In contrast to the Herald article mentioned above here is a really good piece by Michael Burgess -
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c...
Well written and obviously actually watched the match.
AkCity FC At The FIFA World Club Cup
So looks like Auckland city has organized a friendly with japan before the Asian cup
So looks like Auckland city has organized a friendly with japan before the Asian cup
Going to be ironic amongst all this "good for NZ football" chat if their CWC performance means ACFC are more easily able to arrange international friendlies than the all whites!
Edit: Just to be clear this is somewhat tongue in cheek and even if true clearly isn't the fault of ACFC.
So looks like Auckland city has organized a friendly with japan before the Asian cup
Going to be ironic amongst all this "good for NZ football" chat if their CWC performance means ACFC are more easily able to arrange international friendlies than the all whites!
Edit: Just to be clear this is somewhat tongue in cheek and even if true clearly isn't the fault of ACFC.
This friendly was organised months ago.
In contrast to the Herald article mentioned above here is a really good piece by Michael Burgess -
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c...
Well written and obviously actually watched the match.
Burgess always makes an effort - he's used some initiative to interview Kiwi players overseas this year and does his research too.
I like this comment from him at the end of the article:
"It's also a timely reminder for High Performance Sport New Zealand - who continue to ignore men's football because it doesn't meet their criteria while at the same time pouring millions into swimming, triathlon and snowboarding - of the sport's capacity to inspire."
In contrast to the Herald article mentioned above here is a really good piece by Michael Burgess -
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c...
Well written and obviously actually watched the match.
Burgess always makes an effort - he's used some initiative to interview Kiwi players overseas this year and does his research too.
I like this comment from him at the end of the article:
"It's also a timely reminder for High Performance Sport New Zealand - who continue to ignore men's football because it doesn't meet their criteria while at the same time pouring millions into swimming, triathlon and snowboarding - of the sport's capacity to inspire."
Yes - he wrote another piece on Ramon which was also top notch.
how many of the knitting circle are in Morocco?
Lazy headlining by the Herald again this morning, referring to the team as amateurs, which for my mind diminishes the achievements of the team somewhat and implies an element of 'luck' in the results.
I was actually a bit surprised that they went to the CWC with the Trillion Trust branding on their shirts because:
a) I would have thought they could sell the space to a commercial sponsor, and
b) it puts the whole pokie-funding/imports vs locals/amateur vs professional debate front and centre
for those wondering, nix do not get a cut of the CWC money. So you can all chill out. You'd have to assume/hope Wanderers don't either.
Pretty bloody stoked for ACFC. It's an amazing achievement.
It's a shame their fans use it to put the boot into the nix who can't even qualify for the competition. And whose fans are largely supportive of the effort of ACFC (some of whom are fans of both teams).
In contrast to the Herald article mentioned above here is a really good piece by Michael Burgess -
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c...
Well written and obviously actually watched the match.
Burgess always makes an effort - he's used some initiative to interview Kiwi players overseas this year and does his research too.
I like this comment from him at the end of the article:
"It's also a timely reminder for High Performance Sport New Zealand - who continue to ignore men's football because it doesn't meet their criteria while at the same time pouring millions into swimming, triathlon and snowboarding - of the sport's capacity to inspire."
Yes - he wrote another piece on Ramon which was also top notch.
Lazy headlining by the Herald again this morning, referring to the team as amateurs, which for my mind diminishes the achievements of the team somewhat and implies an element of 'luck' in the results.
I was actually a bit surprised that they went to the CWC with the Trillion Trust branding on their shirts because:
a) I would have thought they could sell the space to a commercial sponsor, and
b) it puts the whole pokie-funding/imports vs locals/amateur vs professional debate front and centre
for those wondering, nix do not get a cut of the CWC money. So you can all chill out. You'd have to assume/hope Wanderers don't either.
Pretty bloody stoked for ACFC. It's an amazing achievement.
It's a shame their fans use it to put the boot into the nix who can't even qualify for the competition. And whose fans are largely supportive of the effort of ACFC (some of whom are fans of both teams).
Who are you referring to? Me? Any evidence to back this up?
not everything is about you Ali.
I disagree with you on a number of things, but think you have got better of late and at least make some good posts, without putting the boot in too much.
for those wondering, nix do not get a cut of the CWC money. So you can all chill out. You'd have to assume/hope Wanderers don't either.
Pretty bloody stoked for ACFC. It's an amazing achievement.
It's a shame their fans use it to put the boot into the nix who can't even qualify for the competition. And whose fans are largely supportive of the effort of ACFC (some of whom are fans of both teams).
Who are you referring to? Me? Any evidence to back this up?
for those wondering, nix do not get a cut of the CWC money. So you can all chill out. You'd have to assume/hope Wanderers don't either.
Pretty bloody stoked for ACFC. It's an amazing achievement.
