There was no containing anyone's enthusiasm after that.
Look who turned up at Wellington Phoenix training yesterday.
Former Auckland and national under-20 footballer Kayne Vincent has been added to the All Whites squad for their upcoming two-match tour to China and Thailand.
Long-time All White Ivan Vicelich has become the second recipient of Friends of Football’s Medal of Excellence.
If Auckland City are seeking inspiration in Morocco during their Fifa Club World Cup campaign next month, they won't need to look too far.
NO ONE said it's going to be easy, least of all Matthew Gould, but the Hawke's Bay goalkeeper is doing everything he can to realise his football dream.
The contrast could not have been greater - hours after the Western Sydney Wanderers touched down in Sydney to a heroes welcome which marked an unlikely Asian Champions League triumph, their next A-League opponents made an anonymous return to Wellington.
Welcome to the New Zealand national league jumble sale, where reserves are first teamers, amateurs clash with professionals, the regulations are a bit of a lucky dip, and U-20s get in free.
Melbourne Victory defied the loss of key personnel to dent the Wellington Phoenix's impressive start to the A-League season with a deserved 2-0 win at AAMI Park tonight.
Playing against the Victory in Melbourne is a losing formula for the Wellington Phoenix.
HE has lost count of how many times he was approached by Melbourne Victory but tonight Nathan Burns looms as a nemesis.
The Wellington Phoenix could complete a dream start to their A-League season during the next five days.
Maybe it was to do with tonight's opponent - you don't hear Wellington Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick humming Home on the Range to himself at training but, even so, when it comes to talking about the team, "seldom is heard a discouraging word".
The PFA goes 1v1 with Wellington Phoenix forward Nathan Burns to discuss his time in Europe and Asia, the ups and downs of life as a professional footballer and why he is relishing his return to the A-League.
A late penalty was enough to give Team Wellington the bragging rights as they emerged 2-1 victors over cross-town rivals, the Wellington Phoenix during the first round of the ASB Premiership at David Farrington Park on Sunday.
Defending ASB Premiership champions Auckland City FC sit top of the new season standings after seeing off the challenge of Hawke’s Bay United with a 3-2 win at Kiwitea Street on Sunday.
POKERFACED Ernie Merrick has been dubbed boring and uncharismatic on many occasions, but he’s brought sexy back to Wellington Phoenix in just one year.
Phoenix skipper Andrew Durante doesn't believe in hoodoos.
It's great when they do what it says on the tin.
Five-time champions Waitakere United climbed out of a 2-0 hole to win their opening match of the 2014-15 ASB Premiership season on Saturday, claiming a 3-2 victory over Wanderers SC at Fred Taylor Park.
A goal in each half saw Canterbury United open their 2014-15 ASB Premiership campaign with a 2-0 win over WaiBOP United at ASB Football Park in Christchurch on Saturday.
Jeremy Brockie enjoys playing against the Melbourne Victory.
As the ASB Premiership stages its first full round this weekend, TONY SMITH looks at the prospects of each team this season.
Waitakere United skipper Luke Adams is excited about the start of the ASB Premiership season, but playing domestically is not where he really wants to be.
Making the playoffs, and not merely being competitive, is Peter Smith's goal for his WaiBop United side this season.
Several codes such as rugby, cricket and basketball import players to compete at provincial level, so why not football?
Canterbury United skipper Tom Schwarz is calling on his side to create more goal-scoring chances and execute better on attack this summer.
Auckland City captain Ivan Vicelich has welcomed the Wellington Phoenix's inclusion in the ASB Premiership, and believing it will boost the national football league's profile.
For the first time in ASB Premiership history two teams from the Wellington region will face each on Sunday as Exodus Team Wellington and the Wellington Phoenix Premiership team start their season at David Farrington Park.
In Albert they trust.
Melbourne Victory will be sweating on the fitness of star striker Besart Berisha following a nightmare FFA Cup fixture that could result in up to five players ruled out of Monday's A-League clash with Wellington.
Auckland City FC shared eight goals with Hawke's Bay United last time out, but coach Ramon Tribulietx expects a cagier opponent on Sunday.
Centre-half Tommy Smith has explained his decision to return to international football with New Zealand only two months after opting to take a year out to concentrate on domestic football with the Blues.
The Phoenix has announced the signing of three more players for the ASB Premiership squad to add to the eight named 24 hours ago.
Wellington Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick is frustrated at the administration of the ASB Premiership and provisos around who can take the field in the the Phoenix Reserve side.