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 --> 00:00:11,907 Speaker 1: from Newstalks, edb. 3 00:00:12,667 --> 00:00:15,067 Speaker 2: Yorkland f C Back and a league men's football action 4 00:00:15,147 --> 00:00:17,667 Speaker 2: tonight away to Western Sydney. It's their third game in 5 00:00:17,827 --> 00:00:21,547 Speaker 2: nine days. Aukland f C grabbed a point in their 6 00:00:21,587 --> 00:00:25,267 Speaker 2: top of the table clash away at Adelaide on Wednesday night. 7 00:00:25,627 --> 00:00:28,387 Speaker 2: A last minute equalizer from Logan Rogerson. 8 00:00:28,467 --> 00:00:29,747 Speaker 3: We're about to move. 9 00:00:30,307 --> 00:00:35,427 Speaker 4: Into the one hundredth minute of this match. Francis debrees 10 00:00:36,667 --> 00:00:43,427 Speaker 4: Coulson's boy and it comes down fasts. God, who did 11 00:00:43,467 --> 00:00:51,507 Speaker 4: Steve kark ty that? Logan Rogerson stoopid at the near 12 00:00:51,627 --> 00:00:57,067 Speaker 4: post to head home and the Auckland f C ferns 13 00:00:58,147 --> 00:00:59,587 Speaker 4: get to celebrate as well. 14 00:00:59,867 --> 00:01:02,347 Speaker 2: Logan Rogerson is with us head of Auckland FC's game 15 00:01:02,347 --> 00:01:05,627 Speaker 2: tonight against Western Sydney. Let's start though on Wednesday night. 16 00:01:05,707 --> 00:01:08,667 Speaker 2: Logan talk through your equalizer. We just heard it there. 17 00:01:09,227 --> 00:01:11,587 Speaker 2: Francis de Rhize lines up the corner, so maybe you 18 00:01:11,627 --> 00:01:12,667 Speaker 2: pick it up for us from there. 19 00:01:13,987 --> 00:01:18,347 Speaker 5: Yeah, obviously quite late on in the game, you know, 20 00:01:18,547 --> 00:01:22,587 Speaker 5: one last set piece and Francis with you know, dead 21 00:01:22,587 --> 00:01:25,187 Speaker 5: ball situation. It's probably one of the best in the league. 22 00:01:25,307 --> 00:01:27,787 Speaker 5: So you know, I thought we're you know, I thought 23 00:01:27,827 --> 00:01:30,987 Speaker 5: we had a real good chance to score hair uh 24 00:01:31,427 --> 00:01:33,747 Speaker 5: and yeah, my my kind of role in the corner 25 00:01:33,787 --> 00:01:36,467 Speaker 5: is trying to block the goalkeeper and the ball kind 26 00:01:36,467 --> 00:01:39,267 Speaker 5: of came in so quick and you know I was 27 00:01:39,347 --> 00:01:40,947 Speaker 5: free at the near post and managed to get my 28 00:01:40,987 --> 00:01:41,387 Speaker 5: head on it. 29 00:01:41,427 --> 00:01:43,947 Speaker 3: So now it was it was a good ball. 30 00:01:43,827 --> 00:01:47,667 Speaker 5: From Frannie And yeah, you know, real real please to 31 00:01:47,827 --> 00:01:50,427 Speaker 5: score quite quite late in the game after a pretty 32 00:01:50,787 --> 00:01:51,867 Speaker 5: arm wrestle of a game. 33 00:01:52,147 --> 00:01:53,827 Speaker 2: Arm wrestle is a good word for it, man, a 34 00:01:53,907 --> 00:01:56,507 Speaker 2: real roller coaster, particularly near the end when you're one 35 00:01:56,867 --> 00:01:59,347 Speaker 2: up then to one down. Did you feel as though 36 00:01:59,347 --> 00:02:01,147 Speaker 2: you were worth a point in Adelaide? 