Latest news from Friends of Football
A 5-0 loss to Napier City Rovers early this season will spur Waterside Karori in Sunday’s Chatham Cup tie, says Wharfies skipper Harry Fautley. “Not one of our finest days, for sure, but I think it’s given us a bit … Read More
Cambridge-based footballer Nat Young will spend a week of her July school holidays training at women’s A-League club Melbourne Victory. Young, who turns 15 in July, will attend six training sessions during her week at the club, experiencing what it … Read More
New Zealand captain Manaia Elliott says the rotation of players at the OFC U-19 Women’s Championship demonstrates the depth in their squad as they prepare for Saturday’s final against Fiji. “I think it also just shows the depth in the … Read More
New Zealand coach Leon Birnie says he faces a tough decision in naming a starting line-up for Saturday’s OFC U-19 Women’s Championship final against Fiji. “There will be some disappointed players who won’t be starting, but we’ve done a lot … Read More
Football Ferns coach Jitka Klimková says defender Meikayla Moore still needs time for herself before being able to discuss the decision to omit her from New Zealand’s squad for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. “I’ve texted her but she’s still … Read More
Indigenous flags of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand will be on display at FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ matches. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has written to senior government officials of the competition’s co-host nations to honour their support of a … Read More
Waiheke United’s struggle to avoid relegation has taken another blow with the departure of Uruguayan goalkeeper Sebastian Ciganda to national champions Auckland City. Ciganda (29) joins Conor Tracey and Joe Wallis as Auckland City’s third goalkeeper, after six seasons with … Read More
Here’s your guide to the weekend’s football with rounds in the Chatham Cup and Kate Sheppard Cup, as well as men’s and women’s Lotto NRFL games in the north. On Saturday, the final of the OFC U-19 Women’s Championship takes … Read More
Procter & Gamble have become an official partner of New Zealand Football and the Ford Football Ferns, showcasing their Gillette Venus, Olay, Oral-B and Pantene brands. With women’s sport and in particular football growing throughout the world, New Zealand Football … Read More
By Logan Smith South Island clubs are eyeing the chance to go into the nationwide draw stages of the Chatham Cup and Kate Sheppard Cup. Saturday sees Roslyn-Wakari host Wanaka in Round 4 of the Chatham Cup, which also has … Read More
The do-or-die nature of cup football ensures upset victories — and this weekend’s fourth-round ties in the Chatham Cup will likely produce their share. It’s the 100th year of football’s oldest cup competition, increasing the attention as the final gets … Read More
By Jonno Ross With the two leaders out of action, the chasing pack get the chance close the gap in this weekend’s Lotto NRFL Men’s Championship fixtures. Tauranga City, Hibiscus Coast, Ellerslie and Mount Albert Ponsonby can all catch the … Read More
By Jack Sharp The Lotto NRFL Northern Conference is turning into a hotly-contested competition in which any of the clubs in the top half of the table can mount a run at the title. With seven rounds to go, there … Read More
By Jack Sharp Two of the title favourites — Waikato Unicol and Cambridge — go toe-to-toe this weekend as the Lotto NRFL Southern Conference goes into the second half of its season. Third-placed Taupo can’t afford to falter at Claudelands … Read More
Football Fern CJ Bott has agreed a two-year contract extension with her English club Leicester City. Right-sided defender Bott (28) is contracted to the Foxes till at least the English summer of 2025. Bott told Leicester City’s television channel: “I … Read More
Eastern Suburbs have reached the last four of this year’s Kate Sheppard Cup after beating Ellerslie 4-2 in a quarter-final on Thursday night. Playing under lights at OFC’s Ngahue Reserve, Football Fern Deven Jackson put the Lilywhites ahead after only … Read More
Fifty years ago, the Chatham Cup final was staged at Auckland’s Newmarket Park — the first time it had been played away from Wellington’s Basin Reserve. Only replays had taken the showcase event away from the capital — including the … Read More
Wellington Phoenix midfielder Grace Wisnewski will join the Football Ferns squad as a training player to help the side prepare for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. She replaces defender Meikayla Moore who has withdrawn as a training player for personal … Read More