1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 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 News Talks EDB. 3 00:00:12,707 --> 00:00:15,387 Speaker 2: Kick off at five auklandle FC and or watch defender 4 00:00:15,467 --> 00:00:18,027 Speaker 2: Kellen Elliott is whethers thanks for taking the call on 5 00:00:18,067 --> 00:00:21,267 Speaker 2: matchday Kellen? After a tough January where you had just 6 00:00:21,347 --> 00:00:23,627 Speaker 2: one win in six matches, Februy's been a lot better. 7 00:00:23,627 --> 00:00:26,987 Speaker 2: You're unbeaten this month. There's anything changed or clicked? 8 00:00:27,787 --> 00:00:29,827 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, like you said, February has been a 9 00:00:30,227 --> 00:00:34,587 Speaker 3: lot better than jan jan results didn't really go away, 10 00:00:34,707 --> 00:00:39,427 Speaker 3: but I think we've just continued doing what we've been doing. 11 00:00:39,507 --> 00:00:42,907 Speaker 3: You know, we know we're a good enough team to 12 00:00:42,947 --> 00:00:47,867 Speaker 3: be anyone, and I think February we've just been taking 13 00:00:47,867 --> 00:00:52,867 Speaker 3: our chance season conceidering less goals basically, which has got 14 00:00:53,227 --> 00:00:54,027 Speaker 3: us those results. 15 00:00:54,267 --> 00:00:57,147 Speaker 2: Absolutely, that's the secret, isn't it to winning football games? 16 00:00:57,587 --> 00:01:02,187 Speaker 2: Including a five nil win away in the derby last weekend. 17 00:01:02,427 --> 00:01:07,307 Speaker 2: How satisfying was that result in that performance for Auckland 18 00:01:07,387 --> 00:01:07,547 Speaker 2: f C. 19 00:01:09,067 --> 00:01:13,347 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean we always like betting those guys, but 20 00:01:13,467 --> 00:01:16,147 Speaker 3: you know, not only because it's those guys, but because 21 00:01:16,307 --> 00:01:19,107 Speaker 3: it's also getting to the end of the season where 22 00:01:19,547 --> 00:01:21,467 Speaker 3: you know, we got Newcastle ahead of us, so we 23 00:01:21,507 --> 00:01:24,067 Speaker 3: need to keep winning games. So to get that five 24 00:01:24,227 --> 00:01:28,747 Speaker 3: mil was was really good, especially for our goal difference 25 00:01:28,787 --> 00:01:31,627 Speaker 3: because with the leaks soil take it can come. 26 00:01:31,507 --> 00:01:35,227 Speaker 4: Down to that at the at the end of the season. 27 00:01:35,347 --> 00:01:37,987 Speaker 3: So yeah, we were really happy and you know we've 28 00:01:37,987 --> 00:01:40,347 Speaker 3: gained a lot of confidence from it. 29 00:01:41,107 --> 00:01:43,547 Speaker 2: How do you make sure because they're big games, aren't they? 30 00:01:43,587 --> 00:01:47,067 Speaker 2: Derby's full of emotion, full of talking points and I'm 31 00:01:47,067 --> 00:01:49,347 Speaker 2: sure they take up a lot of energy, both physical 32 00:01:49,387 --> 00:01:51,827 Speaker 2: and mental. How do you make sure there's no emotional 33 00:01:51,907 --> 00:01:54,427 Speaker 2: drop off against Melbourne City this weekend? 