a good football game to watch
I agree with most of what you said although I do think that Burfoot was probably the best and most likely of the three midfielders to actually make anything happen and felt that either Payne or, more probably, Viselich, should have gone off for Issa.
The right back for Phoenix was superb and kept Tade in his back pocket all day. Tade, though, has been poor for a while now and really needs to get head head out of his arse and start playing. Other than that I thought Auckland were the better team in terms of possession but really struggled in front of goal.
The referee was terrible and did not have a clue what was going on. certainly an entertaining afternoon though.
Pretty sure it was Berlanga who gave the ball away for the first goal - he had possession infront of the grandstand and went to pull the ball back to play backwards and instead toe'd it to the Nix player.
It was also Berlanga who was beaten at the front post for the 2nd goal.
Sure ACFC had lots of chances but they made so many errors as well - were I felt that the Nix were pretty efficient with their ball - infact their 2nd goal I reckon had about 20 passes before they scored - I don't think Auckland will feel robbed, I think they will know they can play a whole heap better.
On the referee - he wasn't perfect and made some mistakes - but I think he got the big calls right - Bilen had to go, didn't see the Doyle thing but if he did grab him by the throat then he had to go. and he was strong on a couple of easy falls in the box by ACFC players (FYI if Ivan isn't appealing for a pen, then it's def not one)
defensively Auckland missed Irving. His speed along the back line allows him to 'cover' very well. As I said earlier Auckland were flat and didn't look like scoring. I still maintain the ref was poor though. He lost control of things when it all kicked off. Yes Bilen should have been sent but if he had blown for a couple of fouls earlier then none of the later stuff would have happened. That's what happens when ref lose control - players get stuck in more and more and it all goes pear shaped!
And whoever it was that Bilen is supposed to have hit should get an Oscar for the most dramatic dive ever. I understand that he was not actually touched! Although the intent was there.
re the referee - people on here who know me will know I am not normally shy of telling a referee a few home truths - but to say the incident with Bilen happened because he hadn't called some fouls - that's pretty bullshark. You say players get stuck in - fine - but Bilen's actions were not the actions of a man getting stuck in, they were actions of a man who had lost control.
I don't think he lost control - I think Bilen lost control - first he charged down the RB after the ball which is why there was a free kick in the first place (cheap shot), ref calls it - Rufer I think comes over and has words, Bilen moves his head towards his and makes contact (IMO).
Then it all kicks off - if you believe the referee was responsible for Bilen's actions I would sure like to hear the thinking behind that.
ACFC did miss Irving - a lot.
re the referee - people on here who know me will know I am not normally shy of telling a referee a few home truths - but to say the incident with Bilen happened because he hadn't called some fouls - that's pretty bullshark. You say players get stuck in - fine - but Bilen's actions were not the actions of a man getting stuck in, they were actions of a man who had lost control.
I don't think he lost control - I think Bilen lost control - first he charged down the RB after the ball which is why there was a free kick in the first place (cheap shot), ref calls it - Rufer I think comes over and has words, Bilen moves his head towards his and makes contact (IMO).
Then it all kicks off - if you believe the referee was responsible for Bilen's actions I would sure like to hear the thinking behind that.
ACFC did miss Irving - a lot.
Look at a player like Chad Coombes. I don't mean to pick on the guy but he has a reputation that the instant something does not go his way, he goes and does something brainless. In this case, I did think there were 2 fouls prior that were missed. Maybe he is one of those brainless guys like you say, that cheap shot on the RB where he didn't get his way and sorts it out himself.
Could he have prevented the headbutt? No
Could he have prevented player frustrations that lead to that point? The opportunity was there.
Looks like the reporter was at a different game to those on this thread
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/football-soccer/news/article.cfm?c_id=86&objectid=11384952
"ACFC were "repeatedly torn apart"... etc
re the referee - people on here who know me will know I am not normally shy of telling a referee a few home truths - but to say the incident with Bilen happened because he hadn't called some fouls - that's pretty bullshark. You say players get stuck in - fine - but Bilen's actions were not the actions of a man getting stuck in, they were actions of a man who had lost control.
I don't think he lost control - I think Bilen lost control - first he charged down the RB after the ball which is why there was a free kick in the first place (cheap shot), ref calls it - Rufer I think comes over and has words, Bilen moves his head towards his and makes contact (IMO).
Then it all kicks off - if you believe the referee was responsible for Bilen's actions I would sure like to hear the thinking behind that.
ACFC did miss Irving - a lot.
Look at a player like Chad Coombes. I don't mean to pick on the guy but he has a reputation that the instant something does not go his way, he goes and does something brainless. In this case, I did think there were 2 fouls prior that were missed. Maybe he is one of those brainless guys like you say, that cheap shot on the RB where he didn't get his way and sorts it out himself.
Could he have prevented the headbutt? No
Could he have prevented player frustrations that lead to that point? The opportunity was there.
sorry wasn't really directing that at you - yeah I agree the referee missed some calls but I don't know that you can blame a referee for a player losing his rag.
I know as a player I hated it when the referee missed things and I would sometimes apply an "even up" tackle - but those are more than likely to be called and as a player you have to accept that - if Bilen had done the cheap shot - took the yellow and not done all the other stuff he might be able to have the moral high ground at the end of the game and blame frustration from the referee on the tackle - but he showed he had lost it when he threw his head at Rufer and then tried after the brawl had died down to have a crack at gulley.
hard to blame the referee at that point.
Sounds like Ramon has some challenges to getting his ship back on track.
I've skimmed the above.
