If the opening weekend of the 2026 New Zealand Men’s National League Championship suggested that the competition could be tight and unpredictable, the second round delivered something completely different. Thirty goals were scored across only five matches, with Cashmere Technical destroying Wellington Phoenix Reserves 10-0, Auckland United putting seven past Napier City Rovers and defendingContinue reading “Cashmere Technical hit 10 and Auckland United score seven as NZ National League explodes in extraordinary second round”
Category Archives: New Zealand
All Whites push Japan hard but fall 2-1 in Kirin Cup final
New Zealand came within 20 minutes of taking one of Asia’s strongest national teams into another tense finish, but Ritsu Doan’s second-half goal gave Japan a 2-1 victory over the All Whites in the Kirin Cup final in Tokyo. Playing in front of more than 60,000 supporters at the National Stadium, Darren Bazeley’s side spentContinue reading “All Whites push Japan hard but fall 2-1 in Kirin Cup final”
Auckland City strengthen attack with Somali international Bilal Habib ahead of National League title defence
Auckland City FC have added international experience to their attacking options with the signing of Somalia international Bilal Habib ahead of the Navy Blues’ 2026 New Zealand National League campaign. The 25-year-old joins Auckland City from NPL Victoria side Green Gully SC and is expected to be available when the defending champions begin their NationalContinue reading “Auckland City strengthen attack with Somali international Bilal Habib ahead of National League title defence”
Kosta Barbarouses joins South Melbourne as All Whites veteran prepares for new chapter in Australia and Oceania
New Zealand international Kosta Barbarouses has joined South Melbourne FC, bringing one of the most experienced careers in Australasian football to a club preparing to compete on several fronts over the coming months. The 36-year-old forward moves to Lakeside Stadium following the end of his spell with Western Sydney Wanderers. Barbarouses spent one season withContinue reading “Kosta Barbarouses joins South Melbourne as All Whites veteran prepares for new chapter in Australia and Oceania”
Paulsen the hero as New Zealand beat Panama on penalties to reach Kirin Cup final
New Zealand booked their place in the Kirin Cup final after overcoming Panama in a penalty shootout in Yokohama, with Alex Paulsen producing the decisive save before Michael Boxall converted the winning kick. The All Whites and Panama finished level at 1-1 after 90 minutes before Darren Bazeley’s side prevailed 5-3 from the spot. PanamaContinue reading “Paulsen the hero as New Zealand beat Panama on penalties to reach Kirin Cup final”
Jack Perniskie takes first senior step in England with MK Dons debut
New Zealand teenager Jack Perniskie has taken the most significant step yet in his move to English football, making his senior debut for MK Dons only a few months after leaving the Wellington Phoenix pathway. The 18-year-old forward was introduced late in MK Dons’ 4-1 EFL Trophy victory over Crawley Town on September 22, earningContinue reading “Jack Perniskie takes first senior step in England with MK Dons debut”
All Whites sweep China aside as Bindon, Waine and Parker-Price strike in Chongqing
New Zealand produced one of their strongest performances of 2026 to defeat China 3-0 in Chongqing, with Tyler Bindon, Ben Waine and Owen Parker-Price all finding the net as the All Whites continued their Asian tour unbeaten. After being held to a 2-2 draw by Palestine in their opening match of the window, Darren Bazeley’sContinue reading “All Whites sweep China aside as Bindon, Waine and Parker-Price strike in Chongqing”
All Whites held by Palestine as three players make New Zealand debuts
New Zealand returned to international action for the first time since the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-2 draw against Palestine in Chongqing, China, in a match that gave Darren Bazeley the opportunity to test the depth of his squad and hand three players their senior international debuts. The All Whites twice took theContinue reading “All Whites held by Palestine as three players make New Zealand debuts”
All Whites goalkeeper Jamie Searle signs for Eastleigh
New Zealand international goalkeeper Jamie Searle has joined English National League club Eastleigh on a short-term deal, giving the All Whites shot-stopper a fresh opportunity in the English game. The 25-year-old has been registered with squad number 20 at the Silverlake Stadium, where he will join fellow goalkeepers Nick Townsend and Josh Jeffries in theContinue reading “All Whites goalkeeper Jamie Searle signs for Eastleigh”
Bill Tuiloma earns All Whites recall after Nando Pijnaker injury
Bill Tuiloma is back with the New Zealand national team, with the experienced defender added to the All Whites squad for the upcoming international window following an injury to Nando Pijnaker. The 31-year-old Wellington Phoenix centre-back had initially been left out of Darren Bazeley’s first squad since the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but Pijnaker’s withdrawalContinue reading “Bill Tuiloma earns All Whites recall after Nando Pijnaker injury”
