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Millichip family soak up Club World Cup atmosphere

Words: ACFC Media

Thursday 8 December 2016

YOKOHAMA, Japan - McDonald's Junior Football Coach of the Year Nic Millichip says he can hardly believe he and his family are at the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2016.

Millichip, named national winner of the McDonald’s Junior Football Coach of the Year competition, took in the Navy Blues official training session at Yokohama International Stadium ahead of tonight's big match with Kashima Antlers.

"Its been pretty good so far. Japan is great the kids have been really excited about it and the flight up was good. They both really enjoyed that and getting here. They've settled down well and they've had a really neat day out today.

"The team have been really welcoming and having dinner with the team last night was pretty cool. Socialising with Auckland City FC has been a very nice experience for all of us," he said.

A Katikati FC volunteer, Millichip admits standing in Yokohama International Stadium, the scene of Brazil's FIFA World Cup final triumph over Germany in 2002, is surreal.

"Not on my life did I ever think I would be here. I never started volunteering in football for that reason at all.

"Who knows how thats happened but its absolutely amazing that it has. I would never have thought that to be honest, I'm just quite pleased that it has," Millichip joked.

Millichip, who mentors the Gunners 10th-grade team for Tauranga-based Katikati, was named as one of seven federation-based regional winners in the McDonald’s Junior Football Coach of the Year competition, which brought an equipment pack to be used for training and games.

Now, with the Club World Cup just hours away from kick-off, he believes Auckland City FC will have a tough night when they face J.League champions Kashima Antlers.

"Its going to be a tough game. They're a decent team to get through the J.League and the way they've played. Its going to be a big game.

"Auckland City FC are no mugs and they're well in it and I've got high hopes they'll win to be honest. Its going to be a hell of a game," he said.

AUDIO - Nic Millichip

Millichip found out he was on his way to the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2016 when Cliff Harris, WaiBOP’s Football Development Coordinator for the Bay of Plenty region, dropped in to training to surprise him with the award.

A former wine-maker by trade, Millichip is used to being patient before realising a rewarding product in his professional life, so he recognises New Zealand Football's processes in the same way at Junior and Youth level.

"I would just like to thank New Zealand Football and McDonald's the effort they put in to make this happen.

"The Junior Framework and the Youth Framework and the whole plan around how coaches are being developed and the way the game is being developed together to progress football in New Zealand is fantastic.

"We've created environments conducive to getting us to the point to where we're getting technically better at the game and this is just phenomenal.

"It bodes well for the future and the investment put into that is incredible. All credit to New Zealand Football for making that possible."

The seven-team FIFA Club World Cup takes place in Japan from December 8 to 18.

Ends

Extra Information

New Zealand Football website available here

Clubrooms Open
Auckland City FC is pleased to announce that its Kiwitea Street-based clubrooms are open for Thursday night's FIFA Club World Cup playoff clash between the Navy Blues and J.League champions Kashima Antlers.

Doors to the clubrooms open at 9.30pm NZST with light refreshments and drinks available on the night. Broadcast of the FIFA Club World Cup playoff begins on Sky Sport 2 from 11pm NZST and entry to the clubrooms is free.

FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2016

Auckland City FC: 1. Enaut Zubikarai (GK), 3. Takuya Iwata, 5. Angel Berlanga (c), 6. Harshae Raniga, 7. Reid Drake, 8. Albert Riera, 9. Darren White, 10. Ryan De Vries, 11. Fabrizio Tavano, 12. Nicolai Berry, 13. Alfie Rogers, 14. Clayton Lewis, 15. Ivan Vicelich, 16. Dae Wook Kim, 17. Joao Moreira, 18. Danyon Drake (GK), 19. Micah Lea'alafa, 20. Emiliano Tade, 21. Harry Edge, 23. Marko Dordevic, 24. Jacob Spoonley (GK), 29. Sean Cooper.

Injured: 4. Mario Bilen (hamstring)

Coach: Ramon Tribulietx