New Zealand youth international Ben Trenberth has taken an important step in his promising career after signing his first professional contract with Wellington Phoenix at just 16 years old. The attacking midfielder has agreed to a three-year deal with the A-League club, with the first two years on scholarship terms, becoming the first student fromContinue reading “From Oceania U-16 champion to professional football: Ben Trenberth signs Wellington Phoenix deal at 16”
Tag Archives: New Zealand Football
Cashmere Technical hit 10 and Auckland United score seven as NZ National League explodes in extraordinary second round
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”
OFC Pro League expands across Pacific for 2027 as Vanuatu joins host circuit and Solomon Islands land the final
The OFC Pro League will look considerably different in its second season. The full 2027 calendar has been released with a wider geographical footprint, a first opportunity for Vanuatu to stage league matches, the decisive stages moved to Solomon Islands and, perhaps most significantly, a completely reworked route from the regular season to the championshipContinue reading “OFC Pro League expands across Pacific for 2027 as Vanuatu joins host circuit and Solomon Islands land the final”
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”
