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 News Talks EDB. 3 00:00:12,707 --> 00:00:16,107 Speaker 2: You're on Newstalks EDB. Round two in the A League 4 00:00:16,107 --> 00:00:20,187 Speaker 2: Men's competition across this weekend. Auckland FC take on Sydney 5 00:00:20,267 --> 00:00:23,347 Speaker 2: FC at go Media amount Smart Stadium this afternoon, four 6 00:00:23,347 --> 00:00:26,427 Speaker 2: o'clock kickoff. In that one, Auckland f C started life 7 00:00:26,667 --> 00:00:30,107 Speaker 2: with a two nil win over Brisbane last Saturday. Mister 8 00:00:30,147 --> 00:00:38,787 Speaker 2: breeces Rogison to breeze the provider Rogerson with a finish 9 00:00:38,907 --> 00:00:45,547 Speaker 2: and didn't he loved that? The hometown boy, He's doubled 10 00:00:45,587 --> 00:00:46,427 Speaker 2: Auckland's money. 11 00:00:46,427 --> 00:00:46,947 Speaker 3: They lead it. 12 00:00:47,027 --> 00:00:49,627 Speaker 2: Tol Yeah, high excitement and a great atmosphere at go 13 00:00:49,707 --> 00:00:52,507 Speaker 2: Media Mounts Smart last Saturday for the first game in 14 00:00:52,547 --> 00:00:54,627 Speaker 2: Auckland FC's life. Let's hope for more of the same 15 00:00:54,707 --> 00:00:58,227 Speaker 2: this afternoon when they take on Sidney FC. I'm hearing 16 00:00:58,267 --> 00:01:00,827 Speaker 2: that tickets are tracking around the fifteen thousand mark, which 17 00:01:00,867 --> 00:01:05,067 Speaker 2: is another excellent attendance. Logan Rogerson, the scorer of that goal. 18 00:01:05,147 --> 00:01:07,067 Speaker 2: The first goal was an own Goalgan Rogers on the 19 00:01:07,107 --> 00:01:09,507 Speaker 2: first Auckland FC player to get on the score shitt 20 00:01:09,547 --> 00:01:11,907 Speaker 2: he joins us now ahead of this Afternoons game logan. 21 00:01:11,987 --> 00:01:14,867 Speaker 2: First of all, how was the overall experience and the 22 00:01:14,987 --> 00:01:18,147 Speaker 2: occasion of game one at go Media last weekend? 23 00:01:19,107 --> 00:01:23,507 Speaker 3: Yeah, the experience was unreal. The way Auckland turned out 24 00:01:23,667 --> 00:01:28,427 Speaker 3: for our first game was unbelievable. Even joining the warm 25 00:01:28,467 --> 00:01:31,947 Speaker 3: up when the port started marching down the stairs, Yeah, 26 00:01:31,947 --> 00:01:35,507 Speaker 3: it kind of gave me, yeah, butterflies almost seeing them 27 00:01:35,547 --> 00:01:37,347 Speaker 3: walk down, and yeah, I knew it was going to 28 00:01:37,427 --> 00:01:38,707 Speaker 3: be good, a good game. 29 00:01:38,907 --> 00:01:41,387 Speaker 2: And then coming out of the tunnel just before kickoff 30 00:01:41,387 --> 00:01:44,267 Speaker 2: to to pact stands, what was that like? 31 00:01:45,507 --> 00:01:47,227 Speaker 4: Yeah, it was. It was surreal. 32 00:01:47,267 --> 00:01:49,467 Speaker 3: You know, all my friends and family were there as well, 33 00:01:49,507 --> 00:01:53,187 Speaker 3: and yeah, it's kind of my first time playing back 34 00:01:53,227 --> 00:01:55,107 Speaker 3: in New Zealand in front of the big cloud like 35 00:01:55,147 --> 00:01:58,627 Speaker 3: that now for three or four years, and yeah, honestly 36 00:01:58,707 --> 00:02:01,827 Speaker 3: it was. It was amazing and yeah, real happy of 37 00:02:01,907 --> 00:02:04,987 Speaker 3: how you know the club put that day together, and 38 00:02:05,667 --> 00:02:07,227 Speaker 3: you know, the kind of the game was kind of the. 39 00:02:07,267 --> 00:02:09,267 Speaker 4: Last piece of the jigsaw puzzle to make it like 40 00:02:09,547 --> 00:02:10,707 Speaker 4: a real, real good that. 41 00:02:11,307 --> 00:02:12,627 Speaker 2: Were there any nerves. 