1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,787 Speaker 1: from Newstalk ZB. 3 00:00:12,787 --> 00:00:15,427 Speaker 2: One week to go until the New A League Men's 4 00:00:15,587 --> 00:00:19,307 Speaker 2: season is underway. One week until the competition's newest club, 5 00:00:19,387 --> 00:00:20,987 Speaker 2: Auckland FC, make their debut. 6 00:00:21,067 --> 00:00:23,307 Speaker 3: In fact, it's only six days Saturday. 7 00:00:23,427 --> 00:00:26,547 Speaker 2: They take on Brisbane Raw at go Media Mount Smart Stadium, 8 00:00:26,547 --> 00:00:29,907 Speaker 2: five o'clock kickoff. Head coach of Auckland FC is Steve Coricker, 9 00:00:29,907 --> 00:00:32,387 Speaker 2: who joins US now. Steve six days out from the 10 00:00:32,387 --> 00:00:35,667 Speaker 2: start of the season, would you say you're where you 11 00:00:35,787 --> 00:00:36,427 Speaker 2: wanted to be. 12 00:00:39,067 --> 00:00:41,587 Speaker 4: I think when you start a new club it takes 13 00:00:41,627 --> 00:00:45,587 Speaker 4: a lot of time. Obviously players, to bring in staff, 14 00:00:46,387 --> 00:00:48,507 Speaker 4: just everything. It takes a lot of time. 15 00:00:49,347 --> 00:00:51,907 Speaker 5: We've finally got all our players in so a little 16 00:00:51,907 --> 00:00:55,147 Speaker 5: bit later than we expected, especially with the foreign players. 17 00:00:55,707 --> 00:00:58,027 Speaker 5: We had a few come in about three weeks ago 18 00:00:58,107 --> 00:01:00,867 Speaker 5: and one just arrived this week, so. 19 00:01:02,427 --> 00:01:04,187 Speaker 4: You know, I'd like them to have a little bit 20 00:01:04,227 --> 00:01:05,747 Speaker 4: more time with the boys. 21 00:01:05,827 --> 00:01:08,267 Speaker 5: But all in all, I think it's been a very 22 00:01:08,307 --> 00:01:09,987 Speaker 5: good preseason for us and the boys. 23 00:01:10,067 --> 00:01:12,667 Speaker 4: Have you really taken on board what we're trying to 24 00:01:12,707 --> 00:01:15,267 Speaker 4: do and really improved as the season. 25 00:01:15,427 --> 00:01:18,507 Speaker 5: As the preseason went along, so we're happy where we 26 00:01:18,547 --> 00:01:19,187 Speaker 5: are at the moment. 27 00:01:19,667 --> 00:01:22,027 Speaker 2: What have been the biggest challenges over the last few 28 00:01:22,067 --> 00:01:25,467 Speaker 2: months as you've basically built a squad from scratch. 29 00:01:26,187 --> 00:01:29,867 Speaker 5: Yeah, yeah, it's been it's been a real challenge, but 30 00:01:29,947 --> 00:01:31,987 Speaker 5: a really exciting one. This was part of the reason 31 00:01:32,027 --> 00:01:34,507 Speaker 5: why I wanted to come here, to be involved in 32 00:01:34,587 --> 00:01:37,587 Speaker 5: something new and fresh for me obviously being at one 33 00:01:37,627 --> 00:01:40,027 Speaker 5: club for nineteen years, and to do it with obviously 34 00:01:40,107 --> 00:01:43,907 Speaker 5: tear them at Flynn and obviously Nick Becker. You know, 35 00:01:43,987 --> 00:01:46,627 Speaker 5: we started the three of us started very similar as 36 00:01:46,627 --> 00:01:50,187 Speaker 5: times and you know we've put together twenty six players, 37 00:01:50,307 --> 00:01:54,027 Speaker 5: fourteen staff, fifteen fourteen or fifteen staff and obviously now 38 00:01:54,067 --> 00:01:56,187 