Tade set to break records

Words: ACFC Media

Tuesday 31 January 2023

TANGIER, Morocco - Emiliano Tade is all set to become the only player in world football history to appear at eight FIFA Club World Cup competitions.

Tade, 34, who joined Auckland City FC in 2011, made his FIFA Club World Cup debut against Kashiwa Reysol on 8 December in Toyota City when he replaced Adam Dickinson as a second half substitute in a 20 defeat.

He has since played ten games in the competition, a club record shared with assistant coach Ivan Vicelich, and one behind Al Ahly legend Mohamed Aboutrika who played 11 games, as did Wael Gomaa and Hossam Ashour.

While Tade is poised to make his own bit of personal history, Auckland City FC's tenth appearance in the competition is a new record.

That number could've been even higher had City not been forced to withdraw from the 2020 and 2021 editions due to the global pandemic and failure to receive Managed Isolation and Quaratine (MIQ).

No one has been to more #ClubWC tournaments than Emiliano Tade.

A record-breaking 8th appearance with @AucklandCity_FC at Morocco 2022 incoming...
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) January 27, 2023

Coach Albert Riera said players of Tade's calibre only come along every so often and added that Auckland City FC was lucky to have him.

"Emiliano Tade is a very special player and in football there are no coincidences. For someone like him to achieve what he has achieved is not luck or coincidence, he deserves it thoroughly.

"He works extremely hard off the pitch and I have known him for a long time. When Emi arrived at Auckland City FC in 2011 his evolution as a player has probably been the best I've seen at the club.

"He came to us from Wellington and had to adapt to the Auckland City way. He's the leading scorer of all time for City (145 goals in 222 games) and we're extremely lucky to have him in our squad.

"He has got influence that is impossible to find or coach, you either have it or not, you cannot coach it. It's within yourself. As much as you want to coach that to other players you cannot.

"In big games Tade always turns up which is hard to find. He brings a key difference to the game.

"I'm sure he'll play a key part in the game with Al Ahly. He's the only player in the world to have eight appearances at the Club World Cup and that makes us very proud.

"Tade could've gone to many places but he's chosen to be here. Everyone looks up to him and he's someone I really admire," Riera said.

Ends

THE TADE FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP STORY

FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2011
8 December 2011
v. Kashiwa Reysol (A) lost 0-2
Replaced Adam Dickinson

FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2012
6 December 2012
v. Sanfrecce Hiroshima (A) lost 0-1
Replaced Manel Exposito

FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2013
11 December 2013
v. Raja Casablanca (A) lost 1-2
Replaced Adam Dickinson

FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2014
10 December 2014
v. Moghreb Tetouan (A) drew 0-0*
Started the match

Quarter Final
13 December 2014
v. ES Setif (N) won 1-0
Started the match

Semi Final
17 December 2014
v. San Lorenzo (N) lost 1-2 aet
Started the match

Third Place Playoff
20 December 2014
v. Cruz Azul (N) drew 1-1*
Started the match

FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2015
10 December 2015
v. Sanfrecce Hiroshima (A) lost 0-2
Replaced Mario Bilen

FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2016
8 December 2016
v. Kashima Antlers (A) lost 1-2
Started the match