34 00:01:56,147 --> 00:01:58,907 Speaker 3: I think it just comes down to the because we 35 00:01:58,987 --> 00:02:02,387 Speaker 3: have remaining eight games. I think it is and you 36 00:02:02,427 --> 00:02:06,667 Speaker 3: know we've got Newcastle Newcastle ahead of us. They keep 37 00:02:06,987 --> 00:02:09,827 Speaker 3: winning games, so you know we've got to got to 38 00:02:09,827 --> 00:02:13,027 Speaker 3: do the same to try to get get past them. 39 00:02:13,467 --> 00:02:15,987 Speaker 3: You know, a big goal of ours is to go 40 00:02:16,067 --> 00:02:19,947 Speaker 3: back to back in the Premiers place, so you know, 41 00:02:20,027 --> 00:02:22,907 Speaker 3: we take game by game and you know we have 42 00:02:22,987 --> 00:02:24,827 Speaker 3: a lot of a lot of motivation to try and 43 00:02:24,907 --> 00:02:25,467 Speaker 3: win the league. 44 00:02:25,467 --> 00:02:25,747 Speaker 4: Again. 45 00:02:26,107 --> 00:02:27,827 Speaker 2: You were missing a couple of big players last week 46 00:02:27,827 --> 00:02:31,027 Speaker 2: as well. Over Strata was was injured, Sam Cosgrove was 47 00:02:31,067 --> 00:02:34,027 Speaker 2: suspended Lockie Brook started on the bench. Nando Ponic is 48 00:02:34,027 --> 00:02:36,587 Speaker 2: still out, of course injured. So you know, how proud 49 00:02:36,587 --> 00:02:38,787 Speaker 2: are you of the of the ability within the Auckland 50 00:02:38,867 --> 00:02:41,067 Speaker 2: f C side to have a bit of a next 51 00:02:41,107 --> 00:02:44,027 Speaker 2: man up mentality And well, certainly there was no drop 52 00:02:44,027 --> 00:02:45,787 Speaker 2: off in fact of anything. It was a it was 53 00:02:45,827 --> 00:02:46,707 Speaker 2: a better performance. 54 00:02:48,547 --> 00:02:53,347 Speaker 3: Yeah, all those players are great players, but you know, 55 00:02:53,347 --> 00:02:56,107 Speaker 3: it just shows the depths that we have have here 56 00:02:56,147 --> 00:02:59,627 Speaker 3: at oklandt C. We've got players that can step in 57 00:02:59,707 --> 00:03:02,827 Speaker 3: and do a job just just as good. So you 58 00:03:02,867 --> 00:03:06,507 Speaker 3: know it's good to have those sorts of players in 59 00:03:06,547 --> 00:03:08,187 Speaker 3: the back end of the season when you do pick 60 00:03:08,267 --> 00:03:11,827 Speaker 3: up these injuries, because yeah, see teams pick up injuries 61 00:03:11,827 --> 00:03:12,427 Speaker 3: and they sort. 62 00:03:12,307 --> 00:03:12,987 Speaker 4: Of fall off. 63 00:03:15,187 --> 00:03:18,947 Speaker 3: But yeah, for us, it was just just important for 64 00:03:19,067 --> 00:03:21,467 Speaker 3: us players to come in and do the job that 65 00:03:21,507 --> 00:03:22,867 Speaker 3: the others have been doing. Well. 66 00:03:22,867 --> 00:03:25,707 Speaker 2: I guess you're kind of a great case study of 67 00:03:25,707 --> 00:03:28,267 Speaker 2: this because both last year and this year. I mean, 68 00:03:28,307 --> 00:03:30,987 Speaker 2: you know, you've you've had times during the season when 69 00:03:30,987 --> 00:03:33,587 Speaker 2: you've been starting, and obviously earlier this season when Hiroarchi 70 00:03:33,627 --> 00:03:35,027 Speaker 2: Sarka was out, you've got a run of games and 71 00:03:35,067 --> 00:03:38,227 Speaker 2: then you're back in an impact role. You know, how 72 00:03:38,267 --> 00:03:43,107 Speaker 2: have you managed yourself around not really knowing potentially week 73 00:03:43,187 --> 00:03:45,587 Speaker 2: to week exactly what your involvement is going to be, 74 00:03:46,067 --> 00:03:48,227 Speaker 2: but making sure that whatever it is is at a 75 00:03:48,227 --> 00:03:49,307 Speaker 2: really good level. 