Speaker 5: in Knicks team as well in the office staff there's 39 00:01:56,227 --> 00:02:00,467 Speaker 5: been twenty twenty staff members so all in what eight 40 00:02:00,547 --> 00:02:04,187 Speaker 5: nine months really, so I think we've done. 41 00:02:03,947 --> 00:02:05,427 Speaker 4: Really well to get to where we are. 42 00:02:06,667 --> 00:02:09,587 Speaker 5: Now is the time that for the football side of 43 00:02:09,587 --> 00:02:12,067 Speaker 5: things is where we where we start and you know, 44 00:02:12,107 --> 00:02:13,867 Speaker 5: we want to obviously get off to a good start 45 00:02:13,907 --> 00:02:17,187 Speaker 5: against Brisbane and get three points and there's a lot 46 00:02:17,227 --> 00:02:20,147 Speaker 5: of talk that it might be sold out the stadium, which. 47 00:02:19,987 --> 00:02:22,907 Speaker 4: Is obviously fantastic for our first game and it. 48 00:02:22,947 --> 00:02:26,307 Speaker 5: Just shows the support that you know we will have 49 00:02:26,387 --> 00:02:27,467 Speaker 5: here if we do really well. 50 00:02:27,907 --> 00:02:32,027 Speaker 2: By my account, Steve eighteen of your twenty six Kiwi's 51 00:02:32,347 --> 00:02:33,467 Speaker 2: how intentional was that? 52 00:02:34,747 --> 00:02:36,467 Speaker 5: Yeah, well that was a bit of a brief from 53 00:02:36,507 --> 00:02:39,187 Speaker 5: the owner as well. He wanted as many Kiwi players 54 00:02:39,387 --> 00:02:43,827 Speaker 5: as possible. You know, he wants to give them opportunities, 55 00:02:43,907 --> 00:02:46,387 Speaker 5: you know, and I think with the wider group that 56 00:02:46,627 --> 00:02:49,467 Speaker 5: that he does own other football clubs, he wants to 57 00:02:49,507 --> 00:02:52,427 Speaker 5: give them opportunities obviously to do well here in Auckland 58 00:02:52,507 --> 00:02:54,587 Speaker 5: and then if they are really good, well then they 59 00:02:54,587 --> 00:02:58,307 Speaker 5: can move to another club that you know that he owns. 60 00:02:58,587 --> 00:03:01,947 Speaker 5: That's you know, that's he wants to. He loves New Zealand. 61 00:03:01,987 --> 00:03:04,907 Speaker 5: He's spoken about it before. He has obviously restaurants and 62 00:03:05,307 --> 00:03:08,507 Speaker 5: bars here and why and you know he really likes 63 00:03:08,587 --> 00:03:11,267 Speaker 5: it here. So he wants to give opportunities for young 64 00:03:11,347 --> 00:03:13,027 Speaker 5: Kiwi players to come through. 65 00:03:13,667 --> 00:03:15,427 Speaker 2: You've watched a bit of our national league, quite a 66 00:03:15,427 --> 00:03:18,227 Speaker 2: bit of national league to bring some players on board, 67 00:03:18,227 --> 00:03:21,427 Speaker 2: be a full time or scholarship players. When you're watching 68 00:03:21,707 --> 00:03:25,067 Speaker 2: New Zealand's national league for players you might recruit, what 69 00:03:25,107 --> 00:03:27,547 Speaker 2: are you specifically looking for to give you comfort that 70 00:03:27,587 --> 00:03:29,307 Speaker 2: they can make the step up to A league. 