37 00:02:02,387 --> 00:02:04,547 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think we didn't deserve to lose. 38 00:02:06,187 --> 00:02:08,427 Speaker 5: I think the team worked real hard and you know, 39 00:02:08,467 --> 00:02:11,067 Speaker 5: we put in a solid performance and I think, you know, 40 00:02:11,107 --> 00:02:13,227 Speaker 5: we're a little bit unlucky maybe with the with the 41 00:02:13,267 --> 00:02:17,467 Speaker 5: first goal and that we conceded, and yeah, I think 42 00:02:17,787 --> 00:02:21,507 Speaker 5: a result is it was fair and it's just the 43 00:02:21,547 --> 00:02:23,707 Speaker 5: way we equalizing the end and you know we can 44 00:02:23,747 --> 00:02:26,987 Speaker 5: carry on that momentum into our next game. 45 00:02:27,547 --> 00:02:29,747 Speaker 2: It's a bit of a trademark of Auckland FC eight 46 00:02:29,787 --> 00:02:33,067 Speaker 2: goals after the eighty minute mark the season to win 47 00:02:33,147 --> 00:02:35,827 Speaker 2: matches or draw them. What can we take from that 48 00:02:35,907 --> 00:02:39,627 Speaker 2: in terms of the team's ability to take games right 49 00:02:39,627 --> 00:02:41,187 Speaker 2: to the line and pick up points. 50 00:02:42,627 --> 00:02:45,067 Speaker 5: Yeah, I think it just kind of shows the mentality 51 00:02:45,067 --> 00:02:48,827 Speaker 5: of the team. You know, we have great depth, I 52 00:02:48,867 --> 00:02:51,867 Speaker 5: guess in our squad, and you know, whenever our sub 53 00:02:51,947 --> 00:02:54,507 Speaker 5: chutes have come on, they've made a good difference. And 54 00:02:55,187 --> 00:02:57,467 Speaker 5: you know, even the guys that start, you know, they 55 00:02:57,507 --> 00:03:00,027 Speaker 5: work hard and we grind out, you know, for the 56 00:03:00,027 --> 00:03:03,467 Speaker 5: first hour. Then the substitutes bring the energy and you 57 00:03:03,467 --> 00:03:05,587 Speaker 5: know have come on and done real well. So yeah, 58 00:03:05,587 --> 00:03:07,987 Speaker 5: I think it's got a lot to do with the 59 00:03:08,027 --> 00:03:10,387 Speaker 5: mentality of the boys kind of never giving up. And 60 00:03:11,227 --> 00:03:13,347 Speaker 5: I think our squad depth as well, these guys coming 61 00:03:13,387 --> 00:03:15,627 Speaker 5: off the bench and you know, I've had to do 62 00:03:15,667 --> 00:03:17,947 Speaker 5: it as well this season, and I think it makes 63 00:03:17,987 --> 00:03:19,107 Speaker 5: it makes a big difference. 64 00:03:19,507 --> 00:03:21,787 Speaker 2: I don't remember you scoring with your head too often either. 65 00:03:21,827 --> 00:03:24,227 Speaker 2: I think your first A League goal for the Phoenix 66 00:03:24,347 --> 00:03:26,267 Speaker 2: was a header. But is it a bit of a 67 00:03:26,387 --> 00:03:28,067 Speaker 2: rarity for you to score with the head or not? 68 00:03:29,147 --> 00:03:29,787 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think so. 69 00:03:29,987 --> 00:03:32,987 Speaker 5: Like like I was saying, with all my my role 70 00:03:33,027 --> 00:03:35,347 Speaker 5: in the corners that kind of just block the goalkeeper 71 00:03:35,427 --> 00:03:37,987 Speaker 5: and stand in the way and let you know, the 72 00:03:38,027 --> 00:03:42,027 Speaker 5: big guys do the heading. But you know, so, yeah, 73 00:03:42,187 --> 00:03:44,987 Speaker 5: I hope you to score with my head and yeah, 74 00:03:45,027 --> 00:03:47,707 Speaker 5: you're probably right, I don't score a few too many. 75 00:03:48,507 --> 00:03:51,907 Speaker 2: Slightly yeah, slightly different attacking set up in the last 76 00:03:51,907 --> 00:03:55,027 Speaker 2: two games as well, with both Guzumo May and Max 77 00:03:55,107 --> 00:03:58,027 Speaker 2: Marta starting, so kind of more like I guess twin 78 00:03:58,147 --> 00:04:01,147 Speaker 2: number nine. How does that change your role in an 79 00:04:01,147 --> 00:04:01,947 Speaker 2: attacking sense? 