1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from News Talks EDB. 3 00:00:12,547 --> 00:00:15,627 Speaker 2: They're on News Talks EDB. Extraordinary game of football in 4 00:00:15,667 --> 00:00:19,147 Speaker 2: the A League at go Media Stadium, Mount Smart yesterday 5 00:00:19,667 --> 00:00:24,427 Speaker 2: between Auckland f C and Adelaide United. Late late late 6 00:00:24,507 --> 00:00:28,547 Speaker 2: in the game, Hiroki Saki, Auckland FC's captain, scored a 7 00:00:28,547 --> 00:00:30,947 Speaker 2: goal that took Auckland f C into a four to 8 00:00:31,067 --> 00:00:32,787 Speaker 2: three lead. This was I think in the second or 9 00:00:32,867 --> 00:00:36,187 Speaker 2: third minute of added time and it looked as though 10 00:00:36,347 --> 00:00:39,267 Speaker 2: Auckland f C would steal all three points, not steal them, 11 00:00:39,307 --> 00:00:42,027 Speaker 2: but take all three points and the seven goal thriller, 12 00:00:42,067 --> 00:00:43,507 Speaker 2: But there was more to come. 13 00:00:43,827 --> 00:00:47,227 Speaker 3: Still there. 14 00:00:49,747 --> 00:00:55,707 Speaker 4: And freeze has fired hope for post range and the 15 00:00:56,027 --> 00:01:00,467 Speaker 4: energy sucked out of the grounds. Is one important defender 16 00:01:01,307 --> 00:01:03,947 Speaker 4: scored the goalie thorm and give her side victory. 17 00:01:04,947 --> 00:01:08,427 Speaker 3: The Dutchman brings scores the. 18 00:01:08,547 --> 00:01:12,107 Speaker 4: Eighth goal of an incredible. 19 00:01:11,387 --> 00:01:15,227 Speaker 3: A League next and brings a vent to for four. 20 00:01:15,507 --> 00:01:17,907 Speaker 2: Yeah for all the final score. Let's bring in former 21 00:01:17,987 --> 00:01:20,707 Speaker 2: All White striker Noel Barkley, who's been a keen observer 22 00:01:20,827 --> 00:01:24,107 Speaker 2: of Auckland FC in their maiden season and has always 23 00:01:24,307 --> 00:01:27,067 Speaker 2: had a very good footballing brain, Noel, thanks for joining us. 24 00:01:27,107 --> 00:01:31,427 Speaker 2: Let's start with what happened during the game yesterday. Having 25 00:01:31,707 --> 00:01:35,027 Speaker 2: led two nil, three to one and four to three 26 00:01:35,227 --> 00:01:38,427 Speaker 2: late on what Auckland f C coach Steve Coriker see 27 00:01:38,427 --> 00:01:40,707 Speaker 2: this as as two points dropped. 28 00:01:41,627 --> 00:01:43,707 Speaker 5: Well, I think we I think anybody who with an 29 00:01:43,707 --> 00:01:46,907 Speaker 5: Aukland perspective will see it as a point to drop. 30 00:01:47,027 --> 00:01:50,787 Speaker 5: Then after the game, in my group of peers, we 31 00:01:50,987 --> 00:01:53,587 Speaker 5: just everybody was completely done and felt like a loss. 32 00:01:53,587 --> 00:01:55,587 Speaker 5: I had to keep reminding ourselves that we actually drew 33 00:01:55,627 --> 00:01:59,107 Speaker 5: with the second best team in the league. So it's 34 00:01:59,147 --> 00:02:01,987 Speaker 5: so awful yesterday and it just was a bit of 35 00:02:01,987 --> 00:02:04,027 Speaker 5: a killer the way it happened. But you know, the 36 00:02:04,107 --> 00:02:07,267 Speaker 5: game had absolutely everything that you would want an again, 37 00:02:07,667 --> 00:02:12,307 Speaker 5: lots of goals, an absolute worldy with my preer defending 38 00:02:12,867 --> 00:02:14,907 Speaker 5: for both teams really for a couple of the goals, 39 00:02:16,147 --> 00:02:18,667 Speaker 5: and you know again that you're on the edge of 40 00:02:18,707 --> 00:02:22,667 Speaker 