A former Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper joining bitter rivals Auckland FC is a story fans have read before.
Auckland FC has announced it had signed the former Nix, Perth Glory, and current All Whites keeper Oli Sail.
The 29-year-old, who spent nine seasons in the capital, has returned to New Zealand from Perth in the wake of Alex Paulsen’s departure to Bournemouth. The news of Paulsen's signing with Auckland FC sparked controversy last year, having been in goal for the Phoenix during their best season in 23/24.
“Sounds like a familiar script, doesn’t it?” Oil Sail said on Breakfast this morning.
However, he felt the move to Auckland was more of a homecoming than a betrayal of his old club.
“I’m very excited. This is where my friends and family are from. When I left to pursue professional football [playing in Auckland] wasn’t a possibility, so it’s kind of like a full circle moment.”
The goalkeeper admitted he had already copped some backlash online.
“There’ve been a few comments on the social media posts that weren’t too friendly, possibly from further south in the country, but that’s ok,” he said.
“The whole buzz around the city from last season through the development of that Auckland team was something I wanted to be a part of.”
Sail this morning was named in the All Whites squad to take on Australia in next month’s Soccer Ashes series.
All White back in the fold after a six-year absence
The squad to take on the Socceroos was mainly composed of regular faces, including Chris Wood, Liberato Cacace, Sarpreet Singh, Marko Stamenić, and Kosta Barbarouses. The most notable inclusion, however, was Ryan Thomas.
The midfielder is returning to the fold six years after last playing for the national side.
“Ryan’s a top player, I’ve kept in touch with him over the last few years,” coach Darren Bazeley said.
“He’s never ruled out a return, but he’s obviously been dogged by injuries.
“He’s had a good six months, had a good pre-season, started the season, captain at his club.”
His teammate Sail was excited to see the PEC Zwolle player back in white.
“I was involved when Ryan was probably last involved,” Sail says.
“It seems like an eternity since then. To be able to call on a player of that quality for these big games is massive for us.”
Full All Whites squad:
Kosta Barbarouses (69 caps/9 goals) Western Sydney Wanderers, Australia
Joe Bell (26/1) Viking FK, Norway
Tyler Bindon (17/3) Sheffield United, England (on loan from Nottingham Forest)
Michael Boxall (57/1) Minnesota United, USA
Liberato Cacace (35/1) Wrexham AFC, Wales
Max Crocombe (17/0) Millwall, England
Francis De Vries (11/1) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Callan Elliot (5/0) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Elijah Just (36/8) Motherwell, Scotland
Callum McCowatt (24/4) Silkeborg IF, Denmark
James McGarry (1/0) Brisbane Roar, Australia
Ben Old (14/1) AS Saint Etienne, France
Alex Paulsen (3/0) AFC Bournemouth, England
Tim Payne (43/3) Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Jesse Randall (4/1) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Logan Rogerson (15/2) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Alex Rufer (21/0) Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Oli Sail (9/0) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Sarpreet Singh (20/3) FK TSC Bačka Topola, Serbia
Marko Stamenić (31/3) Nottingham Forest, England
Finn Surman (9/1) Portland Timbers, USA
Ryan Thomas (19/3) PEC Zwolle, Netherlands
Chris Wood (84/44) Nottingham Forest, England
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