80 00:04:03,787 --> 00:04:05,787 Speaker 5: I think, you know, it kind of gives us an 81 00:04:05,787 --> 00:04:08,867 Speaker 5: extra option and obviously when I'm playing up wide, it 82 00:04:08,867 --> 00:04:12,227 Speaker 5: gives me another another target to kind of aim for. 83 00:04:13,587 --> 00:04:15,587 Speaker 3: Max is very good in the air. 84 00:04:15,387 --> 00:04:17,907 Speaker 5: And you know he causes a lot of problems. And 85 00:04:18,787 --> 00:04:21,427 Speaker 5: even in terms of build up, I think we can 86 00:04:21,867 --> 00:04:23,787 Speaker 5: you know, when we do go a little bit longer 87 00:04:24,627 --> 00:04:26,787 Speaker 5: to strike us to work with each other is a 88 00:04:26,787 --> 00:04:29,827 Speaker 5: lot easier than one. So I think it's been I 89 00:04:29,827 --> 00:04:31,747 Speaker 5: think it's been working well for us recently. 90 00:04:31,907 --> 00:04:35,427 Speaker 2: So you're also the best defensive side in the competition, 91 00:04:35,667 --> 00:04:39,307 Speaker 2: just eleven goals conceded. I know you look at a 92 00:04:39,387 --> 00:04:41,067 Speaker 2: defense and you say, well, your keeper must be good 93 00:04:41,067 --> 00:04:42,627 Speaker 2: and your back four must be good and those things 94 00:04:42,627 --> 00:04:45,507 Speaker 2: are true, But what role do you and the other 95 00:04:45,547 --> 00:04:49,027 Speaker 2: attacking players play in the sides defensive performance. 96 00:04:51,227 --> 00:04:55,627 Speaker 5: Yeah, I think you know, Steve and Danny, you know, 97 00:04:55,707 --> 00:04:59,667 Speaker 5: from the beginning of the season, we're you know, made 98 00:04:59,707 --> 00:05:02,627 Speaker 5: sure us attackers, you know, played our role defensively, and 99 00:05:02,947 --> 00:05:05,467 Speaker 5: you know, I think as attackers we work really hard 100 00:05:05,507 --> 00:05:08,667 Speaker 5: on the defensive side as well, pressing and kind of 101 00:05:08,667 --> 00:05:11,027 Speaker 5: getting back and you know, kind of making it half 102 00:05:11,067 --> 00:05:14,587 Speaker 5: the teams to break down. And I think, you know, 103 00:05:14,667 --> 00:05:17,187 Speaker 5: that's probably why we score when we have scored quite 104 00:05:17,267 --> 00:05:19,827 Speaker 5: late in the games. It's probably because, you know, attacking 105 00:05:19,827 --> 00:05:23,347 Speaker 5: players and the whole unit have been kind of working 106 00:05:23,387 --> 00:05:26,547 Speaker 5: hard for kind of the first sixty minutes defending and 107 00:05:26,627 --> 00:05:29,707 Speaker 5: you know, then the game kind of opens up. So yeah, 108 00:05:29,747 --> 00:05:32,547 Speaker 5: I think, you know, as attackers and especially in this team, 109 00:05:32,627 --> 00:05:36,387 Speaker 5: we have to you know, work hard defenses as well, 110 00:05:36,507 --> 00:05:38,947 Speaker 5: and you know, I think it's probably why, you know, 111 00:05:39,027 --> 00:05:40,867 Speaker 5: we've been quite hard to score against. 112 00:05:41,467 --> 00:05:43,627 Speaker 2: And you've played ninety minutes in the last two games 113 00:05:44,187 --> 00:05:46,507 Speaker 2: in pretty close proximity to one another in terms of 114 00:05:46,547 --> 00:05:48,947 Speaker 2: the days in between them. I don't think you've done 115 00:05:48,987 --> 00:05:52,067 Speaker 2: that previously. All season had ninety minutes is that something 116 00:05:52,067 --> 00:05:54,347 Speaker 2: you've worked on, not just being say a sixty minute 117 00:05:54,347 --> 00:05:57,107 Speaker 2: player or someone who provides an impact off the bench. 