Auckland FC keen to take part in proposed OFC Professional League
Auckland FC's disappointment at being unable to compete in next season's AFC Champions League Elite competition may be tempered by the Black Knights' potential participation in next year's proposed OFC Professional League.
A spot in the lucrative AFC Champions League Elite competition usually goes to the winner of the A-League premiership.
However, despite winning the A-League Premier's Plate in their debut season, the Black Knights are ineligible to compete in an Asian Football Confederation competition as they are a club from New Zealand, which is part of the Oceania Football Confederation.
The A-League's Champions League Elite representative next season will therefore be the team that finishes second on the ladder.
With one round of the regular season remaining, four clubs – Melbourne City, Western United, Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne Victory – remain in contention for second spot.
Auckland could yet play a part in determining who finishes second, with the Black Knights meeting Western United – placed third – at Ironbark Fields on Saturday night.
And while the Steve Corica-coached Black Knights have switched their focus to adding the A-League championship to their premiership success by winning next month's finals series, they are also planning for next season in the hope of competing in the OFC Professional League, a planned new eight-team competition set to start in January involving Oceania clubs and potentially also including at least one Australian NPL club.
As is the case with the AFC Champions League Elite, the winner of the OFC Professional League would have the chance to play in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and every four years in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Black Knights chief executive Nick Becker said the club had made a submission to be part of the OFC Professional League and had the support of the Australian Professional Leagues – which runs the A-League – the OFC and New Zealand Football.
'We're just waiting confirmation of whether we're accepted into the league and what the player regulations and all the infrastructures are,' Becker said.
'We don't have full visibility on player regulations on who can and can't compete in it and the number of A-League players we'd be able to field in that competition.
'We'd probably have to have effectively two squads … but we've got a decent-sized squad now, so we'd like to use as many of our own players as possible.
'It would be a good result to be in it to make up for (being unable to play in the AFC Champions League Elite competition).'
Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand's other A-League club, has also made a submission to play in the OFC Professional League, which would conclude with a final in May next year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
Goodwin looks to foot surgery to get World Cup fit
Missing out on the Socceroos' jubilation on qualifying directly for the World Cup is a sore point for star forward Craig Goodwin. But a more pressing soreness is a nerve in his left foot, requiring the Adelaide United talisman to go under the knife in a bid for a full A-League Men season to push his World Cup chances. Despite the injury setback keeping him out of the Socceroos' last two World Cup qualifiers, Goodwin is clear on what's expected if he's to return for the big dance in North America next year. A return to hometown club Adelaide United from Saudi Arabia has also given him added confidence in his ability to catch the eye of Socceroos coach Tony Popovic in the next 12 months. "(Popovic) has made it very clear, it's about playing regularly and playing your best football," Goodwin said. "I think he's shown by picking multiple A-League players it doesn't matter whether you're playing here or playing abroad. "I made the last World Cup playing for Adelaide and had a really good World Cup there and a lot of my best football has come at Adelaide United." Goodwin played a starring role in Australia's Qatar 2022 journey, scoring against France and taking the deflected shot credited as an own goal in the knockout stage against Argentina. However, the Reds forward knows Popovic's expectation for any prospective Socceroo is good long-term club form, something Goodwin is hoping surgery can help him achieve. "The injury I have is a neuroma, an inflamed nerve in my left foot that I've been managing for the last three or four years," Goodwin said on Wednesday. "The cortisones are no longer working so I need to remove the lump and it's a six-week recovery." The disappointing fortunes of Goodwin's relegated Saudi club Al Wehda led the 30-cap Socceroo to explore options both within Saudi Arabia and around the world. Ultimately, it was the appeal of running out again for his hometown team that drew Goodwin back to South Australia where he'll continue to push his Socceroos credentials under new Adelaide boss Airton Andrioli. "It was a little bit of the decision of OK, I'm 33, I don't see myself retiring any time soon," Goodwin said. "I had two really good seasons (in Saudi Arabia) individually, and that translated into national team call ups and being consistent on the national stage. "But going forward, it's about being where I feel the most passion for and I believe that's going to get the most out of my football." Missing out on the Socceroos' jubilation on qualifying directly for the World Cup is a sore point for star forward Craig Goodwin. But a more pressing soreness is a nerve in his left foot, requiring the Adelaide United talisman to go under the knife in a bid for a full A-League Men season to push his World Cup chances. Despite the injury setback keeping him out of the Socceroos' last two World Cup qualifiers, Goodwin is clear on what's expected if he's to return for the big dance in North America next year. A return to hometown club Adelaide United from Saudi Arabia has also given him added confidence in his ability to catch the eye of Socceroos coach Tony Popovic in the next 12 months. "(Popovic) has made it very clear, it's about playing regularly and playing your best football," Goodwin said. "I think he's shown by picking multiple A-League players it doesn't matter whether you're playing here or playing abroad. "I made the last World Cup playing for Adelaide and had a really good World Cup there and a lot of my best football has come at Adelaide United." Goodwin played a starring role in Australia's Qatar 2022 journey, scoring against France and taking the deflected shot credited as an own goal in the knockout stage against Argentina. However, the Reds forward knows Popovic's expectation for any prospective Socceroo is good long-term club form, something Goodwin is hoping surgery can help him achieve. "The injury I have is a neuroma, an inflamed nerve in my left foot that I've been managing for the last three or four years," Goodwin