76 00:03:50,507 --> 00:03:50,707 Speaker 4: Yeah. 77 00:03:50,787 --> 00:03:55,267 Speaker 3: Well it's basically just knowing that I can be called 78 00:03:55,347 --> 00:03:58,387 Speaker 3: up at anytime. You know, It's it's very difficult to 79 00:03:58,387 --> 00:04:01,067 Speaker 3: get ahead of Heiroki. You know, he's a great player 80 00:04:01,067 --> 00:04:04,627 Speaker 3: and he's also the captain. So you know, for me, 81 00:04:04,707 --> 00:04:07,627 Speaker 3: it's just about staying rad you know, working hard at 82 00:04:07,667 --> 00:04:10,547 Speaker 3: training so when that call up does come that I 83 00:04:10,587 --> 00:04:11,267 Speaker 3: am ready and. 84 00:04:11,347 --> 00:04:13,147 Speaker 4: Yeah, that's that's what I've been doing. 85 00:04:13,187 --> 00:04:16,987 Speaker 2: So yeah, in that fullback role or wing back as 86 00:04:17,027 --> 00:04:20,827 Speaker 2: the case may be, how do you balance the attacking 87 00:04:20,907 --> 00:04:23,307 Speaker 2: side of it, the intent you have there, and your 88 00:04:23,667 --> 00:04:26,667 Speaker 2: your defensive brief and defensive responsibility. 89 00:04:28,227 --> 00:04:28,387 Speaker 4: Yeah. 90 00:04:28,427 --> 00:04:32,827 Speaker 3: I mean for me personally, I need to work on 91 00:04:33,107 --> 00:04:35,307 Speaker 3: my attacking more. I used to be a very attack 92 00:04:35,347 --> 00:04:41,387 Speaker 3: in minded fullback. Now defending's probably my strong point. You know, 93 00:04:41,467 --> 00:04:46,187 Speaker 3: I'm getting clean sheets. It's very important for us. So 94 00:04:46,227 --> 00:04:48,427 Speaker 3: you know, I've been working on defending the past couple 95 00:04:48,467 --> 00:04:53,627 Speaker 3: of years and it's it's improved dramatically. But yeah, like 96 00:04:53,627 --> 00:04:55,987 Speaker 3: I said, for me, I want to get forward more. 97 00:04:56,027 --> 00:04:59,547 Speaker 3: I probably don't get get the well. I haven't had 98 00:04:59,547 --> 00:05:02,787 Speaker 3: any assists this season, which which at the start of 99 00:05:02,787 --> 00:05:04,667 Speaker 3: the season I was I was hoping for a few. 100 00:05:04,827 --> 00:05:08,387 Speaker 3: So that's my goal, to just get get forward more 101 00:05:08,587 --> 00:05:11,827 Speaker 3: and help create opportunities for the team. 102 00:05:11,827 --> 00:05:13,587 Speaker 2: Are used to. Are you happy though, with the way 103 00:05:13,627 --> 00:05:15,147 Speaker 2: you're with the way you're tracking the season? 104 00:05:16,347 --> 00:05:20,027 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean I'm happy. You know, we've had games 105 00:05:20,027 --> 00:05:24,427 Speaker 3: where we've been defensively strong and yeah, I feel like 106 00:05:24,467 --> 00:05:28,547 Speaker 3: when I've played, I've done a good job. Yeah, So overall, 107 00:05:28,747 --> 00:05:30,987 Speaker 3: I'm pretty happy with my performances this season. 108 00:05:31,427 --> 00:05:33,547 Speaker 2: No getting away from the fact that there's a World 109 00:05:33,587 --> 00:05:36,587 Speaker 2: Cup looming on the horizon getting ever closer. Couple of 110 00:05:36,587 --> 00:05:40,267 Speaker 2: All Whites games next month as well. How much is 111 00:05:41,067 --> 00:05:44,147 Speaker 2: an All Whites call up on your mind at the moment. 