If you were to conduct a straw poll on the Stretford End, the current United captain would come a distant second to Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Wellington Phoenix produced a sparkling attacking display tonight to defeat the table-topping Brisbane Roar.

A lengthy and costly appeals process may be far from over - but New Zealand Football is adamant the ordeal has seen time and money well spent.

Fielding an ineligible player has cost All Whites a place at next year's Olympic tournament.

Celta Vigo forward Manuel "Nolito" Agudo scored in the 90th minute to snatch a 2-1 win.

Striker Shane Smeltz sorry for clash that left goalkeeper needing surgery but says he won't change his game.

Vince Lia's first goal in more than four season saw the Wellington Phoenix pip Perth at the death.

Newcastle goalkeeper Mark Birighitti was taken to hospital for emergency surgery after taking a boot to the face from Shane Smeltz.

"Fifa had granted New Zealand the tournament - and put considerable resources into it - and were disappointed in how they were treated by some NZF officials,"

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark would be an ideal candidate to head reform of Fifa, a prominent whistle-blower says.

The Phoenix fell to an agonising defeat against the Newcastle Jets in their first game of the new A-League campaign.

The 27-year-old has played under more managers than he can remember, and the realities of large professional squads in Europe mean Jeffrey Sarpong has spent as much time on the bench as the field.

Losing the league's top player would be a blow for any club but Ernie Merrick reckons he's about to kick off the new season with his best Phoenix squad.

Melbourne Victory won't be afraid to reach for the stars as they prepare to kick off their A-League title defence.

WATCH: Match in Brazil turns ugly as referee explodes in anger after assault by player.

If there was an indicator of it being business as usual at Manchester United after returning to the top of the English Premier League for the first time in 2 years, the lack of fanfare said it....

Two months after overseeing one of the most costly administrative errors in New Zealand sport, NZF's High Performance Director Fred de Jong has resigned.

The Fifa scandal has engulfed Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini with Swiss prosecutors investigating an illegal US$2 million payment from Blatter to the former French midfielder.

Ramon Tribulietx is locked in to guide Auckland City for another season - but agents touting players the Spaniard might want to sign.

The Wellington Phoenix rounded out their A-League preparations with a draw against Auckland City at Westpac Stadium yesterday.