The Unused Subs

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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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!

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It's all happening in this week's episode of The Unused Subs! Iffy is at Sydney Airport awaiting a flight to London, Jacob frantically drives from NZCIS to Wellington to join the call, while Goran is in the company of the returning OLI SAIL at Tyler St Sport... and for the first time on the bench it's former Premier League goalkeeper JONATHAN GOULD!

First things first: what's happening with Auckland FC? They lost at home to Central Coast Mariners, and with that defeat they relinquish their grasp on the A-League's Premiers Plate. Gouldy and Oli explain what the problems have been lately, and how they will address those issues in an all-important clash with Sydney FC this Sunday. Win and they're straight into the semifinals!

Gouldy tells us about his experiences with Coventry City in the Premier League, including a man of the match performance in his debut against Liverpool! His best moments, his worst injuries... And what happened in the tunnel before his Scotland played the might of Brazil in the FIFA World Cup of 1998?

Elsewhere we test the brand new McDonald's Pickle Juice! Does it go down smooth? And ALEX RUFER is our man to step up to the 10 Ball Challenge... great expectations on the Wellington Phoenix skipper!

Would 'limb lengthening' have made Jacob a better goalie? And finally... is Jonathan Gould ACTUALLY Oli Sail's dad??

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#football #soccer #newzealand

In January 2025, Goran & Jacob started The Unused Subs as a way to tell kiwi football stories - the ones from the pitch, the ones behind the scenes, and highlight the people and personalities playing the beautiful game at the highest levels representing New Zealand. Somehow, some way, we have got to 50 episodes - so cheers for being part of the journey! Along the way we've gathered up a Paul Ifill as well, and so the three of us would like to say how much we appreciate the viewership and support. Cheers!

So when you turn 50, what do you do? You bring in not one, not two, but THREE FOOTBALL FERNS to celebrate! Katie Kitching, Hannah Blake and Deven Jackson are in Auckland for the OFC World Cup Qualifying Final against PNG, and between trainings and meetings they answered our calls. We chat to them about the possibility of going to Brazil for the FIFA Women's World Cup next year, memories of 2023 in our own backyard, what one of them thinks of the Wellington Phoenix, the anthem in Katie's cupboard, and we put them all through the unofficial Football Ferns quiz!

Iffy debuts a new segment: THE 10 BALL CHALLENGE. Our first contestants are Bill Tuiloma and Matt Sheridan of the Nix. Iffy is on the Gold Coast so misses out on the Ferns discussion, but with his help Goran & Jacob cover off the big news in Kiwi football, including CHRIS WOOD'S RETURN TO FOREST! And just asking for a fiend... how do you say the new kid's name at Auckland FC?

Happy 50 not out to The Unused Subs!

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Kiwis talk football too!
#football #soccer #newzealand

This week, we are graced by not one but TWO ALL WHITES: Marko Stamenić and Alex Paulsen! Goran & Jacob ventured into the team hotel while the squad was in Auckland, and burgled a little bit of time with each of them. A massive thanks to NZF and McDonald’s for making it all possible! We hope you all enjoy the results.

Marko tells us about life with Swansea in the EFL Championship, including his recent interactions with the iconic Snoop Dogg! Did you know Snoop tried talking tactics with the team?!

Alex has spent the season in Poland with Lechia Gdansk, and what he's experienced is unlike anything he has before. But we shouldn't be surprised that as soon as he turned up, his club's fortunes turned around! He chats to us about climbing the league ladder, and the danger of trying to speak Polish!

Iffy reveals his All Whites Starting XI for the World Cup! Tell us what you think in the comments! We talk the Wellington Phoenix winning 3 in a row, that Hiroki Sakai tackle, and just who are the biggest ball strikers, the heaviest hitters, in world football?

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Kiwis talk football too!
#football #soccer #newzealand