118 00:05:58,627 --> 00:06:00,347 Speaker 5: Yeah, I think, you know, as a football player, you 119 00:06:00,347 --> 00:06:03,507 Speaker 5: always want to want to play ninety minutes. And I 120 00:06:03,547 --> 00:06:05,107 Speaker 5: think for the first bit of the season, you know, 121 00:06:05,227 --> 00:06:07,947 Speaker 5: kind of the sixty minute mark and you know, when 122 00:06:07,987 --> 00:06:09,587 Speaker 5: the board goes up, I kind of look over and 123 00:06:09,627 --> 00:06:12,267 Speaker 5: see my number, and you know, obviously a little bit disappointed. 124 00:06:13,067 --> 00:06:16,507 Speaker 5: But I think the last couple of weeks, you know, 125 00:06:16,547 --> 00:06:20,067 Speaker 5: I think my fitness as well, I've got a little 126 00:06:20,107 --> 00:06:22,747 Speaker 5: bit better and being able to you know, maintain the 127 00:06:22,827 --> 00:06:25,747 Speaker 5: kind of level that's needed for ninety minutes, where maybe 128 00:06:25,747 --> 00:06:28,587 Speaker 5: in the first our first kind of cord off the season, 129 00:06:28,627 --> 00:06:31,947 Speaker 5: first half of the season, you know, maybe my fitness 130 00:06:32,667 --> 00:06:35,867 Speaker 5: was kind of dropping off towards the end, and so 131 00:06:35,867 --> 00:06:37,787 Speaker 5: so yeah, I think, you know, I've been happy recently 132 00:06:37,907 --> 00:06:39,867 Speaker 5: to have been able to play, you know, to ninety minutes. 133 00:06:39,907 --> 00:06:41,867 Speaker 5: And obviously when you play ninety minutes, it kind of 134 00:06:41,867 --> 00:06:44,947 Speaker 5: gives you more opportunities towards the end, like the last game, 135 00:06:44,987 --> 00:06:47,387 Speaker 5: to get your head on something or you know, to 136 00:06:48,147 --> 00:06:48,907 Speaker 5: score goals. 137 00:06:49,067 --> 00:06:51,547 Speaker 2: But another game has come around pretty quickly. So third 138 00:06:51,547 --> 00:06:54,747 Speaker 2: game and nine days plus some trans Tasman travel in 139 00:06:54,787 --> 00:06:57,187 Speaker 2: there as well. Does that BUSI shuge. You'll start to 140 00:06:57,187 --> 00:06:59,067 Speaker 2: take a bit of a toll, not necessarily just on you, 141 00:06:59,107 --> 00:07:00,867 Speaker 2: but on the entire playing group. 142 00:07:02,507 --> 00:07:05,987 Speaker 5: Yeah, I think so. Like I said before, we've got 143 00:07:06,107 --> 00:07:09,347 Speaker 5: great squad depths. I think, you know, we're in every position, 144 00:07:09,427 --> 00:07:11,467 Speaker 5: we've got you know, two or three players that are 145 00:07:11,867 --> 00:07:16,347 Speaker 5: very capable of starting. So yeah, who knows, you know 146 00:07:16,387 --> 00:07:18,067 Speaker 5: what the sailing is going to be, but you know, 147 00:07:18,267 --> 00:07:20,867 Speaker 5: we's kind of no excuses really. 148 00:07:20,907 --> 00:07:23,067 Speaker 3: You know, every team has to travel. A lot of 149 00:07:23,067 --> 00:07:24,027 Speaker 3: teams are playing. 150 00:07:24,947 --> 00:07:28,427 Speaker 5: Games close together at this moment of time, so yeah, 151 00:07:28,467 --> 00:07:32,067 Speaker 5: obviously it does have an effect, but you know every 152 00:07:32,067 --> 00:07:33,347 Speaker 5: ten it's the same for every team. 153 00:07:33,427 --> 00:07:35,427 Speaker 2: Really a bit of a quirk of the draw. There's 154 00:07:35,467 --> 00:07:37,347 Speaker 2: a couple of teams you've already played twice. You haven't 155 00:07:37,347 --> 00:07:40,387 Speaker 2: played Western Cerdney yet until obviously tonight. They're having a 156 00:07:40,427 --> 00:07:43,107 Speaker 2: bit of an up and down season five wins, five losses, 157 00:07:43,107 --> 00:07:46,267 Speaker 2: three draws, but always tough at home. How do you 158 00:07:46,307 --> 00:07:48,267 Speaker 2: assess the threat that they'll pose to you tonight? 