5: the seat. Some sort of controversy around around the penalties 41 00:02:22,707 --> 00:02:26,427 Speaker 5: and there's some discussion around that obviously, but yeah, look 42 00:02:26,547 --> 00:02:28,587 Speaker 5: what an advert for the A League. Even the Australians 43 00:02:28,667 --> 00:02:30,467 Speaker 5: must be starting to think it often is a good 44 00:02:30,507 --> 00:02:33,547 Speaker 5: thing for the league. Because they're certainly certainly up in 45 00:02:33,627 --> 00:02:37,867 Speaker 5: the attendances and the eyeballs and that everything's good about 46 00:02:37,907 --> 00:02:40,707 Speaker 5: it and great to see the best two teams in 47 00:02:40,707 --> 00:02:41,227 Speaker 5: the league. 48 00:02:41,387 --> 00:02:43,747 Speaker 2: Yeah. No, that the narrative coming out of Australia yesterday 49 00:02:43,827 --> 00:02:46,307 Speaker 2: was exactly that they were. They were as captivated by 50 00:02:46,347 --> 00:02:48,467 Speaker 2: it as we all were, and probably from a neutral's 51 00:02:48,467 --> 00:02:50,307 Speaker 2: point of view, it's a lot easy, yeah, to be 52 00:02:50,467 --> 00:02:52,507 Speaker 2: so rather than being a fan of one of the teams, 53 00:02:52,867 --> 00:02:55,067 Speaker 2: Auckland FC is a team, no, that's been built on 54 00:02:55,107 --> 00:02:58,627 Speaker 2: the best defense in the camp. So how disappointed will 55 00:02:58,667 --> 00:03:00,947 Speaker 2: they be that they let four goals and let those 56 00:03:01,027 --> 00:03:01,907 Speaker 2: leads slip? 57 00:03:03,467 --> 00:03:06,067 Speaker 5: Yeah, I mean I guess you could bind them for 58 00:03:06,427 --> 00:03:08,667 Speaker 5: all four goals because I mean they did they did 59 00:03:08,707 --> 00:03:11,067 Speaker 5: get two penalties and and yes they were soft, but 60 00:03:11,107 --> 00:03:13,667 Speaker 5: there was you know, there's a certain contact here and there, 61 00:03:15,387 --> 00:03:17,627 Speaker 5: and they said defending and the last goal was just 62 00:03:17,747 --> 00:03:20,587 Speaker 5: absolutely terrible. So that they'll be gutted because that is 63 00:03:20,627 --> 00:03:24,227 Speaker 5: their their main stay. And then they're not big goal scorers. 64 00:03:24,267 --> 00:03:26,107 Speaker 5: A little about ten in the last two games and 65 00:03:26,267 --> 00:03:29,907 Speaker 5: sort of refute that. But over the over the season 66 00:03:29,987 --> 00:03:32,627 Speaker 5: they've really sort of been one one. Letl to know 67 00:03:32,827 --> 00:03:35,027 Speaker 5: and then you can go without let in the game. 68 00:03:35,107 --> 00:03:38,427 Speaker 5: So they're not prolific apart from lately, so they'll be 69 00:03:38,467 --> 00:03:42,747 Speaker 5: gutted and they'll be destroyed it. You know, they'll give 70 00:03:42,787 --> 00:03:45,187 Speaker 5: them so many goals. I think it's three one. They 71 00:03:45,187 --> 00:03:47,787 Speaker 5: thought the game was over. I'm not sure what's happened 72 00:03:47,827 --> 00:03:50,147 Speaker 5: with Maximata, whether he's injured. They took him off last 73 00:03:50,147 --> 00:03:51,827 Speaker 5: week and that was fine because it was a it 74 00:03:51,947 --> 00:03:56,227 Speaker 5: was a walkover, and but yesterday three one, that game 75 00:03:56,307 --> 00:03:59,307 Speaker 5: was far from over. Fifty five minutes to take away 76 00:03:59,307 --> 00:04:01,387 Speaker 5: your sort of main focal point dot front was a 77 00:04:01,387 --> 00:04:03,467 Speaker 5: bit of a strange one for me. I can only 78 00:04:03,507 --> 00:04:05,267 Speaker 5: presume there's something else going on there. 