112 00:05:45,787 --> 00:05:48,827 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's always on my main to be fair, I'd 113 00:05:48,827 --> 00:05:51,227 Speaker 3: be lying if I said it was in the back 114 00:05:51,267 --> 00:05:51,787 Speaker 3: of my mind. 115 00:05:54,347 --> 00:05:55,907 Speaker 4: You know, it's it's a dream to go to the 116 00:05:55,907 --> 00:05:56,427 Speaker 4: World Cup. 117 00:05:56,547 --> 00:06:00,707 Speaker 3: So everything I do is trying to get into that 118 00:06:00,867 --> 00:06:01,787 Speaker 3: New Zealand team and. 119 00:06:02,707 --> 00:06:06,787 Speaker 4: Hopefully I'll be selected for the March window. 120 00:06:09,187 --> 00:06:11,507 Speaker 3: Yeah, because that would be a good step in Storm 121 00:06:11,547 --> 00:06:14,267 Speaker 3: for the World Cup squad when it comes about. 122 00:06:14,587 --> 00:06:17,467 Speaker 2: So does that carrot of ther whites in the World Cup, 123 00:06:17,547 --> 00:06:20,707 Speaker 2: does it actually make you a better week to week 124 00:06:20,747 --> 00:06:23,547 Speaker 2: player with Auckland FC, because I mean that's what's going 125 00:06:23,547 --> 00:06:24,587 Speaker 2: to get you in the team. 126 00:06:24,427 --> 00:06:26,547 Speaker 4: Right, Yeah, exactly. 127 00:06:26,627 --> 00:06:31,547 Speaker 3: I mean you're always working that little bit extra leading 128 00:06:31,627 --> 00:06:33,907 Speaker 3: up to World Cups trying to make that squad, so 129 00:06:35,107 --> 00:06:39,107 Speaker 3: you know everything i'd do at training, yeah, first it 130 00:06:39,267 --> 00:06:42,947 Speaker 3: is Auckland FC, but you know I'm also working towards 131 00:06:42,947 --> 00:06:43,787 Speaker 3: that World Cup squad. 132 00:06:44,787 --> 00:06:47,747 Speaker 2: There's consistency or staying consistent the key to all this 133 00:06:48,147 --> 00:06:49,827 Speaker 2: Or are there I mean you mentioned it before in 134 00:06:49,867 --> 00:06:51,907 Speaker 2: terms of getting up and down and maybe providing some 135 00:06:51,947 --> 00:06:54,707 Speaker 2: assists that sort of thing. Are they or is that 136 00:06:54,787 --> 00:06:57,467 Speaker 2: a specific part of your game that you're you're looking 137 00:06:57,507 --> 00:06:59,307 Speaker 2: to add over the back end of the A League season. 138 00:07:00,907 --> 00:07:05,067 Speaker 3: Yeah, definitely, I'd like a few assists. Maybe a goal 139 00:07:05,147 --> 00:07:08,347 Speaker 3: or two would be nice, but they don't come around 140 00:07:08,347 --> 00:07:12,987 Speaker 3: too often. But yeah, it's just consistency and playing time. 141 00:07:13,427 --> 00:07:16,347 Speaker 3: Playing times a big one. You know, days once players 142 00:07:16,387 --> 00:07:20,347 Speaker 3: that I've got lots of minutes under their belts, so yeah, 143 00:07:20,387 --> 00:07:22,947 Speaker 3: I've just got to try and keep my spot when 144 00:07:22,947 --> 00:07:25,107 Speaker 3: I do get those opportunities to play. 145 00:07:25,027 --> 00:07:27,307 Speaker 2: And you know, at international level, there's a you know, 146 00:07:27,347 --> 00:07:29,907 Speaker 2: there's a there's a lot of a lot of players 147 00:07:29,987 --> 00:07:33,187 Speaker 2: getting minutes playing well for their clubs. It feels as 148 00:07:33,187 --> 00:07:37,267 Speaker 2: though there's real competition for spots in ther watch. You know, 149 00:07:37,747 --> 00:07:39,507 Speaker 2: a two part question, I guess does that bring out 150 00:07:39,507 --> 00:07:41,147 Speaker 2: the best in you? And how do you handle the 151 00:07:41,187 --> 00:07:43,267 Speaker 2: pressure knowing that there are only so many seats on 152 00:07:43,307 --> 00:07:43,787 Speaker 2: that plane. 