Latest news from Friends of Football
All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley says his team’s performance against Egypt was encouraging but they need to find ways to turn that into goals and victories. Speaking after New Zealand’s 1-0 loss in Cairo, Bazeley said: “I thought we … Read More
Egypt have beaten New Zealand 1-0 in the semi-final of the Egypt Capital Cup in Cairo. READ MORE: Penalty sinks All Whites in tournament opener against hosts Egypt >>>> Here are the highlights of the game, provided by FIFA+. Watch … Read More
Egypt have beaten the All Whites 1-0 with a penalty awarded only after a VAR review overturned the referee’s original decision. Mostafa Mohamed’s goal from the spot was the deciding factor in a match in which both sides hit the … Read More
Defending Northern League champions Auckland City are off to a winning start with a 3-0 victory against neighbours Auckland United in Friday’s Dominion Road Derby. They led 2-0 at half-time in the season opener at Keith Hay Park before putting … Read More
Auckland United captain Talisha Green wants her team to repay the support they’re getting from friends and families in New Zealand as they go into Saturday’s OFC Women’s Champions League final. “It’s very inspiring seeing what’s happening back home and … Read More
The Wellington Phoenix are wary of a “dangerous” Canberra United side and their “nothing to lose mentality” ahead of their crunch round 21 women’s A-League match in Australia’s capital. The Phoenix need to beat Canberra at McKellar Park on Sunday … Read More
Expect referees to take a “robust approach” to bad behaviour from players and coaches this season, and to crack down on time wasting. NZ Football’s Referee Committee have released guidelines ahead of the new domestic season, outlining how they expect … Read More
The top regional men’s and women’s competitions get underway in the north, with the opening rounds of the men’s Northern League and the Lotto NRFL Women’s Premiership. The Lotto NRFL Men’s Championship has its first round of matches, all at … Read More
Defender Liberato Cacace will wear the skipper’s armband for the first time when he leads the All Whites out in Saturday’s international match against Egypt. “When Baze (head coach Darren Bazeley) told me, it was an honour,” 20-cap Cacace (23) … Read More
By Jonno Ross Relegated Takapuna and Manukau United need to start their season well as they drop into the Lotto NRFL Men’s Championship. Last year’s Championship was unkind to the two sides relegated from the Northern League, with Waiheke United … Read More
By Jonno Ross A hectic summer of transfers — in which Northern League clubs have seen more than 150 players on the move — suggests the opening rounds will provide big clues as to who’ll gain the most benefit. On … Read More
By Joan Grey The 2024 Lotto NRFL Women’s Premiership kicks off on Friday night when West Coast Rangers host Western Springs in the opener at Fred Taylor Park in Whenuapai. Eight teams will vie for the Women’s Premier League title … Read More
By Jack Sharp Coaching changes will have a major influence on this season’s Lotto NRFL Men’s Championship, with two-thirds of the clubs changing leadership in their dugouts. While some clubs will benefit from the injection of new ideas and coaching … Read More
By Scott Mardon As the 2024 Northern League season prepares to get underway, here’s a rundown of more than 150 player movements at the clubs. The season got underway on Friday March 22, 2024. Most of the transfers have been … Read More
Defending champions Auckland City aim to extend their winning streak against neighbours Auckland United to five matches when the match starts the Northern League season under Friday night lights at Keith Hay Park. The Dominion Road Derby, as the match … Read More
New Zealand international striker Katie Rood has signed for Auckland club Western Springs after playing overseas for more than 10 years. Rood (31) has not played competitive football since April 2023, when she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, … Read More
New Zealand’s Football Ferns will play group games against hosts France, holders Canada and Colombia at the Paris Olympics. New Zealand’s opening match will be against 2022 gold medalists Canada at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne. on Friday July 26, 2024, … Read More
New Zealand’s OlyWhites have been drawn to play group games against hosts France, the United States and the winner of an Asian-African play-off at the Paris Olympics. New Zealand’s opening match will be against the play-off winners at the Stade … Read More