The Unused Subs

For the final time this A-League regular season, our two kiwi teams square off on Saturday afternoon in the nation's capital. WHO WILL WIN? Can the Wellington Phoenix finally get on the board? Or will Auckland FC extend their streak to SIX?! The boys make an argument for the Nix, an argument for Auckland, and reveal which player will hold the key to unlocking victory.

Then we are joined by our guest this week, Emiliano Tade. He gives his take on the derby, and speaks about how much he's enjoying his role within Auckland FC's Pro League team as a player/assistant coach.

Emiliano reveals how close he came to playing A-League football, and what would have happened if he never boarded the plane from Argentina to New Zealand more than 15 years ago... in an alternate reality, he probably stays in South America and becomes a lawyer!

We're happy to say he made the right choice, as he became a big part of Auckland City's success during their FIFA Club World Cup run. The Subs bench goes back to that one time in 2014 when they placed 3rd in Morocco, Ivan Vicelich won a bronze ball, and Emiliano missed a sitter against San Lorenzo... Argentina's South American champions, and a team he watched very closely growing up!

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With Tyler St Sport opening its doors for the Superbowl on Monday, The Unused Subs needed a venue to play their unique brand of football…  look no further than directly upstairs, as the mighty Portside came to the rescue!  Only one small issue though: very, very hot in there, with the sun beating down through the glass roof!  Hydration was key, which it will be when CLAUDIA BUNGE and the Football Ferns head to Honiara shortly to commence World Cup Qualifying.

Claudia begins by addressing some of her on-field issues lately which threaten to sully her good name - a straight red card that was later overturned, and also the concession of a dubious penalty at the weekend.  After that, we talk about last season’s rollercoaster ride of a grand final, and how that is providing motivation for her and the Melbourne Victory to go one better this time around.

As an Aucklander, would she ever entertain the idea of playing for an Auckland FC women’s team?  Claudia gives her take on why the Aussies haven’t maximized the fan opportunity created by co-hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.

We go down memory lane too, with Claudia’s experiences of THAT World Cup; winning against Norway on opening night, failing to qualify for the knockout round and everything in between…  including being an ambassador for Visa!  That’s gotta mean free money, right?

And lastly, but most importantly…  WE’VE BEEN SAYING HER NAME WRONG FOR YEARS.  A stunning tutorial at the end of this episode awaits you!

Oh, and we start with our weekend wrap, including Sarpreet Singh returning for the Wellington Phoenix, Max Crocombe versus Libby Cacace, and what’s going to happen when Auckland FC finally hit the target more regularly?!  An xG of FIVE vs Sydney?!  Someone’s getting destroyed very soon!

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Dutch international and injured Wellington Phoenix footballer TESSEL MIDDAG joins The Unused Subs today, but not before the boys talk about Oli Sail’s unfortunate injury for Auckland FC, Bill Tuiloma’s horrible error for the Nix, and debate which kiwi will be promoted to the Premier League from the EFL Championship - Marko Stamenic, Tyler Bindon, Max Crocombe, or Libby Cacace?

When Tessel arrives on the scene, she reviews the biggest road win in Wellington Phoenix Women history, 5-1 over the Newcastle Jets… with Paul Ifill bragging about Pia Vlok’s insane hattrick.  After all, he did tweet about her a few months ago, telling us she’d be amazing!

Tessel speaks about recovering from her 3rd ACL injury, with surgery some 6 weeks behind her now.  Being a long way from home, she tells us how she’s keeping busy, not only through rehab but by assisting the team with video analysis and offering plenty of advice to the young kiwis at the Phoenix.

The conversation shifts to what can be done to elevate the Women’s A-League, and the difficulties many players face when their football salary isn’t enough to cover the bills at home, meaning additional work is required to function in the real world.  But at what cost to their football?  Or even their other job??  Being stretched too thin can’t be good for either…  and then there’s the mental strain placed on the athlete as well. 

And having played with so many rockstars of the women’s game, we get Tessel to reveal her Four X’s with Collinson Forex - spoiler alert, Lucy Bronze makes the cut, and did you know she played Euros on a broken leg?!  So much more resilient than Iffy, who injured himself during a goal celebration!  Be sure to watch to the end to see the results of that!

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A bumper episode from The Unused Subs this week with so much to cover off!  Our special guest is Wellington Phoenix Original and All Whites superstar striker Shane Smeltz, but before we get to him the Subs unpack:

* The Michael Woud last-minute shocker against Central Coast Mariners
* Should Oli Sail replace Woud in the Auckland FC goal?
* What is Auckland FC’s best attacking line-up?
* The 21-second wondergoal from Lachie Bayliss for the Jets vs Phoenix
* The first week of the OFC Pro League
* The Wellington Phoenix Women who have surged into 2nd spot!

Smeltzy kicks off around the 15-minute mark.  It’s a big week for the Wellington Phoenix, as they prepare for their 500th Men’s match in club history.  Shane was there at the very beginning, so we ask about his memories of Game No. 1, his efforts across the first two seasons which lead to a Johnny Warren Medal win…  which in turn put huge pressure on Paul Ifill who was signed to replace Smeltzy and all his goals!

We find out about Terry Serepisos - the former owner’s shoes, dance moves and on-field abilities come under intense scrutiny!  

And with Shane being one of only 4 kiwis to have scored at a FIFA World Cup, and as the 2026 edition is less than 5 months away, it was a glorious chance to review his goal against Italy - was he offside? - and he reveals the real life Mario Kart-style race that could have gone so differently for one All Whites defender in South Africa!

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#football #soccer #newzealand

The giant frame of Sam Cosgrove eased into the Tyler St Sport studio this week! The Auckland FC big man was ready to chat all things about his move to NZ from the UK, and experiencing his first summer Christmas. Whether Paul Ifill could hang in for the entire chat though was placed in serious doubt; sat at Christchurch Airport ready to fly home, with low phone battery and no charging cable in sight!

Regardless, The Unused Subs pushed on, as Sam and Iffy compare their experiences as import forwards in the A-League. Sam speaks about the extensive travel, getting used to the numerous time differences across Australasia, and the impossible heat that comes with playing football during summertime... something he's never been faced with before!

He mentions Duncan Ferguson who helped hone his craft as a target man in his younger years, talks about THAT scarcely believable goal after 28-seconds in the Kiwi derby and how AFC planned to nail the Phoenix high line, we create a commercial opportunity for he and Francis De Vries, and pose the question: Has he ever heard 'Sam Cosgrove' and 'Ballon D'Or' in the same sentence? The answer may shock you, but not if you support Aberdeen.

FOLLOW THE UNUSED SUBS!
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theunusedsubs/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theunusedsubs
Kiwis talk football too!
#football #soccer #newzealand