42 00:02:13,747 --> 00:02:14,507 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think so. 43 00:02:14,787 --> 00:02:16,587 Speaker 3: I think you could kind of see it in the 44 00:02:16,587 --> 00:02:18,187 Speaker 3: first ten to twenty minutes. 45 00:02:19,547 --> 00:02:21,987 Speaker 4: And then yeah, kind of once we got our first goal. 46 00:02:22,027 --> 00:02:23,707 Speaker 4: I think things kind of settled down. 47 00:02:23,747 --> 00:02:26,187 Speaker 3: But yeah, definitely for myself, I thought a little bit, 48 00:02:26,347 --> 00:02:29,907 Speaker 3: you know, some nerves, but those kind of went away 49 00:02:30,067 --> 00:02:30,907 Speaker 3: as the game went on. 50 00:02:31,627 --> 00:02:34,907 Speaker 2: Tonill wins. So really good result to start. How happy 51 00:02:35,147 --> 00:02:38,467 Speaker 2: were the players in importantly the coaching staff with the 52 00:02:38,507 --> 00:02:39,787 Speaker 2: performance last weekend? 53 00:02:41,067 --> 00:02:43,787 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think the Coast are happy to nil two 54 00:02:43,867 --> 00:02:47,547 Speaker 3: goals and a clean sheet. I think that game it 55 00:02:47,587 --> 00:02:49,907 Speaker 3: was almost a bit of a relief. Obviously there was 56 00:02:50,147 --> 00:02:52,347 Speaker 3: you know, three months to preseason and the build up 57 00:02:52,387 --> 00:02:55,587 Speaker 3: leading it to their first game. So yeah, I think, 58 00:02:55,827 --> 00:02:57,547 Speaker 3: you know, I think everyone has to be happy with 59 00:02:57,547 --> 00:02:59,747 Speaker 3: the Tunil went on the first day. 60 00:02:59,947 --> 00:03:02,147 Speaker 2: Two goals. As you say, you got the second one. 61 00:03:02,507 --> 00:03:03,947 Speaker 2: Talk us through it, how do you how do you 62 00:03:03,987 --> 00:03:04,507 Speaker 2: remember it? 63 00:03:06,387 --> 00:03:07,147 Speaker 4: Remember too much? 64 00:03:07,187 --> 00:03:10,067 Speaker 3: I just remember Franny kind of a good ball coming 65 00:03:10,067 --> 00:03:12,747 Speaker 3: across the face of the box and I just tried 66 00:03:12,787 --> 00:03:15,707 Speaker 3: to get some good contact on it and keep the 67 00:03:15,707 --> 00:03:18,227 Speaker 3: ball down because you know, sometimes those can go flying, 68 00:03:18,667 --> 00:03:22,307 Speaker 3: flying over the goal. But yeah, and then obviously the 69 00:03:22,347 --> 00:03:24,227 Speaker 3: celebration can kind of see in my face. 70 00:03:24,307 --> 00:03:25,787 Speaker 4: I was buzzing. 71 00:03:25,907 --> 00:03:29,227 Speaker 2: Yeah, absolutely, you say sometimes those go blazing over the bar, mate, 72 00:03:29,347 --> 00:03:31,027 Speaker 2: I reckon seven or eight times out of ten they 73 00:03:31,027 --> 00:03:32,827 Speaker 2: do not just not not from you, I'm not talking, 74 00:03:32,867 --> 00:03:36,427 Speaker 2: but it's a it's a really good finish, just a 75 00:03:36,547 --> 00:03:38,947 Speaker 2: side foot rather than having a you know, having a 76 00:03:38,947 --> 00:03:41,867 Speaker 2: real blast at it. You know, is that just something 77 00:03:41,907 --> 00:03:44,027 Speaker 2: that came instinctively because you didn't have a lot of 78 00:03:44,027 --> 00:03:45,267 Speaker 2: time to think about it really. 79 00:03:46,347 --> 00:03:47,267 Speaker 4: Yeah, exactly. 80 00:03:47,787 --> 00:03:50,427 Speaker 3: The ball's coming in quick, so I know you've got 81 00:03:50,427 --> 00:03:52,427 Speaker 3: to try and use the pace of the ball really 82 00:03:52,467 --> 00:03:53,507 Speaker 3: and kind of just guide it in. 83 00:03:53,587 --> 00:03:56,427 Speaker 4: And yeah, I'm happy to kind of stay down to 84 00:03:56,427 --> 00:03:57,147 Speaker 4: be first. 