Paul Ifill was in a giving mood on his 34th birthday and now yearns to receive a belated gift from Wellington Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick - a start against Newcastle, in Napier, on Sunday.
A shrewd first-half tactical switch by head coach Ernie Merrick helped the Wellington Phoenix earn a 1-1 draw with last season’s A-League premiers Western Sydney Wanderers at Parramatta Stadium on Sunday evening.
WELLINGTON Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick has praised his side's newfound character after overcoming an early deficit to secure a 1-1 draw with Western Sydney Wanderers at Pirtek Stadium on Sunday.
When Jeremy Brockie is in a Wellington Phoenix shirt, he just can't stop scoring goals.
A committed Wellington Phoenix collected their first A-League competition point under new coach Ernie Merrick as the rank outsiders secured a deserved 1-1 draw with championship contenders Western Sydney Wanderers in Sydney today.
OPINION: Mexico in the World Cup playoffs is something to embrace, not fear. I'm certain that, for our players, it represents a big opportunity.
Bold predictions are even more resounding when you don't expect to hear them.
The age-old catch-phrase of "player payments" has taken on a whole new meaning in football in recent weeks.
The Azteca Stadium has witnessed some of the biggest moments in World Cup history and it's in this imposing arena the All Whites hope they can keep their World Cup dreams alive.
The All Whites are likely to retain six starters from their last match at the 2010 World Cup when they face Mexico in the first leg of their November playoff to make it to Brazil.
Goalkeeper Glen Moss is feeling confident about the All Whites' defensive structure going into the vital World Cup playoff series against Mexico.
The All Whites' hopes of making the World Cup finals may have got brighter with Mexican star Javier Hernandez suspended for the first leg of next month's playoff series.
The New Zealand international is expected to be in the team to face Mexico in next month's home-and-away playoff for a spot in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
New Zealand may have missed out on the knockout stages at the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, but no one can deny that the All Whites left their mark on the tournament - particularly since they didn't lose a single match.
APNZ football writer Michael Brown, Herald columnist Sam Malcolmson and nzherald.co.nz's Steven Holloway look at the All Whites' chances in next month's World Cup playoff against Mexico.
Youngsters the world over dream of becoming a professional footballer and today Auckland 17-year-old Matthew Ridenton is living that dream.
It was considered unthinkable six months ago but the All Whites will take on Mexico next month for a spot at next year's World Cup in Brazil.
Teenager defender Bill Tuiloma's performance on debut has earned him a place in the All Whites' squad for the World Cup playoffs.
All Whites coach Ricki Herbert is planning another spying mission on Mexico before playing the world's 21st-ranked nation in the World Cup playoff next month.
Mexico sneaked into fourth place in the final CONCACAF group to play New Zealand in the FIFA 2014 World Cup Intercontinental two-legged Playoff in November
The Young All Whites begin their FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE campaign with coach Darren Bazeley in confident mood ahead of their opening clash with Uruguay
The parallels are noteworthy.
Defender Tommy Smith reckons the All Whites will get a torrid workout from Trinidad and Tobago today because the Soca Warriors will be hellbent on winning for a seriously ill team-mate.
The All Whites will face a Trinidad and Tobago team determined to honour a stricken team-mate who had a leg amputated after a massive heart attack in Europe.
Wellington Phoenix football fans were left fuming outside the gates of Westpac Stadium when their brand new season passes wouldn't work.
NEW ZEALAND football team were set to arrive in Trinidad from the United States last evening, ahead of tomorrow’s friendly international against Trinidad and Tobago at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
Ricki Herbert is hopeful goalkeeper Glen Moss midfielder Leo Bertos will be back for the All Whites' final international before the World Cup playoffs.
Ben Sigmund lay dejected on the Westpac Stadium turf after yesterday's heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Brisbane Roar.
Though it seems Ricki Herbert has taken almost every All White from the past five years to their training camp, only three or four starting spots are up for grabs for the November World Cup play-off in Central America.
OPINION: Another week, another embarrassment for New Zealand Football.
Mexico are almost certain to be the All Whites' World Cup playoff opponent next month following their 2-1 win over Panama yesterday.
After an 18-week pre-season it is no wonder that the Wellington Phoenix players can’t wait to walk out on to Westpac Stadium alongside Brisbane Roar on Sunday afternoon.
It is cruel that for all their off-season toil, the Wellington Phoenix will start their road to redemption with a severely weakened side tomorrow.
The Phoenix have pinned their hopes on former A-League MVP Carlos Hernandez this season. The Costa Rican playmaker chats with Sam Worthington about his move to Wellington
Carlos Hernandez is the type of player the Wellington Phoenix have missed in the past few years.