Canterbury confirm Clapham coup

Clapham’s Player-of-the-Year form in a breakthrough 2009/10 season earned the midfielder a call up to New Zealand’s FIFA World Cup squad and helped fire the Dragons to a place in the league’s grand final.“I think we can do well again,” he says. “We’ve got the bulk of the squad from last year and if we…

The Hamilton team took the silverware home by edging their Auckland rivals 5-4 in an action-packed encounter.Player of the final Olivia Chance, one of six players from Claudelands and eight overall to back-up from the FIFA U-17 World Cup, eventually sealed the dramatic win in the 114th minute, converting a penalty to complete her hat…

Both teams shrugged off heavy underfoot conditions and a testing wind to turn in a sparkling display which produced a handful of goal-scoring opportunities and plenty of excitement for the 5000-strong crowd.The supposed home side found themselves with scant support compared to the massive crowd behind the visiting team.Playing with the wind, Ba took the…

Stanford graduate Riley was drafted 10th overall by FC Gold Pride in January and has been a constant presence at fullback as the San Francisco Bay Area outfit roared to the Regular Season Championship in their sophomore season.Only Brazilian star Marta, named league MVP for the second year running, and Canadian striker Christine Sinclair played…

The match offers the rare chance of an international friendly for the two sides and Waitakere have plenty to play for as it marks the start of their build-up for the new ASB Premiership national competition.Ba will also not be found wanting in the motivation department. They met the West Aucklanders in the 2007 O-League…