85 00:03:57,707 --> 00:04:00,067 Speaker 2: And as a striker, I mean, how much of a 86 00:04:00,307 --> 00:04:01,867 Speaker 2: I don't know, even though if it's a burden, you 87 00:04:01,947 --> 00:04:04,227 Speaker 2: might be able to tell me to get your first 88 00:04:04,267 --> 00:04:06,467 Speaker 2: goal chalked up nice and early as a stroke, Like 89 00:04:06,667 --> 00:04:08,987 Speaker 2: how comforting and pleasing is that? 90 00:04:10,507 --> 00:04:13,627 Speaker 3: Yeah, No, it's really pleasing and yeah, kind of good 91 00:04:13,627 --> 00:04:15,427 Speaker 3: to get the first one, first one out of the way, 92 00:04:16,227 --> 00:04:18,827 Speaker 3: you know. I even think maybe scoring earlier on the 93 00:04:18,867 --> 00:04:20,907 Speaker 3: weekend's all why it's kind of helped with my confidence 94 00:04:21,147 --> 00:04:24,227 Speaker 3: and yeah, I guess you know, it's just building off 95 00:04:24,267 --> 00:04:25,867 Speaker 3: my first one. Hopefully I can get a few more. 96 00:04:26,267 --> 00:04:28,547 Speaker 2: And head coach of Auckland FC, Steve Cricker was a 97 00:04:28,547 --> 00:04:31,107 Speaker 2: striker himself. How helpful has he been to you? 98 00:04:32,387 --> 00:04:33,347 Speaker 4: Yeah, he's been really good. 99 00:04:33,747 --> 00:04:37,467 Speaker 3: We always do finishing drills, you know, after the sessions 100 00:04:37,507 --> 00:04:40,187 Speaker 3: with him, and yeah, he always kind of talks about, 101 00:04:41,107 --> 00:04:43,227 Speaker 3: you know, wingers getting inside the box and that's where 102 00:04:43,267 --> 00:04:44,227 Speaker 3: goals are going to be scored. 103 00:04:44,267 --> 00:04:46,787 Speaker 4: And I think that's what I did on the weekend. 104 00:04:46,867 --> 00:04:49,187 Speaker 4: So so hopefully you's have to with me. 105 00:04:49,547 --> 00:04:51,587 Speaker 2: I'm sure he will be. And I mean, how have 106 00:04:51,667 --> 00:04:55,107 Speaker 2: you gone about establishing connections with the other attackers and 107 00:04:55,147 --> 00:04:56,827 Speaker 2: the team? I mean you're all new, this is a 108 00:04:56,867 --> 00:04:58,907 Speaker 2: team that's been pulled together. I know you've had a 109 00:04:58,907 --> 00:05:01,307 Speaker 2: few months together, but how have you gone about establishing 110 00:05:01,387 --> 00:05:03,267 Speaker 2: those connections in the front third? 111 00:05:04,627 --> 00:05:07,347 Speaker 3: Yeah, well because sum obviously came in a little bit later, 112 00:05:07,627 --> 00:05:11,787 Speaker 3: but ever since he's coming, you know, he's always talking 113 00:05:11,867 --> 00:05:14,307 Speaker 3: what kind of the balls he wants, what kind of crosses, 114 00:05:14,387 --> 00:05:17,547 Speaker 3: And I obviously know on the left hand side you 115 00:05:17,627 --> 00:05:20,187 Speaker 3: got Friendie who can you know is a very good 116 00:05:20,307 --> 00:05:21,587 Speaker 3: left foot with crossing. 117 00:05:21,307 --> 00:05:23,947 Speaker 4: And Liam Gilly and I kind of I know what 118 00:05:24,027 --> 00:05:24,867 Speaker 4: I'm going to get from. 119 00:05:24,827 --> 00:05:26,627 Speaker 3: Him when he always wants to take him man on, 120 00:05:26,747 --> 00:05:29,547 Speaker 3: So maybe timing the runs a little bit better when 121 00:05:29,587 --> 00:05:33,227 Speaker 3: he's the ball and yeah, thinks like that, and so. 122 00:05:33,307 --> 00:05:34,107 Speaker 4: That's what preseason. 