All A-League clubs will finally have dugouts in 2015, but Wellington Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick has slammed Football Federation Australia, accusing it of banning their use for years.
Neil Emblen might be just interim coach but he's ushered in a new era for the All Whites with a handful of changes for the side to face Japan in an international in Tokyo next month.
The collateral damage inflicted by the defeat to Mexico in last year's World Cup playoff runs deeper than the 9-3 aggregate scoreline and it was reflected in yesterday's naming of the squad to face Japan in Tokyo next month.
Interim All Whites coach Neil Emblen will consider applying for the job on a permanent basis if he is successful in next month's friendly against Japan.
When it comes to on-field leaders in football, the players wearing the gloves are often overlooked and labelled; too eccentric or too far away from the action to have any impact.
The quiet ascension of an attacking talent from Te Puke was completed on Tuesday when 19-year-old Ryan Thomas was included in the All Whites squad to meet Japan in March.
A New Zealand side with a youthful look will meet 2014 FIFA World Cup-bound Japan after the All Whites squad to face the Samurai Blue in March was named on Tuesday.
Perth Glory chief Tony Sage is confident the club can hang on to prize goalscoring asset Shane Smeltz amid on-going discussions over a new deal for the A-League’s all-time top scorer.
Seven months after playing for Moreton Bay United in Australia's National Premier League the waiting game was finally over when Josh Brindell-South made his debut for the Wellington Phoenix in Newcastle yesterday.
Team Wellington are on track for the national league semifinals after playing out an entertaining 3-3 draw with Canterbury United at David Farrington Park.
The experience of Stein Huysegems and Carlos Hernandez were influential as the Wellington Phoenix pushed into the A-League's top six with a 3-2 win at Newcastle today, though the durability of the club's next generation's was pinpointed by coach Ernie Merrick
The Wellington Phoenix have maintained their rich run of form in the A-League with a pulsating 3-2 win over the Newcastle Jets at Hunter Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The pass master has arrived - and he's set the Phoenix alight.
Up to two English Premier League teams could be coming to these shores in July for matches against the Wellington Phoenix.
The Phoenix are on track to make the play-offs - but will need to achieve some strong results away from home as the A-League reaches a critical stage.
It could be one of football analyst Simon Hill's most astute calls, even if Ernie Merrick initially appeared to be a victim of a classic case of the "commentator's curse".
While Wellington Phoenix midfielder Carlos Hernandez continues to improve on the field this season, there's one thing he did miss out on when he arrived at the club.
It is no coincidence that the Wellington Phoenix's Costa Rican connection started clicking after Christmas.
Vince Lia doesn't like fuss but there's been a bit of it this week.
After Ernie Merrick finished speaking to the media at Wellington Phoenix training at Newtown Park today he joked that he was off to go and shed a few tears.
The Wellington Phoenix have signed Junior All Whites striker Hamish Watson for the remainder of the 2013-14 A-League season.
Wellington Phoenix midfielder Vince Lia is in the best form of his life and the latest Opta statistics released by the FFA confirm how good he has been this season.
Two Wellington Phoenix fixtures in March have been rescheduled.
With 13 points from their last six games, the Wellington Phoenix are the A-League's form team.
Picture this:
If the 16 members of the Wellington Phoenix Football Academy were underwhelmed by its opening yesterday, Ernie Merrick soon put them straight.
Waitakere United continued their season revival by getting one over rivals Auckland City yesterday, winning the Super City derby 1-0 to hand the ASB Premiership leaders their first defeat of the season.
The Phoenix treated Eden Park to some sparkling attacking play on Saturday night but the most memorable moment of the A-League soccer match was a chance that was wasted.
Now that's how you repay a favour.
It will be football, but maybe not as you know it.
The Wellington Phoenix's clash against Adelaide United at Eden Park tonight is one of the few local soccer matches I've looked forward to with genuine excitement in recent times.
After four years in professional football, Wellington Phoenix defender Michael Boxall has found his feet.
Owning an A-League football club is historically not for the faint-hearted. Quite the opposite really. It's for people with plenty of dollars and, some may argue, no sense.
Auckland is set to pass a crucial A-League attendance test today, with at least 13,000 fans expected at Eden Park for the Wellington Phoenix's game against Adelaide United.
The Round 21 clash between Adelaide United and Wellington Phoenix has been changed from Sunday March 2nd to Thursday February 27th - Kick off at 7pm local (9.30pm NZT).