153 00:07:45,787 --> 00:07:46,027 Speaker 4: Yeah. 154 00:07:46,067 --> 00:07:49,067 Speaker 3: I mean, at the end of the day, I can 155 00:07:49,627 --> 00:07:55,307 Speaker 3: only do as well as I can personally. You know, 156 00:07:55,507 --> 00:07:57,227 Speaker 3: if I come to the end of the season I've 157 00:07:57,267 --> 00:08:00,227 Speaker 3: done my best and I don't get selected, you know, 158 00:08:00,667 --> 00:08:04,427 Speaker 3: I'll be gutted. But at the same time, like you know, 159 00:08:04,547 --> 00:08:06,827 Speaker 3: like I said, I've done everything I could do. 160 00:08:08,627 --> 00:08:11,427 Speaker 4: But yeah, I mean, the New Zealand team's. 161 00:08:11,387 --> 00:08:13,427 Speaker 3: Very strong now You've got all the players in Europe 162 00:08:13,467 --> 00:08:17,307 Speaker 3: playing consistently, so it's going to be a difficult team 163 00:08:17,347 --> 00:08:17,907 Speaker 3: to get into. 164 00:08:19,427 --> 00:08:21,427 Speaker 4: Just yeah, fingers crossed, I can make it. 165 00:08:21,627 --> 00:08:24,707 Speaker 2: Yeah, well, yeah, I mean, everyone will have their own opinion. 166 00:08:24,867 --> 00:08:27,587 Speaker 2: I get the feeling you'll you'll be on that plane, 167 00:08:27,587 --> 00:08:31,547 Speaker 2: but that's not my decision to make obviously, what what 168 00:08:31,747 --> 00:08:34,067 Speaker 2: it means though, what would it mean to go to 169 00:08:34,107 --> 00:08:36,747 Speaker 2: a World Cup? I think that means World Cup with 170 00:08:36,867 --> 00:08:40,107 Speaker 2: the All Whites Vieu'd. 171 00:08:38,827 --> 00:08:42,067 Speaker 3: Be a dream come true. I mean you grow up 172 00:08:43,107 --> 00:08:44,867 Speaker 3: wanting to play in the World Cup. You know, you 173 00:08:45,867 --> 00:08:48,907 Speaker 3: watch it every four years just dreaming have been there 174 00:08:48,947 --> 00:08:52,107 Speaker 3: one day. So to have that opportunity there to be 175 00:08:52,107 --> 00:08:55,507 Speaker 3: able to go is great and you know it's going 176 00:08:55,547 --> 00:08:58,707 Speaker 3: to do a lot for New Zealand football. We have 177 00:08:58,747 --> 00:09:02,507 Speaker 3: a very strong squad so I think you know we 178 00:09:02,547 --> 00:09:04,067 Speaker 3: have we have a chance to get out of the 179 00:09:04,107 --> 00:09:09,147 Speaker 3: pool and yeah, it'd just be surreal to go to 180 00:09:09,147 --> 00:09:10,267 Speaker 3: be honest, I'll be it. 181 00:09:10,307 --> 00:09:11,867 Speaker 2: Well. In the meantime, all you can do is play 182 00:09:11,907 --> 00:09:14,307 Speaker 2: well for Auckland FC, which you have been doing Melbourne 183 00:09:14,307 --> 00:09:16,347 Speaker 2: City this afternoon, five o'clock at go Media. All the 184 00:09:16,347 --> 00:09:18,507 Speaker 2: best so that one, Kellen, and thanks for taking the 185 00:09:18,507 --> 00:09:20,667 Speaker 2: time for a chat. As always, thank you very much, 186 00:09:20,707 --> 00:09:23,027 Speaker 2: in no ways, no thank you, Kellen, Kellen Elliott the 187 00:09:23,027 --> 00:09:25,627 Speaker 2: Auckland FC, Melbourne City this afternoon at five. 188 00:09:25,747 --> 00:09:29,307 Speaker 1: Come for more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen 189 00:09:29,387 --> 00:09:32,627 Speaker 1: live to News Talks it B weekends from midday or 190 00:09:32,707 --> 00:09:34,627 Speaker 1: follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.