The Wellington Phoenix expect a decision from New Zealand Football today over the availability of five All Whites for Saturday's A-League clash in Christchurch.
All Whites striker Kosta Barbarouses predicts it will be business as usual for the Melbourne Victory despite an anticipated coaching change installing abrasive former Socceroos defender Kevin Muscat as Ange Postecoglou's successor at the A-League powerhouse.
Plotlines abound as Ernie Merrick and Carlos Hernandez return to Melbourne in enemy colours for the first time tonight.
NEXT weekend Kosta Barbarouses will fly to Mexico with the All Whites hoping to take the Kiwis to a second consecutive World Cup.
The first piece of silverware on offer this season will spend the summer in the Auckland City trophy cabinet after the Navy Blues got the better of Waitakere United 4-1 in an enthralling ASB Charity Cup final at Fred Taylor Park this afternoon.
The All Whites have been given a leg-up in their bid to reach consecutive World Cups, with Mexico's new coach snubbing his European stars for this month's playoffs.
Although New Zealand Football Chairman Frank Van Hattum' comments raised some eyebrows this week, qualifying for the World Cup through Asia has been the traditional route for Oceania teams.
Call it Home and Away - the Wellington Phoenix match against the Melbourne Victory at Etihad Stadium tomorrow features storylines worthy of a soap opera. Long-time Victory coach Ernie Merrick will return to his old stomping ground for the first time after being sacked two years ago - and is bringing midfielder Carlos Hernandez, a former Melbourne crowd favourite, with him.
You do wonder at times about the brains trust running New Zealand football. UEFA president Michel Platini's unlikely-to-be-implemented plan to increase the number of teams in the World Cup finals in Russia in 2018 from 32 to 40 includes a provision for the winner of the Oceania group to gain automatic entry to the Cup.
The All Whites have never won on Mexican soil but they at least have a pedigree of solid performances in the country, which will need to be emulated in November.
Ernie Merrick says there's little room for sentimentality as his Wellington Phoenix team tackle Melbourne Victory on familiar territory at Etihad Stadium on Monday.
Cambridge will now host the majority of home matches for the WaiBop United side after a late venue change ahead of the Premiership season.
Football fans have been handed a bonus for Sunday's ASB Charity Cup clash between Waitakere United and Auckland City and subsequent ASB Premiership matches with the announcement of a partnership with SOMMET Sports who will provide delayed coverage of all Waitakere United home games this season.
As challenges go Wellington Phoenix’ visit to Etihad Stadium on Monday night for the round four Hyundai A-League clash with Melbourne Victory is up there with the toughest.
Yes, you read the headline right. Mexico is going with a completely Liga MX-based squad for their home-and-home World Cup qualifying series with New Zealand, with the victor headed to Brazil next June.
After all the disappointment during Jose Manuel de la Torre's time as Mexico coach, a change seems to be happening.
Hannah Wilkinson's happy knack of netting goals against the top team in the world secured the Football Ferns a dramatic draw with the United States yesterday.
In a bid to find a thread of continuity in their developing programme, Napier City Rovers have appointed Bill Robertson their premier soccer coach.
The tenth ASB Premiership season opens with a bang when old foes Waitakere United and Auckland City meet in the ASB Charity Cup Final on 3 November.
An 87th minute Hannah Wilkinson equaliser earned the Football Ferns a dramatic draw against the world number one United States in Columbus, Ohio on Thursday.
The WaiBOP United squad for the 2013/14 ASB Premiership season has been announced after an intensive five-week pre-season campaign.
Alex Rufer was still jet-lagged when he received his Manawatu schools male sportsperson-of-the-year award at Awapuni last night.
Yellow fever is hitting Christchurch - giving residents the perfect opportunity to prove bums on seats will bring more sporting treats.
New Zealand Football could stand to be the major winners from a proposal to expand the FIFA World Cup, including automatic entry for a team from Oceania.
All those Yellow Fever fans who were feeling cold turkey yesterday after the goal-less Wellington Phoenix v Newcastle Jets game on Sunday didn't despair in the long weekend.
The crowd of more than 1000 Yellow Fever fans echoed around McLean Park yesterday afternoon and those asked said they welcome an annual fixture in "tropical" Napier for the Wellington Phoenix.
They came in droves, a sea of yellow and black rolling into McLean Park yesterday, drawing curious glances from motorists and onlookers.
After a loss and a draw to open their season, a win should be next for the Wellington Phoenix.
It's all about goals at McLean Park tomorrow - the Phoenix want a bucketful of them and Newcastle are yet to manage a single one this season.
If you ask the Yellow Fever brigade they'll unequivocally tell you Wellington Phoenix player Jeremy Brockie rocks.
After winning gold at the London Olympics last year, Mexico, without exception, thought the golden age of local football had started.
The common denominator to any meaningful accomplishment in life, it goes without saying, is hard work.
Organisers are still hopeful Hawke's Bay football fans will turn out for the Wellington Phoenix's inaugural match at McLean Park this Sunday.
No points for guessing why two decades ago Michael Fenton named his son, Louis Ferenc Puskas Fenton, after the former Hungarian international.
We are heading for a really tight ASB Premiership season, if New Zealand Football can be believed.