Here's my views:
1. It was great to see Kiwitea Street again. I used to live a couple of blocks away (Haverstock Road - across Sandringham Road) back in 1998/99 and went along to Central's games regularly then. It was especially great to see the place so full.
2. It was great to see a bunch of old friends. Nick, Rich, Mike, Alan Nola and Jeff Hayward and some of the other Kiwitea Street faithful like Arthur, Gordon etc.
3. It was great to see a Kingz shirt, and even greater to see the numbers of Nix shirts on display. Nice to catch up with Kerry at 'her place' too. Likewise with Mr. Harper.
I thought the WeeNix played outstyandingly well, and that the Navy Blues were a bit flat, particularly early in the first half. Not surprising having come from such a massive peak, and then had time off over Christmas and New Year. If they were ever going to be there for the hangover picking, this was it.
I agree that Di Mario had his best game I've seen him play. I disagree slightly with JV's "...and never let Tade get a good look all day" That's a bit geneorus. In the first 15 minutes Tade skinned him badly a couple of times... but after that, Di Mario really stood tall. Time and time again he sheparded Tade wide or to the by line, and time and time again Tade tried to cut back inside and time and time again Di Mario took the ball off him, rounded out near the by line and into space and played the ball forwards. He was immense.
Speaking of immense:
a) Sail was outstanding, particularly in the first half where he pulled of 3 great saves that were goal bound.
b) Rufer (in particular) and Ridenton, Stevens and Blake really played well going forwards. Obviously Nati Hailemariam was a standout with his finishing. He and Stevens on the left and Blake on the right looked very threatening. Going forward it was the best performance I've seen from the WeeNix.
c) JBS lead the back line with aplomb. Doyle shut de Vries down especially effectively. His performance on de Vries was almost as good as Di Mario's on Tade. Gulley's efforts alongside JBS were heroic as well.
I thought the biggest problem in the first half for ACFC was their midfield got sucked too far forward on attack. Thus, when the WeeNix shut them down, Rufer in particular, but also Blake, Riddenton, Gulley and Doyle at times broke into vast open areas in the middle of the park and could just push forward unopposed. ACFC adjusted after half an hour, and this was less of an issue after that.
Oh, and the word I got in the clubrooms is that there are four ACFC players exiting during the transfer window, so they are going to need to do some rebuilding.
Looks like the reporter was at a different game to those on this thread
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/football-soccer/news/article.cfm?c_id=86&objectid=11384952
"ACFC were "repeatedly torn apart"... etc
With due respect to Steven Holloway, I have to ask what game he was watching. The Weenix parked the bus for the entire 2nd half. Weenix had 5 shots all game and I think they were all counter attacks so tough to say they were repeatedly torn apart.
To your other point, Irving gives them some much needed mobility that they are lacking at the back.
To be fair JV, in the first half hour, the WeeNix certainly did repeatedly tear ACFC apart. I have not seen the shot stats, but I will concede the point that they only had 5 shots... but you don't need to have had a shot to have torn them apart... in the first half in particular, they certainly had a anumber of forrays where they waltzed through the almost absent ACFC defensive midfield and set up good raids - some of which lead to shots and 3 of which lead to goals... but some of them lead to the defenders blocking a cross or heading clear etc... but before that there was definitely "tearing apart" going on in the build up.
Note, I am not arguing that the second half was not different. You're right about that, they did park the bus (somewhat at least) and were less threatening - but even then they did mount a number of threatening attacks in the second half.
But my point it is that tearing apart, repeatedly, DID happen, especially in the first half hour. ACFC responded and were certainly much better after that, but it did happen. And I think Steven was contrasting that period to the ironclad defensive performances ACFC put in against vaunted opposition in the CWC. It is a contrast worth making. It was startling stuff (particularly in that first half hour).
Were JBS and Gulley at CB with Doyle on the left?
How old is Dimairo? I saw him playing a few times, he looks like a real good player.
JBS and Evans at CB , Dimairo RB , Doyle LB.
Gulley CM with Rufer and Ridenton.
Evans looked a lot like his father , Ceri. Physically very imposing.
Stevens (left), Blake (Right) and Hallemarin up front.
Might have been a bit harsh on Ridenton in my previous comments - didn't really notice him but Vicelicjh was played out of the game (subeed) and it may have been through Ridentons efforts.
JBS and Evans at CB , Dimairo RB , Doyle LB.
Gulley CM with Rufer and Ridenton.
Evans looked a lot like his father , Ceri. Physically very imposing.
Stevens (left), Blake (Right) and Hallemarin up front.
Might have been a bit harsh on Ridenton in my previous comments - didn't really notice him but Vicelicjh was played out of the game (subeed) and it may have been through Ridentons efforts.
"You shall not pass!"
Apologies... my earlier posts had Gulley and Evans mixed up. In my head I had Gulley at CB and Evans in the CM, and forgot to mention Evans at all. Oops.
Rufer is so composed on the ball. Lot's of time, even in heavy traffic.
Having said that, his distribution is not always crisp - he does sometiems do very well in traffic, leave 2 or 3 opponents grasping, only to then play the ball over the sideline or to an opponent. I admit that.
But on the ball he really has something special about him. He looks a lot like his dad at times the way he fakes players out with his body wieght shifts and subtle touches on the ball in the opposite direction.
He's quite solid too... I'm really excited by his prospects.
Gonna be a BIG crowd for this weekend's top of the table #WellyDerby 2pm at Dave Farrington Park, #WeeNix v TWs.
I know three separate groups of people who don't usually attend who are emailing discussing who is going, transport options etc.