79 00:04:05,387 --> 00:04:07,867 Speaker 2: Yeah, I wonder about Max Marta and whether he's carrying 80 00:04:07,907 --> 00:04:11,427 Speaker 2: an injury. But you like that that that change information 81 00:04:11,547 --> 00:04:14,187 Speaker 2: with Max Martter Gud You and my have been paired 82 00:04:14,187 --> 00:04:16,867 Speaker 2: together up top for Auckland FC in the last few games, 83 00:04:16,987 --> 00:04:19,187 Speaker 2: but earlier in the season all it was my up 84 00:04:19,307 --> 00:04:21,667 Speaker 2: top by himself with sort of more you know, wide 85 00:04:21,667 --> 00:04:24,907 Speaker 2: wingers like Gillian and Rogerson and Brummer behind you like 86 00:04:24,987 --> 00:04:27,667 Speaker 2: the the two pronged attack that Max Marta brings. 87 00:04:28,187 --> 00:04:30,387 Speaker 5: Yeah, I think, well it's brought the best in my 88 00:04:30,627 --> 00:04:34,147 Speaker 5: because he's better better facing goal and than back to goal. 89 00:04:34,987 --> 00:04:38,747 Speaker 5: You know, he's obviously got a terrific shot. And Max, 90 00:04:39,347 --> 00:04:42,227 Speaker 5: I mean Max run has gots off Rogerson's Anello one. 91 00:04:42,267 --> 00:04:44,387 Speaker 5: They just put themselves about and they make it really 92 00:04:44,427 --> 00:04:48,187 Speaker 5: difficult for defenders. They work really hard and you know 93 00:04:48,187 --> 00:04:50,987 Speaker 5: they're both popping up with the odd goal and that 94 00:04:51,147 --> 00:04:53,067 Speaker 5: had definitely been a bit of a change and it's 95 00:04:53,107 --> 00:04:57,227 Speaker 5: got the best in my and you know, really sort 96 00:04:57,227 --> 00:04:59,547 Speaker 5: of become more of an attacking team the first early 97 00:04:59,587 --> 00:05:02,107 Speaker 5: on again as we were sort of scratching wins. So yeah, 98 00:05:02,107 --> 00:05:06,467 Speaker 5: look it's it's you know, it's interesting making those subs 99 00:05:06,507 --> 00:05:09,387 Speaker 5: at fifty five minutes because the game's not over, especially 100 00:05:09,387 --> 00:05:11,827 Speaker 5: against the team like Adelaide. I think I saw it 101 00:05:11,827 --> 00:05:13,387 Speaker 5: again this morning and I had a bit of a 102 00:05:13,387 --> 00:05:17,027 Speaker 5: different perspective. I think the disappointment took over yesterday. But 103 00:05:17,227 --> 00:05:20,307 Speaker 5: Adelaide pid favelous in the second half. I probably didn't 104 00:05:20,307 --> 00:05:23,907 Speaker 5: see that yesterday. So gutted, but they claid they've got 105 00:05:23,947 --> 00:05:27,027 Speaker 5: great and they really really took it to Oakland, and 106 00:05:27,627 --> 00:05:31,067 Speaker 5: you know, they put themselves in situations where things happened 107 00:05:31,107 --> 00:05:33,547 Speaker 5: and goals happened in penalties and stuff like that, so 108 00:05:33,747 --> 00:05:36,947 Speaker 5: he fair playted them. Definitely a great side and they'll 109 00:05:36,947 --> 00:05:39,467 Speaker 5: be stronger when they get there under twenty soccer ruds 110 00:05:39,467 --> 00:05:39,907 Speaker 5: back and. 111 00:05:39,987 --> 00:05:42,427 Speaker 2: They let's talk about the penalty. Steve Cark shit afterwards. 112 00:05:42,427 --> 00:05:45,147 Speaker 2: He thought both were soft. You've had a look back 113 00:05:45,187 --> 00:05:46,387 Speaker 2: at them this morning, do you have of you? 114 00:05:48,907 --> 00:05:54,307 Speaker 5: Yes? The soft The first penalty, absolutely, he gets touched. 