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 --> 00:00:12,547 Speaker 1: from NEWSTALKSB. 3 00:00:12,627 --> 00:00:15,107 Speaker 2: Huge game of a league men's football for Auckland FC 4 00:00:15,267 --> 00:00:18,747 Speaker 2: this afternoon. They take on Sydney FC at go Media Stadium, 5 00:00:18,827 --> 00:00:21,787 Speaker 2: kickoff at five. These two sites level on twenty five 6 00:00:21,827 --> 00:00:24,387 Speaker 2: points on the A leg Ladder, just two points behind 7 00:00:24,467 --> 00:00:28,187 Speaker 2: leaders the Newcastle Jets. Auckland FC, though, come in off 8 00:00:28,187 --> 00:00:30,867 Speaker 2: the back of a last minute defeat to Perth Glory 9 00:00:31,067 --> 00:00:48,867 Speaker 2: last weekends. Yeah, they were winning it one nil Auckland 10 00:00:48,947 --> 00:00:52,507 Speaker 2: f C. Two late goals to Perth substitute Jaden Kucharski 11 00:00:52,707 --> 00:00:55,787 Speaker 2: gave Perth Glory the two to one win and it 12 00:00:55,867 --> 00:00:58,667 Speaker 2: meant in January that in six games in that calendar 13 00:00:58,707 --> 00:01:02,507 Speaker 2: month Auckland f C had just a solitary victory. They're 14 00:01:02,507 --> 00:01:05,787 Speaker 2: still up in the upper echelons of the table. Let's 15 00:01:05,787 --> 00:01:08,347 Speaker 2: not get too carried away, but certainly a month I'm 16 00:01:08,347 --> 00:01:10,387 Speaker 2: sure they'll be happy to put behind them. Auklandly if 17 00:01:10,427 --> 00:01:13,267 Speaker 2: he defended Dan Halls, whether it's on Weekend Sport, a 18 00:01:13,387 --> 00:01:15,627 Speaker 2: challenging January. As I say, Dan, have you been able 19 00:01:15,627 --> 00:01:18,707 Speaker 2: to put your finger on why results haven't been what 20 00:01:18,787 --> 00:01:21,587 Speaker 2: you were after in the last five or six games. 21 00:01:22,227 --> 00:01:26,347 Speaker 3: Yeah, man, it's obviously hasn't been an ideal, but I 22 00:01:26,387 --> 00:01:28,907 Speaker 3: think that's the magic of football. You know, on anyone's day, 23 00:01:28,947 --> 00:01:32,347 Speaker 3: you know, anyone can beat anyone. And I think we're 24 00:01:32,347 --> 00:01:35,067 Speaker 3: obviously experiencing, you know, a rather challenging time right now. 25 00:01:35,107 --> 00:01:38,147 Speaker 3: But I'm sure we have the talent in the team 26 00:01:38,187 --> 00:01:40,787 Speaker 3: and you know, the determination to get out of the ruts. 27 00:01:40,947 --> 00:01:43,227 Speaker 2: Yes, you'd say, so, do you do you still think 28 00:01:43,267 --> 00:01:48,067 Speaker 2: you're playing pretty well as a team for the most part, Yeah. 29 00:01:48,067 --> 00:01:48,507 Speaker 4: I think so. 30 00:01:49,027 --> 00:01:51,427 Speaker 3: I think often, you know, we're controlling games. I think 31 00:01:51,907 --> 00:01:54,027 Speaker 3: second half on the last couple of games have been 32 00:01:54,027 --> 00:01:56,227 Speaker 3: a bit disappointing. But I think we've been starting well 33 00:01:56,267 --> 00:01:59,467 Speaker 3: and you know, we've in patches, have dominated a lot 34 00:01:59,507 --> 00:02:01,507 Speaker 3: of the games we've been in. But unfortunately, you know, 35 00:02:01,907 --> 00:02:05,867 Speaker 3: we're conceding, conceding goals and not scoring as many as 36 00:02:05,867 --> 00:02:06,227 Speaker 3: we'd like. 37 00:02:07,107 --> 00:02:10,667 Speaker 2: So, I mean it sounds like a how do you 38 00:02:10,707 --> 00:02:12,747 Speaker 2: fix it? If it was an easy fix, I guess 39 00:02:12,747 --> 00:02:15,187 Speaker 2: you'd fix it easily. Is there is there anything that 40 00:02:15,227 --> 00:02:18,307 Speaker 2: you can do better to try and you know, stop 41 00:02:18,387 --> 00:02:19,107 Speaker 2: this from happening? 