123 00:05:34,147 --> 00:05:36,187 Speaker 3: It's been long, but it's been I guess good because 124 00:05:36,307 --> 00:05:37,707 Speaker 3: you know we kind of figure out each other. 125 00:05:39,467 --> 00:05:39,907 Speaker 4: That's good. 126 00:05:40,347 --> 00:05:43,107 Speaker 2: And you captain buy a bit of a Japanese legend 127 00:05:43,147 --> 00:05:46,507 Speaker 2: and Hiroki Sakai, can you talk a bit about his 128 00:05:46,907 --> 00:05:48,227 Speaker 2: influence on the side. 129 00:05:49,827 --> 00:05:51,027 Speaker 4: Yeah, massive influence. 130 00:05:52,427 --> 00:05:55,067 Speaker 3: Obviously everyone talks about his English and stuff, but actually 131 00:05:55,107 --> 00:05:59,227 Speaker 3: on the pitches, he's playing behind me, but he's communicating 132 00:05:59,267 --> 00:06:00,587 Speaker 3: to me the whole game when to go. 133 00:06:00,947 --> 00:06:04,067 Speaker 4: He makes my life a lot easier. And yeah, he's 134 00:06:04,267 --> 00:06:05,507 Speaker 4: he's a lead in the change room. 135 00:06:05,507 --> 00:06:08,507 Speaker 3: He's a funny guy and you know, I think he's 136 00:06:08,547 --> 00:06:09,947 Speaker 3: got the trust of all us players. 137 00:06:10,827 --> 00:06:13,027 Speaker 2: And what do you expect from Sydney FC this afternoon? 138 00:06:14,787 --> 00:06:16,267 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think they're going to be They're going to 139 00:06:16,307 --> 00:06:18,667 Speaker 3: try and kick the ball a lot. Their front three 140 00:06:18,747 --> 00:06:20,907 Speaker 3: is obviously very dangerous, so you know, a lot of 141 00:06:20,987 --> 00:06:24,227 Speaker 3: link up play, they have a lot of freedom. So yeah, 142 00:06:24,267 --> 00:06:27,267 Speaker 3: I think we just kind of have to defend together 143 00:06:27,467 --> 00:06:29,507 Speaker 3: and you know, we know they have tricky players, so 144 00:06:29,587 --> 00:06:35,347 Speaker 3: maybe doubling up helping teammates on the pitch and so yeah. 145 00:06:35,307 --> 00:06:37,227 Speaker 4: So they're a great team. 146 00:06:37,267 --> 00:06:39,467 Speaker 3: But also they've traveled a lot this week, so hopefully 147 00:06:39,587 --> 00:06:41,667 Speaker 3: we can use that to our advantage. 148 00:06:42,347 --> 00:06:44,907 Speaker 2: And I know you're only focused on Sydney FC, but 149 00:06:45,107 --> 00:06:48,227 Speaker 2: have you got even half an eye on the derby 150 00:06:48,307 --> 00:06:48,827 Speaker 2: next weekend? 151 00:06:49,867 --> 00:06:52,427 Speaker 3: Yeah, of course, I think you know, before the season 152 00:06:52,747 --> 00:06:55,387 Speaker 3: seams even started, you know, it's what everyone's talking about. 153 00:06:55,467 --> 00:06:57,507 Speaker 3: And yeah, you know we have a game of speaking. 154 00:06:57,627 --> 00:07:00,227 Speaker 3: But you know, for me even you know, it's kind 155 00:07:00,227 --> 00:07:01,467 Speaker 3: of in the back of my mind a little bit. 156 00:07:01,907 --> 00:07:04,947 Speaker 3: You know, national team windows and stuff. Everyone kind of 157 00:07:05,107 --> 00:07:08,187 Speaker 3: has a little bit of banter and you know, can't 158 00:07:08,227 --> 00:07:09,467 Speaker 3: sit next to you now it's a. 159 00:07:10,987 --> 00:07:14,347 Speaker 4: Kind of banter. But no, it's yeah, we've got to 160 00:07:14,387 --> 00:07:15,067 Speaker 4: gain this weeking. 