71 00:03:30,267 --> 00:03:32,547 Speaker 5: I think, you know, we sort of look at the 72 00:03:33,067 --> 00:03:37,027 Speaker 5: positions that we were looking for at the time, and 73 00:03:37,667 --> 00:03:41,267 Speaker 5: you know, in the position is obviously a certain criteria 74 00:03:41,307 --> 00:03:43,107 Speaker 5: that we are looking for. You know, as a winger, 75 00:03:43,187 --> 00:03:44,747 Speaker 5: we want them to be able to dribble, we want 76 00:03:44,827 --> 00:03:46,867 Speaker 5: them to be able to score goals, we want to 77 00:03:46,907 --> 00:03:49,667 Speaker 5: create opportunities to be able to cross the ball. So 78 00:03:50,027 --> 00:03:54,147 Speaker 5: there's all different things for different positions. I was quite 79 00:03:54,147 --> 00:03:56,867 Speaker 5: surprised actually because obviously coming here, I didn't know too 80 00:03:56,907 --> 00:04:01,627 Speaker 5: much about the well the Northern League which we got 81 00:04:01,667 --> 00:04:03,827 Speaker 5: most of our players from, and then obviously they've gone 82 00:04:03,827 --> 00:04:04,867 Speaker 5: into the National League. 83 00:04:04,867 --> 00:04:06,187 Speaker 4: Now. I was surprised with. 84 00:04:06,187 --> 00:04:10,587 Speaker 5: The standard and some really good talented young players I 85 00:04:10,587 --> 00:04:12,787 Speaker 5: think you're going to see come through that and into 86 00:04:12,827 --> 00:04:16,107 Speaker 5: our into our squad, and I think, you know, we've 87 00:04:16,147 --> 00:04:18,507 Speaker 5: we've got quite a number of players that haven't played 88 00:04:18,507 --> 00:04:20,947 Speaker 5: in the A League before and they've come from obviously 89 00:04:21,667 --> 00:04:24,907 Speaker 5: the Northern League, and I'm excited to see what they're 90 00:04:24,907 --> 00:04:25,307 Speaker 5: going to do. 91 00:04:26,627 --> 00:04:27,667 Speaker 4: Give it the opportunity. 92 00:04:28,267 --> 00:04:30,107 Speaker 2: Well that's your New Zealanders, and of course you've got 93 00:04:30,307 --> 00:04:33,227 Speaker 2: a sprinkling of Australians as well. But what about the imports, Steve, 94 00:04:33,267 --> 00:04:37,427 Speaker 2: you must have literally hundreds of players pitched to you. 95 00:04:37,747 --> 00:04:39,467 Speaker 2: How do you narrow that list down and then make 96 00:04:39,507 --> 00:04:41,907 Speaker 2: your recruitment decisions about your imports? 97 00:04:42,747 --> 00:04:44,507 Speaker 4: Yeah, you know they come from everywhere. 98 00:04:44,587 --> 00:04:47,067 Speaker 5: Agents, you know, send a lot of players. We we 99 00:04:47,307 --> 00:04:50,387 Speaker 5: just got to filter through. Obviously, we have a criteria 100 00:04:50,387 --> 00:04:54,867 Speaker 5: that we look for that as well. You know that course, 101 00:04:56,107 --> 00:04:59,627 Speaker 5: he's ahead of recruitment as well. We have platforms that 102 00:04:59,667 --> 00:05:02,267 Speaker 5: we work through as well that we get players sent through. 103 00:05:02,387 --> 00:05:06,027 Speaker 4: And you know, it's just a process and that's that's 104 00:05:06,027 --> 00:05:08,707 Speaker 4: why it's probably taken a little bit longer than expected. 