42 00:02:20,587 --> 00:02:24,307 Speaker 4: Good question? You know, like, obviously I'm not a coach. 43 00:02:24,347 --> 00:02:27,387 Speaker 3: I'm just a player, but I think it's there's obviously 44 00:02:27,387 --> 00:02:30,147 Speaker 3: a lot of challenges. I think just seeing out games 45 00:02:30,147 --> 00:02:32,347 Speaker 3: and you know, taking our chances and just being a 46 00:02:32,387 --> 00:02:33,987 Speaker 3: hard team to break down like we were, you know, 47 00:02:34,107 --> 00:02:36,587 Speaker 3: last season. And I think just getting back to hard 48 00:02:36,627 --> 00:02:40,227 Speaker 3: work and hopefully a mixture of all those things, we 49 00:02:40,267 --> 00:02:41,627 Speaker 3: can turn these results around. 50 00:02:41,747 --> 00:02:44,467 Speaker 2: You mentioned a determination there before, Dan how determined other 51 00:02:44,507 --> 00:02:47,027 Speaker 2: playing group to to turn this around to you know, 52 00:02:47,107 --> 00:02:49,507 Speaker 2: to charge into what is a really important set of 53 00:02:49,547 --> 00:02:51,187 Speaker 2: games coming up over the next month or so. 54 00:02:52,387 --> 00:02:54,787 Speaker 3: Yeah, for sure, I think, you know, we're blessed here 55 00:02:54,827 --> 00:02:56,907 Speaker 3: at Auckland. We have such a talented and a big 56 00:02:56,947 --> 00:03:02,267 Speaker 3: depth in squad, so obviously we can we can win 57 00:03:02,347 --> 00:03:04,747 Speaker 3: lots of games when we have the depth, and you know, 58 00:03:04,907 --> 00:03:06,707 Speaker 3: with all the games coming thick and far, so it's 59 00:03:06,707 --> 00:03:11,387 Speaker 3: obviously a hard it's a hard, hard to break momentum 60 00:03:11,387 --> 00:03:13,907 Speaker 3: once you have it. So hopefully starting this week, you know, 61 00:03:13,947 --> 00:03:15,747 Speaker 3: we start, we get on a run and keep going. 62 00:03:16,187 --> 00:03:18,547 Speaker 2: This is your first meeting with Sydney FC this season 63 00:03:18,587 --> 00:03:22,027 Speaker 2: because of the postpone match before Christmas, so you're in 64 00:03:22,067 --> 00:03:24,227 Speaker 2: the situation now where you play them twice in two 65 00:03:24,267 --> 00:03:27,107 Speaker 2: games today and then Tuesday week, So does it feel 66 00:03:27,187 --> 00:03:30,667 Speaker 2: like a fairly pivotal couple of games given how tight 67 00:03:30,667 --> 00:03:31,227 Speaker 2: the table is? 68 00:03:32,227 --> 00:03:32,947 Speaker 4: Yeah, for sure. 69 00:03:33,547 --> 00:03:37,387 Speaker 3: Sydney obviously, you know a talented team and they're doing 70 00:03:37,467 --> 00:03:39,707 Speaker 3: quite well. You know, they're coming off of the back 71 00:03:39,747 --> 00:03:42,907 Speaker 3: of a very good win against the Wanderers, so to 72 00:03:42,947 --> 00:03:45,067 Speaker 3: have them in kind of like a two leger, as 73 00:03:45,107 --> 00:03:47,347 Speaker 3: you'd say, we're looking forward to the challenge. 74 00:03:47,507 --> 00:03:49,147 Speaker 2: Now you know what it's like to play against your 75 00:03:49,147 --> 00:03:51,587 Speaker 2: former side, having of course played for the Mariners and 76 00:03:51,587 --> 00:03:54,267 Speaker 2: now at Auckland FC, have you sinceed any extra edge? 77 00:03:54,307 --> 00:03:57,147 Speaker 2: And Jake Goodwood right this week as he prepares to 78 00:03:57,507 --> 00:03:59,307 Speaker 2: face his former side for the first time. 79 00:04:00,667 --> 00:04:01,627 Speaker 4: No, I think you know. 80 00:04:01,707 --> 00:04:04,307 Speaker 3: The good thing with Jake is you know he's just 81 00:04:04,827 --> 00:04:07,987 Speaker 3: come as you go, always a serious, serious guy. So 82 00:04:09,027 --> 00:04:11,467 Speaker 3: you know, I think he's raring to go internally and 83 00:04:11,747 --> 00:04:13,107 Speaker 3: I can't wait to see him out on the pitch. 