115 00:05:54,707 --> 00:05:56,907 Speaker 5: And what I can't understand is why the why Var 116 00:05:57,467 --> 00:06:00,587 Speaker 5: intervened because the referee is five yards behind it and 117 00:06:00,667 --> 00:06:04,187 Speaker 5: clearly made a decision that the contact wasn't big enough. 118 00:06:04,227 --> 00:06:06,707 Speaker 5: But of course once of Var interrect so you know 119 00:06:06,787 --> 00:06:10,427 Speaker 5: he's got a back bar, so that in the end 120 00:06:10,747 --> 00:06:12,827 Speaker 5: I'd say that's a penalty. The second one, I just 121 00:06:12,827 --> 00:06:15,827 Speaker 5: don't really know what happened there that the pictures didn't 122 00:06:15,867 --> 00:06:18,467 Speaker 5: really show me in that's contact. I have more problem 123 00:06:18,547 --> 00:06:20,587 Speaker 5: the second penalty because there was a file on the 124 00:06:20,627 --> 00:06:24,347 Speaker 5: halfway line which they just ignored and the kiddy didn't 125 00:06:24,387 --> 00:06:26,027 Speaker 5: go back and look at and a lot of people 126 00:06:26,067 --> 00:06:28,387 Speaker 5: are complaining about that, and that would be my issue 127 00:06:29,187 --> 00:06:31,427 Speaker 5: the penalty. The second one he is hard to argue 128 00:06:31,427 --> 00:06:33,387 Speaker 5: because obviously he's got a little touch and he goes 129 00:06:33,427 --> 00:06:35,667 Speaker 5: down and they get a penalty. But I would have 130 00:06:35,787 --> 00:06:37,147 Speaker 5: liked R to go back and have a look at 131 00:06:37,147 --> 00:06:40,987 Speaker 5: what happened before, which they certainly did for the first penalty. 132 00:06:41,107 --> 00:06:43,907 Speaker 5: They took it back. But anyway, look not everybody's going 133 00:06:43,947 --> 00:06:46,827 Speaker 5: to mention about the penalties and it's over. No, I 134 00:06:46,867 --> 00:06:50,147 Speaker 5: have a cracking game, a fantastic advert for the A League. 135 00:06:50,427 --> 00:06:53,867 Speaker 5: Falkman can just keep going on and you know, home semifinal, 136 00:06:53,987 --> 00:06:57,267 Speaker 5: maybe a home final. It's going to be fantastic for 137 00:06:57,267 --> 00:07:00,227 Speaker 5: football in New Zealand right round. And you know, we 138 00:07:00,267 --> 00:07:02,867 Speaker 5: all we still want the Phoenix to be there and 139 00:07:02,987 --> 00:07:05,907 Speaker 5: competitive and so on. So there's no I take no 140 00:07:06,027 --> 00:07:09,227 Speaker 5: joy in seeing them in the current situation. We want 141 00:07:09,227 --> 00:07:11,907 Speaker 5: this two strong teams in New Zealand and as soon 142 00:07:11,947 --> 00:07:13,547 Speaker 5: as they get back to that the better. 143 00:07:13,947 --> 00:07:16,627 Speaker 2: How do you think Aukland FC have so quickly built 144 00:07:16,667 --> 00:07:19,467 Speaker 2: such a passionate following Nola. It's the best to get 145 00:07:19,467 --> 00:07:22,027 Speaker 2: in down on match day, isn't it. And all of 146 00:07:22,067 --> 00:07:25,427 Speaker 2: the replica shirts, all the community engagement, my goodness made 147 00:07:25,427 --> 00:07:28,307 Speaker 2: there was a circus there. You know, what are they 148 00:07:28,347 --> 00:07:29,107 Speaker 2: doing so well? 149 00:07:30,507 --> 00:07:34,187 Speaker 5: Engagement with all the different groups? You know, the port 150 00:07:34,667 --> 00:07:39,107 Speaker 5: whether it's families, whether it's kids in the playground, in 151 00:07:39,147 --> 00:07:42,867 Speaker 5: the longes, all different categories. You know, the ownership group 152 00:07:42,947 --> 00:07:45,707 Speaker 5: group of there. You know, Anna and Alier are always there, 153 00:07:46,667 --> 00:07:50,267 Speaker 5: CEO Nick Becker's walking around shaking everybody's hand. It's a 154 00:07:50,307 --> 00:07:54,547 Speaker 5: family thing. It's just it's they've created something that we 155 00:07:54,627 --> 00:07:56,587 Speaker 5: all hope that we would see one day in New Zealand. 