Tade reflects on century mark

Words: Gordon Watson

Tuesday 6 March 2018

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC's Emiliano Tade opens up on what the club means to him as he becomes the first player in Navy Blue colours to break the 100 goal mark.

Signed from Team Wellington in 2011, the Santiago del Estero-born Tade's story is one of chance, hard work and perserverance.

Fifth-choice striker behind Manel Exposito, Luis Corrales, Daniel Koprivcic and Adam Dickinson, Tade had to be patient for his opportunities in a star-studded line-up, content for a season of substitute appearances.

He always had a knack for a goal when he appeared whether it was for as little as 10 minutes at the end of matches.

Today, reflecting upon his scoring feats in 2018, he can scarecely believe how far he's come over the past eight years.

"It feels great to reach 100 goals. Its a number - its abstract in a lot of ways - you never think you will reach and now to get there is something special.

"You don't think about records when you begin. My goal back when I started at Auckland City FC was to simply get on the pitch.

"I wanted to play and give to the team the best I could. I wanted to bring everything I could to add to the quality that was already there," he said.

Tade had to be content as a bit part player, albeit one who was clearly capable of scoring goals, but when Koprivcic retired, Dickinson moved to first Canterbury United then Waitakere United and Corrales returned to Team Wellington, he saw a ray of light.

Manel Exposito, another Navy Blues goalscoring hero took up an opportunity to coach in Belgium, paving the way for Tade to become a first choice starter.

Tade took out the Players Player of the Year award, Keryn Jordan Memorial Award for Golden Boot and the Supporters' Player of the Year in 2013-14 season as the Navy Blues won every trophy available on the domestic and Oceania stage.

To cap it all off, he won the OFC Champions League Golden Ball for best player and the Golden Boot award in both the OFC Champions League and New Zealand Football Championship.

It was the start of a run that would see him take up a professional contract with Atletico de Mitre before returning to New Zealand to the club he calls home.

"When things started to roll for me I did maybe wonder about how many goals I was scoring over a long period but in summary whats more important is whether the team is winning and as you can see from what we have achieved as a club this is our strength as a group," he said.

His favourite goal of the 101 he has managed in 155 games is easy to pick out. Held to a 1-1 draw by an impressive Amicale in the OFC Champions League Final, first leg, in Port Vila on 10 May 2014, the Navy Blues struggled in the return at Kiwitea Street.

Kenzi Tangis opened the scoring for Amicale just before halftime then Tamati Williams saved a Colin Marshall penalty - had that gone in Auckland City FC would've been 3-1 down on aggregate and with no way of pulling back the away goals advantage.

De Vries levelled midway through the second half but it was Tade's goal with three minutes to go that handed Auckland City FC the lead 3-2 on aggregate.

"The most special goal I ever scored was the one against Amicale in the OFC Champions League final in 2014.

"It came at a time when we were in big trouble because of the way the game was going and it was a cup final on our own pitch. Tama had saved a penalty and who knows what would've happened had that gone differently.

"To score the winner in that match meant everything because if we didn't win that game then we were'nt going to the FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco later that year and everyone knows what happened there," he told www.aucklandcityfc.com

Tade's record is impressive by any measure when you consider the calibre of player he's overtaken to reach the mark but he's quick to point out that he sees football within the context of the team and not as a vehicle for personal glory.

"When people start to mention records it does bring something special and there is a great pleasure attached to reaching these milestones but again if you take your eyes off your objective its unhelpful for the team which is most important of all.

"Auckland City FC has always been very good at attracting top strikers to the club. I remember when Ryan De Vries was top scorer - some years it was Ryan, others Joao (Moreira), or Manel and sometimes it was my turn to be the top scorer.

"Without your team-mates none of these goals are possible and without them pushing you in training and in games you don't reach your best level.

"I've always had an unbelievable time since coming to New Zealand almost 10 years ago. Auckland City FC is, of course, a big part of that experience with a lot of good memories.

"I feel at home with the club, my team-mates especially, this feels familiar to me, like its home and part of who I am."

Ends

Auckland City FC All-Time Top Scorers
1. Emiliano Tade 155 matches, 101 goals
2. Grant Young 128 matches, 66 goals
3. Keryn Jordan 80 matches, 60 goals
4. Paul Urlovic 115 matches, 51 goals
5. Ryan De Vries 111 matches, 49 goals

Auckland City FC All-Time Top Appearances
1. James Pritchett 203 matches, 5 goals
2. Angel Berlanga 180 matches, 6 goals
3. Ivan Vicelich 176 matches, 16 goals
4. Emiliano Tade 155 matches, 101 goals
5. Chad Coombes 151 matches, 26 goals