84 00:04:13,187 --> 00:04:14,747 Speaker 2: How did you find that when you, I mean you've 85 00:04:14,747 --> 00:04:16,747 Speaker 2: done it a few times now played against the Mariners. 86 00:04:17,187 --> 00:04:20,307 Speaker 2: Was there was there any I don't know, weirdness to 87 00:04:20,387 --> 00:04:22,107 Speaker 2: it looking across and saying, hey host to wear that 88 00:04:22,107 --> 00:04:23,987 Speaker 2: shot or worried about seventy or eighty times. 89 00:04:25,467 --> 00:04:26,587 Speaker 4: Yeah, in a way. 90 00:04:26,667 --> 00:04:30,267 Speaker 3: You know, it's obviously it's more so the people on 91 00:04:30,307 --> 00:04:32,627 Speaker 3: that team, you know, like that. I consider them some 92 00:04:32,707 --> 00:04:35,187 Speaker 3: of my best mates. So when I was versing the Mariners, 93 00:04:35,187 --> 00:04:37,507 Speaker 3: it was, you know, it was it was good to 94 00:04:37,507 --> 00:04:40,227 Speaker 3: see my friends again, but obviously very competitive at the 95 00:04:40,267 --> 00:04:40,747 Speaker 3: same time. 96 00:04:40,947 --> 00:04:41,827 Speaker 4: And what about your coach. 97 00:04:41,867 --> 00:04:43,707 Speaker 2: I mean, I know, as you say, you deal mainly 98 00:04:43,747 --> 00:04:45,547 Speaker 2: with the playing group, but he's got this deep connection 99 00:04:45,627 --> 00:04:48,147 Speaker 2: with SYDNEYFC. He doesn't really try to hide it. But 100 00:04:48,187 --> 00:04:50,467 Speaker 2: do you notice him is he? But each year Steve 101 00:04:50,547 --> 00:04:52,867 Speaker 2: Coriker a head of games against SYDNEYFC. 102 00:04:55,347 --> 00:04:58,787 Speaker 3: Honestly, like I haven't, I haven't noticed any difference. You know, 103 00:04:59,227 --> 00:05:01,467 Speaker 3: Steve's the winner, so wants to win every game possible. 104 00:05:01,507 --> 00:05:03,587 Speaker 3: So I think he's just taking it as another game. 105 00:05:03,627 --> 00:05:06,147 Speaker 3: But I think obviously with the history they have and 106 00:05:06,187 --> 00:05:08,547 Speaker 3: you being so deeply involved in the cloth for so 107 00:05:08,587 --> 00:05:11,267 Speaker 3: many years, I guess this game is a little bit 108 00:05:11,267 --> 00:05:12,347 Speaker 3: different for him than others. 109 00:05:12,347 --> 00:05:14,827 Speaker 4: But yeah, I think he's keeping it cool at the moment. 110 00:05:15,187 --> 00:05:18,107 Speaker 2: Very sad news about Olie Sale. You know, got his 111 00:05:18,147 --> 00:05:20,787 Speaker 2: opportunity last week to start and then you know, so 112 00:05:20,867 --> 00:05:24,187 Speaker 2: innocuous taking a goal kick he's taken thousands in his 113 00:05:24,267 --> 00:05:26,787 Speaker 2: life and it ends up with a serious injury. You 114 00:05:27,147 --> 00:05:30,147 Speaker 2: have you wrapped support around him as a playing group 115 00:05:30,427 --> 00:05:33,587 Speaker 2: as he faces a fairly decent stint on the sidelines. 116 00:05:34,347 --> 00:05:37,787 Speaker 3: Yeah, obviously, you know, I haven't actually seen him since 117 00:05:37,907 --> 00:05:39,907 Speaker 3: since the injury, but you know, I think all the 118 00:05:39,907 --> 00:05:41,147 Speaker 3: boys are sent him messages. 