said on Wednesday. "The cortisones are no longer working so I need to remove the lump and it's a six-week recovery." The disappointing fortunes of Goodwin's relegated Saudi club Al Wehda led the 30-cap Socceroo to explore options both within Saudi Arabia and around the world. Ultimately, it was the appeal of running out again for his hometown team that drew Goodwin back to South Australia where he'll continue to push his Socceroos credentials under new Adelaide boss Airton Andrioli. "It was a little bit of the decision of OK, I'm 33, I don't see myself retiring any time soon," Goodwin said. "I had two really good seasons (in Saudi Arabia) individually, and that translated into national team call ups and being consistent on the national stage. "But going forward, it's about being where I feel the most passion for and I believe that's going to get the most out of my football." Missing out on the Socceroos' jubilation on qualifying directly for the World Cup is a sore point for star forward Craig Goodwin. But a more pressing soreness is a nerve in his left foot, requiring the Adelaide United talisman to go under the knife in a bid for a full A-League Men season to push his World Cup chances. Despite the injury setback keeping him out of the Socceroos' last two World Cup qualifiers, Goodwin is clear on what's expected if he's to return for the big dance in North America next year. A return to hometown club Adelaide United from Saudi Arabia has also given him added confidence in his ability to catch the eye of Socceroos coach Tony Popovic in the next 12 months. "(Popovic) has made it very clear, it's about playing regularly and playing your best football," Goodwin said. "I think he's shown by picking multiple A-League players it doesn't matter whether you're playing here or playing abroad. "I made the last World Cup playing for Adelaide and had a really good World Cup there and a lot of my best football has come at Adelaide United." Goodwin played a starring role in Australia's Qatar 2022 journey, scoring against France and taking the deflected shot credited as an own goal in the knockout stage against Argentina. However, the Reds forward knows Popovic's expectation for any prospective Socceroo is good long-term club form, something Goodwin is hoping surgery can help him achieve. "The injury I have is a neuroma, an inflamed nerve in my left foot that I've been managing for the last three or four years," Goodwin said on Wednesday. "The cortisones are no longer working so I need to remove the lump and it's a six-week recovery." The disappointing fortunes of Goodwin's relegated Saudi club Al Wehda led the 30-cap Socceroo to explore options both within Saudi Arabia and around the world. Ultimately, it was the appeal of running out again for his hometown team that drew Goodwin back to South Australia where he'll continue to push his Socceroos credentials under new Adelaide boss Airton Andrioli. "It was a little bit of the decision of OK, I'm 33, I don't see myself retiring any time soon," Goodwin said. "I had two really good seasons (in Saudi Arabia) individually, and that translated into national team call ups and being consistent on the national stage. "But going forward, it's about being where I feel the most passion for and I believe that's going to get the most out of my football."
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Perth Now
Title-winning coach joins Matildas staff
New Matildas boss Joe Montemurro has added A-League women's championship-winning mentor Emily Husband to his coaching staff. Having led Central Coast to the 2024-25 title, Husband has parted ways with the Mariners to become a full-time assistant coach with the Matildas. She will reunite with Montemurro, with the pair having worked together in guiding the fortunes of the A-League All-Star women's team last year. 'Joe is someone I've always had enormous respect for, not just for his football brain, but for the way he leads,' Husband said. 'We've had the chance to work together before, and I'm genuinely thrilled to build on that now as we hopefully play a part in guiding the Matildas to reach greater heights.' 'To be trusted with the chance to contribute, even in a small way, to the Matildas and their future is an absolute privilege.' Emily Husband has joined the Matildas coaching staff. Supplied/White Line Credit: News Corp Australia Montemurro, whose appointment as Matildas coach was confirmed last week, said Husband was an 'astute, modern coach' who had 'proven her quality at the domestic level'. 'Her work with the Central Coast Mariners has been phenomenal and demonstrates the qualities she will bring to the Matildas,' Montemurro said. 'Emily has a deep understanding of the game, an ability to connect with players, and a fresh perspective that will be invaluable to our set-up. 'I'm looking forward to working closely with her once again.' Montemurro's first game in charge of the Matildas will be against Slovenia on June 26 at Perth's HBF Park. The teams will meet again at the same venue in June 29. The Matildas will then remain in Western Australia for matches against Panama on July 5 (Hands Oval, Bunbury) and July 8 (HBF Park).
West Australian
3 days ago
- West Australian
Emily Husband becomes part of new Matildas boss Joe Montemurro's coaching staff
New Matildas boss Joe Montemurro has added A-League women's championship-winning mentor Emily Husband to his coaching staff. Having led Central Coast to the 2024-25 title, Husband has parted ways with the Mariners to become a full-time assistant coach with the Matildas. She will reunite with Montemurro, with the pair having worked together in guiding the fortunes of the A-League All-Star women's team last year. 'Joe is someone I've always had enormous respect for, not just for his football brain, but for the way he leads,' Husband said. 'We've had the chance to work together before, and I'm genuinely thrilled to build on that now as we hopefully play a part in guiding the Matildas to reach greater heights.' 'To be trusted with the chance to contribute, even in a small way, to the Matildas and their future is an absolute privilege.' Montemurro, whose appointment as Matildas coach was confirmed last week, said Husband was an 'astute, modern coach' who had 'proven her quality at the domestic level'. 'Her work with the Central Coast Mariners has been phenomenal and demonstrates the qualities she will bring to the Matildas,' Montemurro said. 'Emily has a deep understanding of the game, an ability to connect with players, and a fresh perspective that will be invaluable to our set-up. 'I'm looking forward to working closely with her once again.' Montemurro's first game in charge of the Matildas will be against Slovenia on June 26 at Perth's HBF Park. The teams will meet again at the same venue in June 29. The Matildas will then remain in Western Australia for matches against Panama on July 5 (Hands Oval, Bunbury) and July 8 (HBF Park).