161 00:07:15,187 --> 00:07:17,547 Speaker 3: But yeah, I think the Dove is one that you know, 162 00:07:17,627 --> 00:07:21,467 Speaker 3: everyone's looking forward to Royal Club as well, So now 163 00:07:21,587 --> 00:07:22,867 Speaker 3: I'm excited for that one as well. 164 00:07:22,947 --> 00:07:25,507 Speaker 2: I think everybody is. And you talked about about the 165 00:07:25,587 --> 00:07:27,267 Speaker 2: national team. There you're back in the All Whites makes 166 00:07:27,307 --> 00:07:29,867 Speaker 2: You've played the last four matches, score that cracking goal 167 00:07:29,907 --> 00:07:32,867 Speaker 2: against Malaysia. How motivated are you to be involved in 168 00:07:32,907 --> 00:07:34,107 Speaker 2: the push to the next World Cup? 169 00:07:35,227 --> 00:07:35,427 Speaker 4: Yeah? 170 00:07:35,667 --> 00:07:38,787 Speaker 3: Really motivated, Like it's just around the corner now, so 171 00:07:39,547 --> 00:07:44,227 Speaker 3: you know, being involved these qualifiers and stuff, yeah, you know, 172 00:07:44,307 --> 00:07:47,587 Speaker 3: I'm really excited and even being a part of this group, 173 00:07:47,707 --> 00:07:50,267 Speaker 3: you know, like sitting on the bench and watching some 174 00:07:50,427 --> 00:07:52,667 Speaker 3: of these guys play. You know, I can name the 175 00:07:52,707 --> 00:07:54,867 Speaker 3: whole starting eleven, but most of them playing at a 176 00:07:54,987 --> 00:07:58,467 Speaker 3: top level. It's it's crazy to see how good some 177 00:07:58,627 --> 00:08:00,147 Speaker 3: of these New Zealand players are now. 178 00:08:01,067 --> 00:08:03,187 Speaker 2: Well, it's something you'll be a part of as well, 179 00:08:03,267 --> 00:08:05,347 Speaker 2: no doubt. Your immediate point of business though, Sydney, you 180 00:08:05,387 --> 00:08:07,747 Speaker 2: have seen this afternoon at Mount Smart all the best, Logan, 181 00:08:07,747 --> 00:08:10,067 Speaker 2: thanks for taking the time for a chat mate, Cheers, 182 00:08:10,147 --> 00:08:13,347 Speaker 2: thank you, thank you, Logan, Logan Rogerson. They're out of 183 00:08:13,387 --> 00:08:15,347 Speaker 2: Auckland FC scored a goal last week in the two 184 00:08:15,427 --> 00:08:17,307 Speaker 2: nil went over Brisbane and we're looking for more this 185 00:08:17,427 --> 00:08:19,827 Speaker 2: afternoon when they take on Sydney FC. Four o'clock kickoff. 186 00:08:20,227 --> 00:08:23,387 Speaker 2: Nice day in Auckland, so it should be good conditions 187 00:08:23,427 --> 00:08:26,587 Speaker 2: for football. Your next weekend is going to be going 188 00:08:26,667 --> 00:08:30,107 Speaker 2: to be quite something. The first ever professional football derby 189 00:08:30,307 --> 00:08:33,067 Speaker 2: in New Zealand as Auckland FC head to Wellington to 190 00:08:33,147 --> 00:08:36,747 Speaker 2: take on Wellington Phoenix at Sky Stadium. The Phoenix got 191 00:08:36,827 --> 00:08:38,747 Speaker 2: to win last night beat Perth Glory two Nils, so 192 00:08:38,827 --> 00:08:42,347 Speaker 2: they'll be in high spirits as they fly back. Big 193 00:08:42,467 --> 00:08:46,827 Speaker 2: crowd and coming, I understand next Saturday at sky Stadium. 194 00:08:46,867 --> 00:08:49,907 Speaker 2: They're talking at least twenty thousand and probably more so 195 00:08:50,147 --> 00:08:53,227 Speaker 2: I set to be quite the occasion when Wellington Phoenix 196 00:08:53,267 --> 00:08:56,787 Speaker 2: and Auckland FC do battle next next Saturday afternoon. That's 197 00:08:56,787 --> 00:09:00,467 Speaker 2: a five o'clock kickoff at sky Stadium next Saturday. 198 00:09:01,427 --> 00:09:04,587 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 199 00:09:04,707 --> 00:09:08,627 Speaker 1: to News Talks B from midday or follow the podcast 200 00:09:08,747 --> 00:09:09,627 Speaker 1: on iHeartRadio