119 00:05:41,787 --> 00:05:43,027 Speaker 4: You know that we're with him all the way. 120 00:05:43,067 --> 00:05:46,107 Speaker 3: Obviously, it's super upsetting for him to get injured in 121 00:05:46,147 --> 00:05:47,587 Speaker 3: the way he did when you know he was getting 122 00:05:47,627 --> 00:05:51,427 Speaker 3: his chance, and that's football, right. So as a playing group, 123 00:05:51,467 --> 00:05:53,427 Speaker 3: you know, we're all behind him and I'm just wishing 124 00:05:53,507 --> 00:05:55,227 Speaker 3: him all the very best for his road to recovery. 125 00:05:55,427 --> 00:05:56,747 Speaker 2: And I think this afternoon there's going to be a 126 00:05:56,787 --> 00:05:59,707 Speaker 2: presentation to you after the game to mark your one 127 00:05:59,747 --> 00:06:02,747 Speaker 2: hundred games in the A League, seventy four of those 128 00:06:02,867 --> 00:06:06,307 Speaker 2: with the Mariners and the majority of the rest with Auckland. 129 00:06:06,427 --> 00:06:09,107 Speaker 2: If so, is that a milestone that means something to you? 130 00:06:09,187 --> 00:06:10,787 Speaker 2: Quite proud to bring up the hundred. 131 00:06:11,387 --> 00:06:14,067 Speaker 4: Yeah, for sure, I think obviously. 132 00:06:14,107 --> 00:06:16,227 Speaker 3: I think when I first signed my first contract, I 133 00:06:16,227 --> 00:06:19,187 Speaker 3: wouldn't imagine, you know, I was just happy to sign 134 00:06:19,227 --> 00:06:21,107 Speaker 3: a contract, but then now to play one hundred games 135 00:06:21,107 --> 00:06:24,187 Speaker 3: in the league is you know, not every player is 136 00:06:24,267 --> 00:06:27,027 Speaker 3: lucky enough to do that, So obviously I'm not taking 137 00:06:27,027 --> 00:06:29,507 Speaker 3: it for granted. But I think once you achieve that, 138 00:06:29,587 --> 00:06:31,387 Speaker 3: you know, it's just you know what's next. So I'm 139 00:06:31,427 --> 00:06:34,107 Speaker 3: always pushing to be better and Jeah just blessed that 140 00:06:34,187 --> 00:06:36,147 Speaker 3: I've stayed fit for the one hundred games. 141 00:06:36,267 --> 00:06:38,947 Speaker 2: And in your time, Dan, can you remember a tighter table? 142 00:06:39,147 --> 00:06:42,667 Speaker 2: You know, twelve points between first and last. You win 143 00:06:42,707 --> 00:06:44,427 Speaker 2: a couple of games, you jump up, you lose a 144 00:06:44,427 --> 00:06:46,587 Speaker 2: couple of you fall down. Can you remember it being 145 00:06:46,627 --> 00:06:47,067 Speaker 2: this tight? 146 00:06:48,267 --> 00:06:51,187 Speaker 3: Honestly, no, no, Parneyer, I can't. I think that's just 147 00:06:51,227 --> 00:06:54,707 Speaker 3: the magic of the league this year. Literally, as I said, 148 00:06:54,747 --> 00:06:56,907 Speaker 3: any team on the day can be anyone, and that's proven. 149 00:06:57,027 --> 00:06:59,307 Speaker 3: You know, like you go, you lose a couple of games, 150 00:06:59,387 --> 00:07:01,347 Speaker 3: you can either drop a lot of places or win 151 00:07:01,387 --> 00:07:03,627 Speaker 3: a couple and you can go up to the six. 152 00:07:03,707 --> 00:07:06,067 Speaker 3: So it's it's pretty crazy, and you know it's a 153 00:07:06,107 --> 00:07:06,787 Speaker 3: crazy league. 154 00:07:07,067 --> 00:07:09,547 Speaker 2: Now, when's the first Auckland FC goal of yours coming? 