105 00:05:08,747 --> 00:05:12,267 Speaker 5: But you know, when you're dealing with twenty six players, 106 00:05:12,747 --> 00:05:15,387 Speaker 5: you know you expect that. But the foreigners normally come 107 00:05:15,507 --> 00:05:18,027 Speaker 5: later than everyone else. But for me, they've probably come. 108 00:05:18,867 --> 00:05:20,507 Speaker 5: You know, it's taken us a little bit more time 109 00:05:20,507 --> 00:05:22,987 Speaker 5: to get them once. Let's let's say that with visas 110 00:05:23,027 --> 00:05:24,947 Speaker 5: and all that kind of stuff as well. You know 111 00:05:24,987 --> 00:05:27,827 Speaker 5: we need visas from Australia and New Zealand, not just 112 00:05:27,907 --> 00:05:29,187 Speaker 5: from one country, so. 113 00:05:29,467 --> 00:05:30,147 Speaker 4: It takes time. 114 00:05:30,267 --> 00:05:34,387 Speaker 5: But we're pleased with the foreigners that we have, and 115 00:05:34,467 --> 00:05:36,907 Speaker 5: you know, the ones that have been playing, you can 116 00:05:36,947 --> 00:05:39,187 Speaker 5: see them obviously they weren't fit when they got here. 117 00:05:39,587 --> 00:05:42,147 Speaker 5: They've been here three weeks and you know they're starting 118 00:05:42,147 --> 00:05:43,867 Speaker 5: to step it up now, which is which is great. 119 00:05:43,947 --> 00:05:46,027 Speaker 4: Ready for the ready for the start of the season. 120 00:05:46,387 --> 00:05:48,027 Speaker 3: What if you looked to try to achieve in your 121 00:05:48,067 --> 00:05:49,467 Speaker 3: preseason matches. 122 00:05:50,827 --> 00:05:53,307 Speaker 5: Well, we wanted to obviously play against A League teams, 123 00:05:53,347 --> 00:05:56,507 Speaker 5: which you know we had to go to Australia for that, 124 00:05:56,587 --> 00:05:58,467 Speaker 5: which was fantastic for us. 125 00:05:58,427 --> 00:06:02,227 Speaker 4: To have of the opportunity to go to Sydney. We've 126 00:06:02,227 --> 00:06:04,587 Speaker 4: played against I think it was. 127 00:06:04,587 --> 00:06:07,787 Speaker 5: Three teams in Sydney that was our first taste of 128 00:06:07,867 --> 00:06:10,987 Speaker 5: a league and then obviously we went to Melbourne we 129 00:06:10,987 --> 00:06:14,307 Speaker 5: played against WEELB the city were the anoited. So we've 130 00:06:14,307 --> 00:06:17,067 Speaker 5: seen now you know, five teams of the A League 131 00:06:17,507 --> 00:06:20,587 Speaker 5: where we had to improve and where we were and 132 00:06:21,507 --> 00:06:23,707 Speaker 5: at that stage where we didn't have any of the foreigners, 133 00:06:23,747 --> 00:06:28,507 Speaker 5: so we competed really well. I think, you know, the 134 00:06:28,547 --> 00:06:30,867 Speaker 5: boys should be happy where we are at the moment. 135 00:06:30,987 --> 00:06:35,507 Speaker 5: You know, we played Malaysia, the Asia national team yesterday 136 00:06:35,547 --> 00:06:40,267 Speaker 5: and really had a fantastic performance. So you know we're building, 137 00:06:40,267 --> 00:06:43,307 Speaker 5: we're getting better as which we as we expect from 138 00:06:43,667 --> 00:06:45,787 Speaker 5: a new team. We expect to get better each game 139 00:06:45,827 --> 00:06:47,827 Speaker 5: and improve as the season goes along. 140 00:06:48,187 --> 00:06:49,547 Speaker 3: Have you decided on your captain? 141 00:06:52,227 --> 00:06:56,707 Speaker 5: I have, yes, it'll be probably named next week we 142 00:06:57,227 --> 00:07:01,307 Speaker 5: started the season. We'll we'll announce that as a club 143 00:07:01,347 --> 00:07:04,627 Speaker 5: as we you know, obviously get closer to the season. 