156 00:07:57,067 --> 00:08:00,667 Speaker 5: And you had this fanatical group of fans support expanding 157 00:08:00,787 --> 00:08:04,787 Speaker 5: week by week who you know, young guys and girls 158 00:08:05,467 --> 00:08:08,907 Speaker 5: and kids on the periphery. It's it's just fantastic. I 159 00:08:09,227 --> 00:08:11,707 Speaker 5: think it's just we all had this vision that you know, 160 00:08:11,947 --> 00:08:13,947 Speaker 5: many many years ago, that this would we would have 161 00:08:14,027 --> 00:08:17,307 Speaker 5: something like this, and it's like a steamer at the minute. 162 00:08:17,307 --> 00:08:19,227 Speaker 5: It just doesn't seem to stop. And I mean it's 163 00:08:19,227 --> 00:08:23,107 Speaker 5: got really relatively easy games in the next three games, 164 00:08:23,107 --> 00:08:26,507 Speaker 5: and I think getting that number one homes semifinal is 165 00:08:26,547 --> 00:08:28,507 Speaker 5: so important. I wouldn't really want to be going to 166 00:08:28,547 --> 00:08:31,867 Speaker 5: play adelaide away in a final and maybe him jumping 167 00:08:31,867 --> 00:08:33,907 Speaker 5: ahead too much, but it's hard not to. 168 00:08:34,467 --> 00:08:35,987 Speaker 2: I think you're right now. You look at the table. 169 00:08:36,627 --> 00:08:40,187 Speaker 2: The point they got yesterday leaves an eight point buffer 170 00:08:40,267 --> 00:08:43,467 Speaker 2: back to Adelaide United and Wistern United who have played one, 171 00:08:43,947 --> 00:08:46,347 Speaker 2: you know, one more game. Eight points is a lot 172 00:08:46,387 --> 00:08:49,267 Speaker 2: to make up in eight games. It feels to me 173 00:08:49,387 --> 00:08:52,107 Speaker 2: as though Auckland FC have one hand on the on 174 00:08:52,147 --> 00:08:53,467 Speaker 2: the premiers places they call it. 175 00:08:53,547 --> 00:08:54,307 Speaker 3: Is that how you say it? 176 00:08:54,987 --> 00:08:57,347 Speaker 5: Well, I think I think so. I mean those games 177 00:08:57,347 --> 00:09:00,627 Speaker 5: they've got coming up is sort of Newcastle, Brisbane and 178 00:09:00,747 --> 00:09:03,787 Speaker 5: Central Coast said a little bit two of those away, 179 00:09:04,187 --> 00:09:06,627 Speaker 5: so they're winnable games, you know, if they can sort 180 00:09:06,627 --> 00:09:08,867 Speaker 5: of win to doesn't draw one. I think that stem 181 00:09:08,867 --> 00:09:11,187 Speaker 5: across the line. They've got a couple of toughents. We've 182 00:09:11,187 --> 00:09:15,347 Speaker 5: got Sydney away and Melbourne victory away. I think so, yeah, 183 00:09:15,387 --> 00:09:18,347 Speaker 5: they're going to the loss here and there. I think 184 00:09:18,347 --> 00:09:21,907 Speaker 5: those three teams, Western, Adelaide and Auckland are just a 185 00:09:21,947 --> 00:09:24,027 Speaker 5: bit above the rest. I think the winner will come 186 00:09:24,027 --> 00:09:26,667 Speaker 5: out of those three. And then Western are already shown 187 00:09:26,667 --> 00:09:28,947 Speaker 5: that they can come to go media see them and win. 188 00:09:29,067 --> 00:09:32,427 Speaker 5: So yeah, they're the three top teams. Sydney Melbourne teams 189 00:09:32,467 --> 00:09:36,147 Speaker 5: not really firing this time around. And yeah, that's a 190 00:09:36,147 --> 00:09:39,467 Speaker 5: great thing for New zeal And football. That's absolutely truly amazing. 