The Orange

Is the Wellington Phoenix season drawing to an end already?

That could well be the only conclusion we can draw after six consecutive draws.

Has Ricky reached a stalemate in terms of options?

Certainly it’s easy to draw comparisons with the other New Zealand A-league franchises and put the spin on the fact that the Nix are the least undefeated of the 10 A-league teams.

But that’s not the point.  Even tho the Nix have picked up six in their last six games, wins are what they need.

Let me draw your attention to one key performance indicator – goals:

• Shane Smeltz (ex-Phoenix striker) – 8 games, 10 goals
• Phoenix – all players, ten games, in 2009-2010 season – 9 goals

Draw your own conclusions.

Later today, the Nix play Smeltz – what odds on one goal each?

Ha … I wonder how many have been suckered into thinking that this is about the Rugger World Cup when it’s actually about the kiss and kick version.

The New Zealand U17 Soccer team has qualified for the World Cup later this year in Nigeria. Lucky sods!  Always wanted to spend some time in Nigeria!

We can only hope it’s an omen for the All Whites (does that make the U17’s the Small Whites?).

The All Whites are just two games away from their dream.

The key difference of course is that the Small Whites only had to beat the Island teams to gain direct entry.

On the other hand, The Big Boys have to first win their way out of Oceania and then take on the fifth ranked Asian team for a ticket to the big dance.

Let’s hope the Small Whites getting to show the groove thing is an omen for the All Whites.

And WTF … Shane Smeltz is now an Australian citizen??????? Yep, the German-born, Aussie-raised Kiwi International is now an Ocker.  Can I tag this as cheating Aussies??

How appropriate that while playing out of Wellywood – Home to Peter Jackson, Weta Workshops et al – Shane Smeltz took home all the gongs for the 2008-2009 A-League!

The GB (greedy bastard) won:

• Player of the Year
• Golden Boot (most goals)
• Goal of the Year

For the benefit of my South American readers, here’s a quick translation of his awards:

• Jugador de ano
• Boot de ora
• GOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here’s a Wellywood production showcasing the Gola de Ano:

And here’s some toss pots collection of the top 10 A-League goals of 2008-2009 (with Smeltz’s ripper only making number 4 – toss pot):

So, congrats to the man who singlehandedly kept the Nix in playoff contention.

If only Weta’s cloning programme was out of beta!