144 00:07:04,827 --> 00:07:06,307 Speaker 2: Look forward to that and a lot of talk about 145 00:07:06,427 --> 00:07:08,347 Speaker 2: keewe Darby. Steve, I'm sure you've picked up on this, 146 00:07:08,827 --> 00:07:10,227 Speaker 2: but have you also got a bit of an eye 147 00:07:10,227 --> 00:07:12,907 Speaker 2: on round two when Sydney FC, the club you spend 148 00:07:12,947 --> 00:07:15,107 Speaker 2: all that time at as a player and a coach, 149 00:07:15,267 --> 00:07:17,147 Speaker 2: when they come to Aortland there's like a mini Darby 150 00:07:17,187 --> 00:07:17,507 Speaker 2: for you. 151 00:07:18,507 --> 00:07:22,667 Speaker 5: Yeah, it will be but and obviously the Wellingter game 152 00:07:22,747 --> 00:07:25,187 Speaker 5: is going to be something special as well. But to 153 00:07:25,227 --> 00:07:27,227 Speaker 5: be honest with you, I think my focus is on 154 00:07:27,227 --> 00:07:30,867 Speaker 5: one game, the Brisbane game only, and you know we've 155 00:07:30,867 --> 00:07:33,427 Speaker 5: got a bit of work to do this week on Brisbane. 156 00:07:33,507 --> 00:07:35,227 Speaker 4: You know they're a good young. 157 00:07:35,027 --> 00:07:37,947 Speaker 5: Team and they have a lot of pace as well, 158 00:07:38,027 --> 00:07:40,667 Speaker 5: so you know we will work only on Brisbane and 159 00:07:40,707 --> 00:07:43,587 Speaker 5: then obviously myself I have in the back of my 160 00:07:43,627 --> 00:07:46,347 Speaker 5: head obviously Sydney and Wellington and what we need to 161 00:07:47,067 --> 00:07:48,387 Speaker 5: get ready for them. 162 00:07:48,427 --> 00:07:50,787 Speaker 4: But right now it's mainly the Brisbane game. 163 00:07:50,867 --> 00:07:52,507 Speaker 2: Yeah, well I'm hearing the same things you are about 164 00:07:52,587 --> 00:07:55,587 Speaker 2: Nick Saturday, Steve a sellout and coming at Mount Smart 165 00:07:55,747 --> 00:07:57,827 Speaker 2: sounds some of your wonderful occasion. Thanks for taking the 166 00:07:57,827 --> 00:07:59,827 Speaker 2: time this afternoon, all the beasts you put your final 167 00:08:00,027 --> 00:08:01,507 Speaker 2: touches of preparation on your team. 168 00:08:01,667 --> 00:08:03,627 Speaker 4: Thanks very much, Jason cheers, No, thank. 169 00:08:03,467 --> 00:08:03,787 Speaker 3: You, Steve. 170 00:08:03,787 --> 00:08:07,707 Speaker 2: Steve Coriker their head coach of Auckland FC. So yeah, 171 00:08:07,907 --> 00:08:10,067 Speaker 2: they're obviously well on track. Be interesting to see who 172 00:08:10,107 --> 00:08:12,667 Speaker 2: their captain is. I get the feeling it could be 173 00:08:12,707 --> 00:08:18,267 Speaker 2: Hiroki Sakai. They're highly experienced Japanese defender. I don't know 174 00:08:18,307 --> 00:08:21,107 Speaker 2: anything more than I'm just having a guess. There are 175 00:08:21,147 --> 00:08:22,907 Speaker 2: a couple of other candidates, but I wonder whether he 176 00:08:22,987 --> 00:08:24,907 Speaker 2: might get the armband. I guess we'll find out in 177 00:08:25,027 --> 00:08:25,627 Speaker 2: due course. 178 00:08:26,307 --> 00:08:29,507 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 179 00:08:29,627 --> 00:08:32,907 Speaker 1: to News Talk st B weekends from midday, or follow 180 00:08:32,947 --> 00:08:34,547 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.