Latest news with #ChristchurchUnited
ABC News
14-05-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
NZ's Christchurch United partners with Vanuatu Football Federation in a move that could enhance the chances of both to be admitted to the OFC Pro League
The road to professional soccer in the Pacific has seen the Vanuatu Football Federation join forces with New Zealand club, Christchurch United. The formal partnership has been established on the back of discussions with VFF officials, national captain Brian Kaltak, and former national coach, Juliano Schmeling. Those talks began after the earthquake in Port Vila six months ago, when the New Zealand club stepped in and offered to assist in getting football in the capital back on its feet. The hope is the new partnership will boost the bids by both the VFF and Christchurch to secure a place in the OFC Pro League when it kicks off next year, but United's General Manager, Ryan Edwards says the immediate focus is on player and coach development.
Otago Daily Times
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Chch United end Royals' four-game winning run
The Dunedin City Royals were unable to make it five on the trot when they lost 2-0 to Christchurch United at Tahuna Park on Saturday. Christchurch United threatened early in the Southern League clash, but just as the Royals looked to be settling, they were caught napping and Ben Campbell brought down his opponent on the edge of the box. He was red carded in the 17th minute, a pivotal moment in the game. The Royals continued to probe and threaten with attacks that troubled Christchurch United. Daniel Meyn broke the deadlock in the 40th minute for the visitors. The Royals came out of the break strong and continued to frustrate Christchurch United. Replacements Will Turner, Rhys Christie, Luke Salisbury, Max Davidson and Luis Deaker tilted the balance in favour of the Royals, who had multiple attacks — including Turner coming close with a curled shot. They were unlucky to concede with the final kick of the match — Waisea Henry's in the fifth minute of added time, which ensured the visitors remained at the top of the table. Coach Blair Scoullar was disappointed not to walk away with a point, but praised his side's attitude, intensity and resilience after playing nearly 80 minutes with 10 players. Wanaka also suffered to a home defeat, going down 3-2 to Nomads United to lose their unbeaten home run. Wānaka enjoyed most of the possession in the first half and took a deserved 1-0 lead into halftime thanks to Ronan Dillow's 11th minute goal. Nomads equalised when Caleb Cotton scored from a penalty in the 63rd minute, and further goals to Guy Reeves and Cooper Goldsmith gave them a 3-1 lead with five minutes to go. Dillow reduced the deficit in injury time by scoring his second for Wanaka. Cashmere Technical beat Ferrymead Bays 3-2, Selwyn United and Universities of Canterbury had a 2-2 draw and Coastal Spirit won 3-0 against Nelson Suburbs. — In the men's Southern Premier League, both Northern and University continued their unbeaten records. University are top on goal difference after thumping Northern Hearts 9-1. Ashton Hodson opened the scoring on 11 minutes, and it was 3-0 to the students before Bailey Chambers pulled one back just after the half hour mark. Simba Muwunganirwa grabbed a hat-trick, and Blake Allison and Oscar Crowe both scored braces. Sam Clegg rounded out the scoring. Northern had a much tougher task against the previously unbeaten Royals, but prevailed 2-1. After dominating early in wet and windy conditions, Northern found themselves 1-0 down after George Barker buried a penalty in the 16th minute. Toby Orchiston headed home the equaliser in first half stoppage time. The second half continued to be a fierce battle, with both teams sharing possession. Northern created better chances and the Royals looked likely on the counterattack. Northern's winner came in the 60th minute, when Asti Wallace whipped a free kick 30m out from goal into the top corner. Queens Park left it late to record their first win of the season, with two goals in injury time helping to overcome Green Island 3-1. Sebastian Castillo Viveros' eighth minute opener was cancelled out by Harrison Mclean's 60th minute penalty for Green Island. The game look to be heading for a draw until Zac Owen-Gear pounced on a loose ball to rifle an unstoppable shot into the back of the net in the first minute of added time. Ryo Okuyama added another in the 95th minute. Roslyn Wakari recorded a 4-2 victory against Mosgiel. The game was evenly poised 1-1 until the stroke of halftime, when Roslyn's George Holland pounced from close range to make it 2-1. Reese Burtenshaw had earlier levelled for Mosgiel after Hamish Mair's 25th minute opener for Roslyn. Two near identical breakaway goals to Ben William-Davies midway through the second half gave Roslyn a 4-1 lead. Harvey Stevens pulled one back for the home side but Roslyn claimed the three points. — In the women's South Island League, Roslyn captain Amelie East-Giles scored a hattrick to lead her side to a 6-3 win against Halswell United at home. University had a 4-0 win against Coastal Spirit and the Royals had a 2-0 victory against Universities of Canterbury. — Neville Watson
Otago Daily Times
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
From boxing to rugby league - and now the beautiful game
Sports journo Sam Coughlan has been in the boxing ring, trained with champion rugby league team Hornby Panthers and today he reports on his session with Christchurch United. Not that roundball is foreign to him – he is a fairly useful goalkeeper in his own right. Who plays football at seven in the morning? That was my exact thought as I arrived at the United Sports Centre in Yaldhurst with the sky still dark and the birds are yet to start chirping. Pummelled by the Panthers 'Some pretty hefty punches' To make matters worse, I was told we would not be training on the two artificial turfs the club owns. Instead, we head for the dewy, soggy grass fields at the back of the facility, to help the team prepare for their pre-season clash in Blenheim the next day. That came back to bite me. Midway through a quick six-a-side game, I tried to change direction and ended up on my backside. I was more nervous for this session than others I've joined for this series. With other codes, I had no expectations going in, but football's a different story. I've played since I was six, so part of me hoped I could hold my own. Fortunately, I didn't feel totally out of place – even at a club like United, who finished third in the Southern League last year and won it the two seasons before. I leaned on my years of experience to try to keep up. That said, being a goalkeeper hasn't exactly prepared me for the amount of running, passing and shooting outfield players do. Keepers, you know what I mean. It was quick, really quick. One drill had us in a tight space with two defenders trying to win possession from five attackers. I got caught out a few times trying to play the ball under pressure. Later, we moved to shooting drills and with plenty of encouragement from my new teammates, I managed to find the back of the net past goalkeeper Ben Graney on a couple of occasions, exchanging passes with another player before being sent through on goal. It's not something I'm used to. By my calculations, the last outdoor goal I scored was back in primary school. While I didn't quite earn myself a contract offer from head coach Ryan Edwards, I'm confident I didn't completely embarrass myself. Hopefully. But it wasn't all close control and clinical finishing. In a seven-a-side game to finish the session, I found myself one-on-one with the keeper again, only to smash my shot into the crossbar. That's also when I lost my footing on the wet grass trying to turn quickly. Classic. Thankfully for my ego, there didn't seem to be any sense of frustration at my lack of skill, or questions of 'who is this guy?' Just a few smiles and, I suspect, a collective effort to stay in the reporter's good books. Smart lads. Surprisingly, the early start didn't feel so bad by the end of the training session. I had done a solid hour of exercise, and it wasn't even 8.30am yet. Maybe these morning workouts aren't such a terrible idea after all.