159 00:07:50,027 --> 00:07:54,507 Speaker 5: Yeah, I think they have real exciting taking players again, 160 00:07:54,707 --> 00:07:57,187 Speaker 5: obviously playing away at Western Sydney. They probably have you know, 161 00:07:57,227 --> 00:08:00,627 Speaker 5: one of the probably the best best active support in 162 00:08:00,667 --> 00:08:01,107 Speaker 5: the league. 163 00:08:01,227 --> 00:08:05,027 Speaker 3: And you know, like every game in the A League 164 00:08:05,067 --> 00:08:05,427 Speaker 3: is tough. 165 00:08:05,987 --> 00:08:08,987 Speaker 5: You know found that out against Person when we played there, 166 00:08:09,067 --> 00:08:12,387 Speaker 5: and so yeah, I think we're you know, we'll tackle 167 00:08:12,427 --> 00:08:15,627 Speaker 5: the game like we tackle any other and yeah, every 168 00:08:15,827 --> 00:08:19,187 Speaker 5: A League oposition has the you know, has the obstacles, 169 00:08:19,227 --> 00:08:21,707 Speaker 5: and yeah, it's going to be a tough game for sure, 170 00:08:21,747 --> 00:08:25,307 Speaker 5: especially you know there's three games and close proximity. 171 00:08:25,387 --> 00:08:27,627 Speaker 2: And just to finish. I know you're focused fully on 172 00:08:27,667 --> 00:08:30,187 Speaker 2: the A League, but you've been involved in the last 173 00:08:30,187 --> 00:08:32,547 Speaker 2: three international windows for New Zealand, you've played five of 174 00:08:32,547 --> 00:08:34,747 Speaker 2: the last six or Whites games. How can now are 175 00:08:34,747 --> 00:08:37,267 Speaker 2: you to be involved in March, in the final push 176 00:08:37,267 --> 00:08:37,947 Speaker 2: for the World Cup. 177 00:08:39,187 --> 00:08:42,947 Speaker 5: Yeah, you know, obviously, you know I'm thinking about Alien games, 178 00:08:42,987 --> 00:08:46,267 Speaker 5: but you're always thinking about international duties and you know, 179 00:08:46,387 --> 00:08:48,667 Speaker 5: March is definitely something that you know, I'm trying to 180 00:08:48,667 --> 00:08:51,387 Speaker 5: push towards. And you know, the All White squad is 181 00:08:51,427 --> 00:08:55,267 Speaker 5: so competitive now and we have such talented attacking players. 182 00:08:55,307 --> 00:08:58,667 Speaker 5: So yeah, I think I've got I need to focus 183 00:08:58,707 --> 00:09:01,987 Speaker 5: on playing we can work out for my club. 184 00:09:01,747 --> 00:09:02,147 Speaker 3: To give me. 185 00:09:02,587 --> 00:09:04,667 Speaker 5: You know the best opportunity to stick my hand up 186 00:09:04,667 --> 00:09:05,747 Speaker 5: for the national team. 187 00:09:05,907 --> 00:09:07,827 Speaker 2: Well on a pretty good job at the moment. Logan, 188 00:09:08,067 --> 00:09:11,667 Speaker 2: congrats on what's happened so far. You've probably heard the 189 00:09:11,747 --> 00:09:14,267 Speaker 2: cheers for the equalizer on your side of the Tasman 190 00:09:14,307 --> 00:09:17,107 Speaker 2: the other night. From all the Auckland FC fans over here, 191 00:09:17,107 --> 00:09:18,787 Speaker 2: all the best to night against Western Sydney, mate, and 192 00:09:18,827 --> 00:09:20,067 Speaker 2: thanks for taking the time for a chat. 193 00:09:20,267 --> 00:09:22,267 Speaker 5: No thanks, finally, all good, all. 194 00:09:22,187 --> 00:09:24,507 Speaker 2: The best team mate, Logan Rogerson. There out of Auckland FC. 195 00:09:24,547 --> 00:09:26,907 Speaker 2: Seven o'clock tonight they take on the Western Sydney Wanderers. 196 00:09:27,427 --> 00:09:30,627 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, Listen live 197 00:09:30,707 --> 00:09:34,027 Speaker 1: to News Talk sed B weekends from midday or follow 198 00:09:34,067 --> 00:09:35,667 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.