Vicelich delighted for Morocco return

Words: ACFC Media

Saturday 17 December 2022

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - FIFA Legend Ivan Vicelich can't wait to return to Morocco as the FIFA Council confer hosting rights to the African nation for the FIFA Club World Cup.

Morocco's national team surged to the last four of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and Auckland City FC will return to the scene of its greatest moment when it won the bronze medal in a tense penalty shoot out with Cruz Azul eight years ago.

Vicelich, Auckland City FC assistant coach and former All Whites hero, is in Qatar as part of the FIFA Legends programme and shared his excitement at a return to Morocco.

"It's a great feeling to know Auckland City FC will be back in Morocco again. Morocco holds very special memories for our club and while we have positive emotions about this we are realistic to understand that this will be a tough assignment for us.

"Our first trip to Morocco was in 2013 we lost to Raja Casablanca 2-1 thanks to a last minute goal. Raja went all the way to the final and lost to Bayern Munich so we are under no illusions what we are up against.

Quality line up for todays #fifalegendscup pic.twitter.com/CSa3Sx9gFf
— Ivan Vicelich (@IvanVicelich) December 15, 2022

"In 2014, we played four very tough games and deserved our reward in the end. The way the club worked together behind the scenes, how the players worked hard under our then coach Ramon Tribulietx laid out how we could give ourselves a chance its absolutely incredible.

"Whenever I see clips of our time in Morocco it reminds me of what a special time in my career it was. It is the dream of every footballer to win trophies and medals at the highest levels and we did that and it was incredible.

"It's still hard to believe we produced a performance where we were able to pick up a bronze medal at a FIFA tournament eight years ago. For a New Zealand team to be on a podium to earn a medal at a FIFA tournament wasn't heard of up until we did it.

"But now Moroccan football has exploded due to what they achieved in Qatar. It's great to see Morocco do very well. They were very impressive through the whole tournament, the way they approached everything was top class.

"We saw it first hand when we played Moghreb in 2014 - Moroccan footballers have technique, speed and mental toughness - but now they have reached a FIFA World Cup semi-final and they're even better," he said.

FIFA legends Cup happening Thursday and Friday at Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex. All these legends #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/LUt5aVc5AW
— Eric Njiru (@EricNjiiru) December 15, 2022

Auckland City FC's clean sweep of four trophies and a league title were hard won but that local pedigree won't intimidate any potential opponent the Navy Blues could face.

Traditionally, the OFC champions have faced the national champions of the host nation in the first game, but with Wydad Casablanca winning the CAF Champions League, Auckland City FC could instead face the club they debuted against in 2006, Egypt's Al Ahly, who finished runners-up to Wydad.

Real Madrid, Seattle Sounders, and Flamengo are confirmed to participate in what will be one of the last FIFA Club World Cup tournaments to be held in the current format.

From 2025, the FIFA Club World Cup will become a four yearly tournament and feature 32 club sides from around the world.

"We've seen the release of the FIFA Club World Cup Expansion tournament and a FIFA Women's Club World Cup so there is a lot of exciting times ahead for everyone.

"The OFC Professional League is coming as part of that new format and that's going to help grow the game in Oceania in many ways and hopefully see more of our teams compete on the world stage," he said.

For Vicelich, memories of Morocco are as cherished as his achievements on the pitch for New Zealand where he helped guide the All Whites to an undefeated run at the FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010. Now, as a FIFA Legend, he joined some familiar faces in Qatar to help promote football.

"It's been an incredible time at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. It's a privilege to be here with other FIFA Legends and play in a Charity match ahead of the third place match and final in Doha.

FIFA legends Cup highlights today 2022#FIFALegendsCup #FifaLegendsCup2022 #FIFAWorldCup #WorldCup #Messi pic.twitter.com/0aOxT8ITJL
— World Cup 2022 (@MohsenKallala) December 16, 2022

"There are a few familiar faces here as well including Ryan Nelsen, Maia Jackman and Christian Karembeu from Oceania which is awesome for the profile of the game in our region.

"Mixing it with the likes of Kaka, Toti and Del Piero is something special for all of us," he said.

While Vicelich is a proud Kiwi, he's also proud of his Croatian roots and so he had a keen interest in Croatia's run to the semi-finals.

"The Croatia game was difficult for them. They started quite well but once you go one goal behind you've got to try and make the play against a team that's been very strong and has a world class player in Messi who can change the game in a second.

"It'll be interesting to see if Croatia can pick themselves up for the third place match and the bronze medal match with Morocco.

"It's one of those situations where for one or two Croatian players it is their last FIFA World Cup so hopefully they can inspire their team-mates and deliver a great finish for their fans," he said.

And who does Vicelich believe will win the FIFA World Cup on Sunday and be crowned world champions?

"Of course, Argentina and France are both very very good teams. France have incredible depth right through the team and they're strong and quick all over the pitch.

"We saw it against Morocco where they could make changes and the players coming in added new dimensions.

"But Argentina has grown better and better after the loss to Saudi Arabia because it kickstarted their run based on an urgent need to win every game which has been healthy for them.

"They've been very hard to beat, very strong in defence and they have Lionel Messi.

"Messi is still producing world class performances at 35 and he's at a different level to everyone else. It's very difficult to pick a winner but for many their heart will be with Messi and Argentina.

"It will be hard for Messi to finish with a dream result but France are star-studded and it will be an interesting final," Vicelich said.

Ends