Vicelich cautious ahead of Antlers clash

Words: ACFC Media

Monday 5 December 2016

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Ivan Vicelich knows a thing or two about what it takes to win games at a FIFA Club World Cup.

The 40-year-old former All Whites legend is assistant coach of Auckland City FC after a playing career that left few boxes unticked.

Remembered for his 88 All Whites caps and being part of New Zealand's undefeated run at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa six-and-a-half years ago, Vicelich also won the bronze ball at the Club World Cup in 2014.

Now Vicelich must turn his talents towards Auckland City FC pulling off what would be arguably the biggest upset in New Zealand club football - beat Kashima Antlers, a club with a $100M USD annual turnover.

Kashima come into the FIFA Club World Cup having pulled off a minor upset of their own by overturning a two goal deficit to beat highly fancied Urawa Red Diamonds in the J.League final on Saturday on away goals.

AUDIO - Ivan Vicelich

Vicelich, who now looks comfortable as head coach Ramon Tribulietx's number two, says Kashima played a great game that relied heavily on disrupting the flow of the Urawa game plan.

"It was a very entertaining game. Kashima had to chase the game and that they certainly did. It ended up being very transitional and end to end which is what they wanted.

"Coming away with the win will be very massive achievement for the club and supporters. They've end up playing a very good game," he said.

Auckland City FC have played three Club World Cup playoffs with J.League winners - twice against Sanfrecce Hiroshima and once with Kashiwa Reysol back in 2011.

The Navy Blues have been beaten each time, 2-0 and 1-0 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima and 2-0 to Kashiwa Reysol.

Vicelich believes that while Saturday's final was a scrappy game laden with a high error rate, it was by no means a reliable barometer to gauge how the playoff will play out.

"Its hard to say how that game affects the next. Kashima have gone into that game needing to get goals and they wanted it to be transitional and get a lot of chances on target and put lots of crosses into the box to create those opportunities.

"Coming up against us its going to be a different game. They don't need to chase goals, they're not behind like they were against Urawa Reds.

"It will be interesting to see how they set out their game plan," he said.

Auckland City FC's inability to crack the J.League winners is by no means a disgrace - the challenge to overcome the champion club of one of the biggest professional leagues in Asia is significant given the Stirling Sports Premiership status as an amateur competition.

Vicelich says that despite the gap Auckland City FC have made sure their preparation has been as thorough as possible. A 4-1 win over Hong Kong Rangers was backed up by a 1-1 draw with a physical SC Sagamihara.

"We've had very good preparation. The squad Ramon and the club have put together is very strong and we've worked really hard over the past couple of months.

"Unfortunately there's a couple of injuries in Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi and Mario Bilen that keep key players away from us.

"But the strength in our squad is good and we've got the players who can step up and keep us in that game and give us a chance of getting a result," he said.

The match with Kashima Antlers is set for December 8 at Yokohama International Stadium with the winner moving on to play African champions Mamelodi Sundowns in Osaka three days later.

Ends

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 / 11.30pm NZST