191 00:09:39,467 --> 00:09:42,147 Speaker 5: And of course next year. You got the girls coming 192 00:09:42,187 --> 00:09:44,867 Speaker 5: in and you have development team coming in. That's really 193 00:09:44,907 --> 00:09:47,227 Speaker 5: just going to expand the fan base. 194 00:09:48,267 --> 00:09:51,227 Speaker 2: Yeah, and Dave, Well, it wouldn't be a great surprise 195 00:09:51,267 --> 00:09:53,507 Speaker 2: to see a Grand Final featuring the two teams. We 196 00:09:53,547 --> 00:09:55,267 Speaker 2: saw it out there on going media yesterday and I 197 00:09:55,267 --> 00:09:57,107 Speaker 2: think you get too many harguments about it if that 198 00:09:57,227 --> 00:09:59,827 Speaker 2: was a game that we saw a bit later on 199 00:09:59,867 --> 00:10:02,107 Speaker 2: in the season. No, great to get your expertise. I 200 00:10:02,107 --> 00:10:03,507 Speaker 2: really appreciate you taking the time. 201 00:10:03,787 --> 00:10:04,787 Speaker 5: How's your panny anytime? 202 00:10:04,907 --> 00:10:07,867 Speaker 2: Good on you mind? That's no backley, all white striker 203 00:10:08,027 --> 00:10:11,987 Speaker 2: and as you can hear from that, pretty astute observer 204 00:10:12,187 --> 00:10:14,427 Speaker 2: of the game of football. So next up for Auckland 205 00:10:14,467 --> 00:10:17,707 Speaker 2: f C. They are away next weekend. Next Sunday night 206 00:10:18,027 --> 00:10:20,587 Speaker 2: they take on the Newcastle Jets and then back home 207 00:10:20,707 --> 00:10:24,067 Speaker 2: to their fortress of go media Statium. Although it creaked 208 00:10:24,227 --> 00:10:27,867 Speaker 2: a little bit yesterday, the Central Coast Marin is on Sunday, 209 00:10:28,267 --> 00:10:30,827 Speaker 2: March the sixteenth. As far as the table is concerned, 210 00:10:31,107 --> 00:10:34,427 Speaker 2: eight points clear Auckland f C at the top, Western 211 00:10:34,507 --> 00:10:38,747 Speaker 2: United are in second and Adelaide United in third place. 212 00:10:38,787 --> 00:10:41,467 Speaker 2: They've both got thirty two points those two teams, so 213 00:10:41,507 --> 00:10:44,867 Speaker 2: an eight point lead with eight games left to play. 214 00:10:45,427 --> 00:10:47,107 Speaker 2: As I said to knowl it feels like it is 215 00:10:47,747 --> 00:10:50,707 Speaker 2: Auckland f C's to lose now the minor premiership anyway, 216 00:10:50,707 --> 00:10:53,867 Speaker 2: they go into playoffs after that. But yeah, just some 217 00:10:53,907 --> 00:10:57,787 Speaker 2: signs yesterday of not being able to hold that lead. 218 00:10:57,867 --> 00:11:01,547 Speaker 2: Steve Carriker afterwards was most disappointed about that, as he 219 00:11:01,707 --> 00:11:04,707 Speaker 2: was with the two penalties that were awarded against his side. 220 00:11:04,707 --> 00:11:07,027 Speaker 2: But it's all part of the roller coaster that is 221 00:11:07,067 --> 00:11:08,587 Speaker 2: sporting fandom. 222 00:11:08,827 --> 00:11:11,987 Speaker 1: For more from Weekends Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 223 00:11:12,107 --> 00:11:15,387 Speaker 1: to News Talk set B weekends from midday, or follow 224 00:11:15,427 --> 00:11:17,027 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio