The Unused Subs

Sorry not sorry, Australia... your best football team comes from New Zealand! In front of 28,000 fans at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart, Auckland FC reached the A-League summit by defeating Sydney FC 1-0, giving Aotearoa its first-ever A-League champion. There to see it happen was ERIK PAARTALU of Paramount Plus who joins The Unused Subs to review the occasion, and look forward to what comes next - for AFC, the A-League competition, and Steve Corica.

The gaffer has covered himself in glory and silverware since joining Auckland - the minor premiership in Year One, the championship in Year Two. And with those successes, two questions must be asked: Is Steve Corica the BEST manager in A-League history? And... What will Steve do next? The Unused Subs with Erik's help attempt to predict whether Bimbi will stay in Auckland or take an offer offshore.

We also wonder whether Auckland FC can maintain the same level next season, given salary cap pressures, players leaving the club, and potential uncertainty around Steve's future. What say you? Will Auckland FC reign supreme for years to come, or is a bump in the road coming in Year Three?

The Auckland boys (correctly) have been partying long and hard since the final whistle, even taking the toilet seat trophy on a Monday boat ride after the Sunday downtown parade. The Subs reminisce about the days they could party hard, asking 'how hard is the hardest you partied?' One of the Subs nearly died on a 5-day trip to Tenerife! You've gotta get sleep when and where you can!

And a thought for our other kiwi team, the Wellington Phoenix. Deep down, what will they have thought of AFC's triumph... and how will they use it as motivation to do better next season?

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Kiwis will be scouring the web for Auckland FC vs Sydney FC tickets this week and Go Media Stadium Mt Smart will be packed for the first A-League Grand Final to be played in New Zealand - of course, you can always watch it live on Sky Sport!

To gear up for the action, The Unused Subs are joined by Auckland FC's Director of Football TERRY McFLYNN - a former champion with Sydney FC. It goes without saying that this match will be extra special for Terry and head coach Steve Corica, with their sky blue connections running very deep.

Terry details how the Black Knights got the job done in Adelaide, and how they plan to win at home on Saturday night - they haven't won in 90 minutes at Go Media Stadium since February 28th! Has anyone from the Wellington Phoenix been in touch to say 'well done'?

KOSTA BARBAROUSES joins us from Melbourne Airport as well, and we all know that he is no stranger to A-League Championship success. The All Whites, World Cup-bound striker tells us who wins and why, and be prepared Wellington Phoenix supporters... you might not like what he has to say!

Can Auckland FC win the A-League in New Zealand? Before the match, bar up for the action with The Unused Subs!

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Kiwis talk football too!
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Another gargantuan episode for The Unused Subs as we tackle a phenomenal week in New Zealand's football history - not only has the Wellington Phoenix made the A-League Women's GRAND FINAL, but Auckland FC has the chance to make the men's equivalent. Just think: TWO KIWI TEAMS in the A-League Grand Finals?!

And not only that, but FINN SURMAN of the Portland Timbers takes time out of his busy schedule to talk the FIFA WORLD CUP and his plans for going toe to toe with LIONEL MESSI in the MLS this week!

Phoenix goalkeeper VIC ESSON joins the bench too and relives the magic moment at Porirua Park... nearly 6,000 fans crammed in there to watch history being made.

Then the Subs lads go it alone, and predict what happens when Auckland FC meets Adelaide in the 2nd Leg Semifinal this Friday night. We pose the question: What role will LIAM GILLION play in AFC making their first-ever Grand Final?!

A huge week demands an equally huge episode... we hope you enjoy it!

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Kiwis talk football too!
#football #soccer #newzealand

LIBBY CACACE joins The Unused Subs for the first time, Bev Priestman kindly takes a quick call at Brisbane Airport, two more Wellington Phoenix players take up the 10-Ball Challenge, and of course, there's the Elimination Final...

That sudden death, do or die clash was won by Auckland FC over Melbourne City, 7-6 on penalties - but should we have gone beyond the 90? Goran & Jacob wonder why Daniel Elder in the VAR booth didn't spring into action when Nando Pijnaker was wrestled to the ground as Melbourne City equalized in time added on. Did anyone else see it?!

It's all fish & chip paper now, given AFC prevailed over the reigning champions from the spot! As Steve Corica's side prepares for the first leg semifinal against Adelaide, The Unused Subs talk about some of the standout performances vs City, and Iffy has a message for the haters when it comes to Callan Elliot!

LIBBY CACACE is our big guest today! For the first time since he signed for Wrexham, he tells us kiwis about what life is like in Wales; meeting Hollywood A-Lister Ryan Reynolds, signing for Wrexham (somewhat ironically) while they were in Wellington playing the Phoenix, and how the club juggles football and filming commitments for 'Welcome to Wrexham'. Please note: We recorded this piece with Libby BEFORE Wrexham were ruled out of the Championship Playoffs.

On the topic of Playoffs, Bev Priestman reviews the first leg of the Nix semifinal against Brisbane Roar, and previews this weekend's blockbuster at Porirua Park - if they win the tie, the A-League Women's Grand Final will be the 100th match in Phoenix Women's history... what a milestone match that would be!

And we round things out with Lukas Kelly-Heald and Fin Roa Conchie having a crack at the 10-Ball Challenge. Spoiler alert: Fin gets verrrrrry cranky!

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Kiwis talk football too!
#football #soccer #newzealand

The big question this week: Can Auckland FC still win the A-League? Having stumbled their way through the last 5 games of the regular season, and dropping out of the Top 2 in the process, they face Melbourne City this Saturday for a place in the semifinals.

What changes need to be made to the Starting XI? Should they risk Francis De Vries if he's not ready? Would you leave out Sam Cosgrove in favour of Guillermo May?? So much to consider, and Iffy does it all from the UK - he's so dedicated to the Subs bench, he joins the show well after midnight. What a guy!

Now that the season is officially over for the Wellington Phoenix, we KEEP or CUT their big name players for next season. How many of the imports remain? Will Ifeanyi Eze stay? Can we find a spot for Carlo Armiento? And what about Alex Rufer who is off-contract?

Isaac Hughes and Corban Piper take on the 10-Ball Challenge... can either of them knock Matt Sheridan off of top spot?

And our special guest this week is Lachie Bayliss. Australian born and raised, but NZ-eligible and playing for the All Whites in memory of his kiwi dad. He speaks of the devastation of losing his father and playing for New Zealand to honour his NZ heritage. Lachie also speaks about the Newcastle Jets approach to football, having won the Premiers Plate for the first time ever under Mark Milligan. And we talk cars: Lachie's VW has broken down, so we speculate what might be wrong with it while he waits for a mobile mechanic!

Just another outstanding week on the subs bench!

FOLLOW THE UNUSED SUBS!

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theunusedsubs/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theunusedsubs

Kiwis talk football too!
#football #soccer #newzealand