Defence key for Navy Blues - Fitzgerald

Words: ACFC Media

Wednesday 7 December 2016

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YOKOHAMA, Japan - Three-times All Whites international Michael Fitzgerald says Auckland City FC has a tough task ahead of them when they face Kashima Antlers in the FIFA Club World Cup playoff on Thursday.

Fitzgerald dropped in to pay a visit to former international team-mate Ivan Vicelich and run the rule over the Oceania champions and their chances of causing what would be a major upset should they overturn Kashima.

He believes the Navy Blues have a chance if they can keep the J.League champions scoreless in the first half.

"Its good to be at Auckland City FC training and to see some familiar and new faces in the group. I made my international debut against China in 2011 alongside Marco Rojas and Ivan Vicelich also played that night.

"Kashima are the champions and they beat Urawa Red Diamonds only a couple of days ago. They're a very physical team and they like to press aggressively.

"They've got some very good defenders and they'll be a hard team to break down but if Auckland City FC do not concede in the first half they've got a good chance," he said.

Kashima Antlers finished third in the J.League behind Urawa and Kawasaki Frontale and endured a rollercoaster season losing four matches in a row at one point while their coach also took a mid-season break on stress leave.

Fitzgerald says its difficult put a finger on precisely what made Kashima Antlers overcome a 20-point deficit to eventually take out the title.

"Even the team that finished second, Kawasaki Frontale, played the best football in the J.League this season but fell away.

"When it comes to the big games Kashima just seems to have a knack for winning. I'm not sure why that is but they're a very strong team," he said.

Fitzgerald was capped by former All Whites coach Ricki Herbert five years ago in matches with China and Mexico but has since dropped out of contention for New Zealand honours having taken Japanese citizenship to play in the J.League.

Now 28 years old, the talented central defender still plies his trade in the J.League, one of Asia's toughest football competitions.

The Tokoroa-born footballer has married a local and they recently had their first child making Fitzgerald's decision to retain Japanese citizenship understandable.

Despite the pragmatic decision he remains hopeful of one day pulling on an All Whites jersey for a fourth time.

"I'm currently a Japanese citizen but if I play for New Zealand I risk giving up my citizenship which allows me right now to play in the J.League as a Japanese player.

"Its been a very difficult four or five years since I made this decision and its been very difficult to watch New Zealand compete in international competitions.

"I would really love to be a part of that but I have my family to take into consideration but one day I would really love to play for New Zealand again," he said.

Fitzgerald retains a connection with the All Whites remaining in close contact with Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi through their links with the Wynrs programme run by Wynton Rufer.

Hudson-Wihongi damaged his anterior cruciate ligament at training two weeks ago and hasn't made the trip to Japan.

AUDIO - Michael Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald is a big admirer of the 21-year-old and had some wisdom to impart as Hudson-Wihongi slowly begins rebuilding his fitness.

"It was a bit of a shock to hear about Te Atawhai's injury.

"I read about his injury on Facebook but I told Te Atawhai not to rush his recovery and just let the knee heal properly.

"The FIFA Confederations Cup is coming up but I said to him 'if its meant to be, it will be'.

"He's still young and he'll be a good player.

"This is an opportunity for him to reflect on himself and watch from the game from the outside.

"You can pick up a whole lot of different things about the game from that vantage point and I think that will be good objective for him," he said.

Fitzgerald remains an enigmatic figure, tantalisingly out of reach for the All Whites and New Zealand football but his honesty, openness and commitment to his family is impossible to criticise.

He heads back to New Zealand for the summer and its obvious the country remains a strong part of his identity.

"I'm looking forward to going home for the festive break, it'll be the first time in two years. I didn't get to home last year because of complications over my contract.

"We leave for New Zealand today so unfortunately I won't be able to get to the game like I did last year but I'm looking forward to seeing friends and family."

The FIFA Club World Cup playoff between Auckland City FC and Kashima Antlers kicks off at 7.30pm local time at Yokohama International Stadium on Thursday 8 December.

The winners faces a quarter-final showdown with African champions Mamelodi Sundowns in Osaka three days later.

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Extra Information

Match Details
FIFA Club World Cup Playoff
Thursday 8 December, 2016
Kashima Antlers v Auckland City FC
Yokohama International Stadium, Japan
Kick-off: 7.30pm local time/ 11.30pm NZST
Live Sky Sports 2

Auckland City FC Clubrooms
Auckland City FC clubrooms are open for the match from 11.00pm on Thursday 8 December, 2016. Entry to the venue is free of charge.

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