Latest news from Friends of Football
A hat-trick in only five minutes by Bay Olympic skipper Thomas Boss consigned North Shore United to the day’s biggest loss as the new Northern League season got underway. Bay Olympic beat North Shore 4-0 at Allen Hill Stadium but … Read More
A seven-goal thriller between East Coast Bays and Waitemata heralded the start of a new Lotto NRFL first division season which saw red cards, late goals and the claiming of bragging rights in the MAP-Metro local derby. Waitemata beat Bays … Read More
Ngaruawahia United have returned to football’s Lotto NRFL after clinching the second leg of their promotion play-off series against Papakura City. The men in green beat ‘Kura 2-1 at their home ground of Centennial Park to take out the series … Read More
Though it was not used in pool games, VAR technology looks likely to be used for the knockout stages of the Oceania FIFA World Cup qualifying tournament. The clue lies in the naming of match officials for New Zealand’s semi-final … Read More
Fans of the women’s game have plenty to get excited about with two grand finals and the start of another Lotto NRFL Women’s Premier League on ‘Super Sunday’ (March 27). The flagship event is the long-awaited final of the Kate … Read More
Whichever team lifts the Kate Sheppard Cup on Sunday, they will write a new chapter in the history of their clubs. For Wellington United, a club that forged its football roots in 1893, a victory at Auckland’s North Harbour Stadium … Read More
This weekend must surely be the busiest for football supporters in many a season. We’ve got an All Whites game in the World Cup, a Wellington Phoenix match, the Kate Sheppard Cup final, the women’s A-League grand final, as well … Read More
With the pool games completed, New Zealand’s World Cup mission has become quite simple. Three games lie ahead. Win all three and the All Whites of 2022 will join those of 1982 and 2010 as sides to reach football’s biggest … Read More
In his fourth World Cup briefing for Friends of Football, All Whites legend Ricki Herbert analyses New Zealand’s 7-1 win against New Caledonia. By Ricki Herbert One day, head coach Danny Hay may well look back and be thankful for … Read More
New Zealand took New Caledonia apart 7-1 with a ruthless performance in their final group game at the Oceania FIFA World Cup qualifying tournament in Qatar. Goals by Alex Greive (2), Chris Wood (2), Logan Rogerson (pen), Andre de Jong … Read More
By Jonno Ross The men’s and women’s Lotto NRFL competitions get underway at the weekend with a local derby and games involving West Coast Rangers attracting attention. Saturday (men’s Division 1) This year’s men’s first division looks particularly competitive with … Read More
By Jonno Ross It’s seven months since a ball was kicked in competition but the Northern League returns on Saturday March 26 with a full round of weekend fixtures. The draw will provide some clues as to the relative strengths … Read More
Hamilton Wanderers striker Helen Arjomandi is one goal from equalling a long-held goalscoring record — and she’ll get her chance to score it in the highest-profile cup game of the year. Arjomandi’s Wanderers side go into the final of the … Read More
New Zealand will meet Tahiti in the semi-finals of the Oceania FIFA World Cup qualifying tournament on Monday (6.30am NZT). By the time they kick-off, they will already know who their potential final opponent as Solomon Islands meet Papua New … Read More
Three New Zealanders have been selected to take part in a global FIFA scheme to boost the ranks of women coaches. They are Football Fern Annalie Longo, former national U-20 goalkeeper Tessa Nicol and Canterbury coach Alana Gunn. They will … Read More
Supporters will be able to attend the Kate Sheppard Cup final after all — and entry will be free! The announcement by the Government (March 23) to relax restrictions for outside gatherings means the NZ Football Foundation-sponsored game no longer … Read More
He’s the forgotten man of New Zealand football but Hamilton-born Adam Thomas is landing rave reviews for courage and determination as he makes a career comeback on the other side of the world. Thomas (28), who lost six years of … Read More
Sunday’s Kate Sheppard Cup final will become the last hurrah for some of the Hamilton Wanderers players who will face Wellington United at Auckland’s North Harbour Stadium. After a cup campaign that’s taken nine months due to COVID-related disruptions, some … Read More