155 00:07:09,547 --> 00:07:11,027 Speaker 2: When am I going to get to call this? 156 00:07:12,227 --> 00:07:13,307 Speaker 4: Oh? Well, hopefully tiny. 157 00:07:13,347 --> 00:07:15,827 Speaker 3: You know I've been I've been taking it to the 158 00:07:15,827 --> 00:07:18,507 Speaker 3: tribune all that I've been staying back in staying back 159 00:07:18,547 --> 00:07:21,267 Speaker 3: in set pieces. So I've been putting putting my name 160 00:07:21,307 --> 00:07:22,907 Speaker 3: in the hat, just letting it, letting the boys know 161 00:07:22,987 --> 00:07:25,747 Speaker 3: when they missed their miss their set pieces in set 162 00:07:25,747 --> 00:07:27,587 Speaker 3: peace training. When I'm staying at the back, you know 163 00:07:27,667 --> 00:07:29,907 Speaker 3: that there's a guy there wearing to go. So if 164 00:07:29,947 --> 00:07:32,147 Speaker 3: I get the call up, hopefully one day you'll be 165 00:07:32,147 --> 00:07:33,667 Speaker 3: able to say, Dan, all goal. 166 00:07:33,867 --> 00:07:35,347 Speaker 2: Well, I hope that's this afternoon. 167 00:07:35,387 --> 00:07:36,507 Speaker 4: I hope that's this afternoon. 168 00:07:36,507 --> 00:07:38,507 Speaker 2: I hope. But it's the start of a of a 169 00:07:38,547 --> 00:07:40,587 Speaker 2: revival of sorts. I mean it's not panic. You're still 170 00:07:40,627 --> 00:07:43,227 Speaker 2: third on the table. But yeah, a big game this 171 00:07:43,267 --> 00:07:45,547 Speaker 2: afternoon against Sydney FC. Thanks for chatting mate, look forward 172 00:07:45,547 --> 00:07:46,347 Speaker 2: to seeing you but later on. 173 00:07:46,467 --> 00:07:48,227 Speaker 4: Appreciate it. Thanks pining, thank you. 174 00:07:48,147 --> 00:07:50,107 Speaker 2: No, thank you, Dan, Dan Hall there out of Auckland 175 00:07:50,187 --> 00:07:53,307 Speaker 2: f C. Five o'clockack off this afternoon, big crowd and 176 00:07:53,387 --> 00:07:57,387 Speaker 2: coming again. I've heard of sort of twelve thirteen, fourteen 177 00:07:57,427 --> 00:08:00,307 Speaker 2: thousand expected. How it go immediate, It's not bad for 178 00:08:00,667 --> 00:08:04,387 Speaker 2: a holiday weekend. So Auckland FC and Sydney f C 179 00:08:04,547 --> 00:08:07,467 Speaker 2: has mentioned tight on points twenty five a piece Sydney 180 00:08:07,507 --> 00:08:10,587 Speaker 2: of C ahead on goal difference, a window worth three 181 00:08:10,587 --> 00:08:13,427 Speaker 2: points that would take either side ahead of the Newcastle Jets, 182 00:08:13,427 --> 00:08:16,027 Speaker 2: who are currently on twenty seven points. They are yet 183 00:08:16,067 --> 00:08:19,347 Speaker 2: to play this weekend. Their match is against Adelaide tomorrow. 184 00:08:19,387 --> 00:08:21,347 Speaker 2: Just a word on the Wellington Phoenix women as well. 185 00:08:21,627 --> 00:08:23,467 Speaker 2: We mentioned it and in case you missed it, but 186 00:08:24,547 --> 00:08:27,707 Speaker 2: for the first time ever, the Wellington Phoenix Women occupy 187 00:08:27,867 --> 00:08:30,947 Speaker 2: top spot on the A League Women's Ladder. They have 188 00:08:31,027 --> 00:08:33,987 Speaker 2: won their last four games in a row. That is 189 00:08:34,067 --> 00:08:36,747 Speaker 2: also a club record. This is a team to keep 190 00:08:36,747 --> 00:08:38,787 Speaker 2: an eye on over the next two to three months. 191 00:08:38,827 --> 00:08:42,107 Speaker 2: They are really hitting their stride now under Bev Priestman 192 00:08:42,347 --> 00:08:45,267 Speaker 2: and doing some great things. So keep an eye on 193 00:08:44,987 --> 00:08:47,107 Speaker 2: the Wellington Phoenix Women. 194 00:08:47,947 --> 00:08:51,147 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live 195 00:08:51,267 --> 00:08:54,547 Speaker 1: to News Talk zed B weekends from midday or follow 196 00:08:54,587 --> 00:08:56,187 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.