It's a shame their fans use it to put the boot into the nix who can't even qualify for the competition. And whose fans are largely supportive of the effort of ACFC (some of whom are fans of both teams).
Who are you referring to? Me? Any evidence to back this up?
Just asking because I keep seeing this stuff about people having ago at the Phoenix and trolling etc with no evidence to provide backing.
for those wondering, nix do not get a cut of the CWC money. So you can all chill out. You'd have to assume/hope Wanderers don't either.
Pretty bloody stoked for ACFC. It's an amazing achievement.
It's a shame their fans use it to put the boot into the nix who can't even qualify for the competition. And whose fans are largely supportive of the effort of ACFC (some of whom are fans of both teams).
Who are you referring to? Me? Any evidence to back this up?
Just asking because I keep seeing this stuff about people having ago at the Phoenix and trolling etc with no evidence to provide backing.
In terms of backing, there are threads and threads and lots of history on here so not sure if you are being serious or sarcastic on that point.
how many of the knitting circle are in Morocco?
how many of the knitting circle are in Morocco?
So you're not as hard core as you talk up?
how many of the knitting circle are in Morocco?
So you're not as hard core as you talk up?
U wot? I've never admitted to being one of the knitters.
Auckland's next opponents San Lorenzo:
Fifteen league titles, most recently in December 2013 which qualified them for the Copa Libertadores 2014 which they won:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013%E2%80%9314_Argen...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Copa_Libertadore...
Beat Gremio of Brazil in the round of 16, Cruzeiro of Brazil in the quarters, smashed Bolivar of Bolivia 5-1 over two legs in the semi and beat Nacional of Paraguay 2-1 on aggregate in the final.
Their most internationally famous supporters are the Pope (who's from that part of Buenos Aries) and Aragorn (Viggo Mortenson) who grew up in Argentina and has supported them since he was a nipper:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Lorenzo_de_Almagr...
"San Lorenzo gained international recognition in March 2013 with the election of Pope Francis, a supporter of the club.[2][3]The players played with the Pope's photo on their shirts during a league match against Colón de Santa Fe on 16 March 2013.[4] The institution is also known because of the actor Viggo Mortensen, supporter of the team, who spent part of his childhood in Argentina."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viggo_Mortensen
"Mortensen is a fan of football with his favorite players being Argentine star Diego Maradona and Héctor "Bambino" Veira. He has professed a liking of Argentine club San Lorenzo de Almagro,[32] English team Norwich City, Turkish side Besiktas after attending games whilst shooting The Two Faces of January in Turkey,[33] and both the Argentine and Danish national teams. In 1993, Mortensen went to Ireland during a break in shooting to watch Denmark play in a 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification match...
"...He has stated that he was raised speaking English and Spanish and at times feels more comfortable expressing himself in Spanish.[28] He also has some knowledge of Catalan; twice, when receiving a prize in Catalonia, he made a short speech in Catalan.[29]"
Man, Aragorn, will be taking an interest in this game since he's lived in both Argentina and New Zild.
The Pope (San Lorenzo Club Member #88,235):
http://www.sanlorenzo.com.ar/noticia.php?codigo=45
Prominent Players:
Young star striker Angel Correa aged 19 left after the Copa Libertadores win to sign for Atletico Madrid (but has been sidelined by heart problems requiring surgery - starting training only now in la Liga);
Stars remaining are: Mario Yepes (Colombia captain World Cup 2014), Leo Franco (Argentina goalie World Cup 2006), Nestor Ortigoza (current Paraguay international, World Cup 2010).
Squad travelling to Morocco:
http://www.sanlorenzo.com.ar/index.php
Goalkeepers: Sebastián Torrico, Leonardo Franco and Jose Devecchi.
Defenders: Julio Buffarini, Mauro Cetto, Mario Yepes, Walter Kannemann, Emmanuel Mas, Matías Catalan, Fabricio Fontanini and Ramiro Arias.
Midfielders: Nestor Ortigoza, Enzo Kalinski, Juan Ignacio Mercier, Facundo Quignon, Pablo Barrientos, Leandro Romagnoli and Juan Ignacio Cavallaro.
Forwards: Hector Villalba, Gonzalo Veron, Mauro Matos, Martin Cauteruccio and Nicolas Blandi.
Seem to be a side built around a sound defence who don't score a lot of goals. Their best defenders Yepes and Cetto have played mostly in Europe (Cetto in France for Toulouse and Nantes, in Serie A for Palermo; Yepes: see below).
They lacked a prolific goalscorer in winning the Copa Libertadores (unusually for a champion, they didn't have one player in the tournament's top fifteen goalscorers).
The team has lacked a prolific goalscorer in the Argentinian league too:
Forwards' Career goals for San Lorenzo: Veron: seven goals in 32 games; Matos: has only ever scored ten league goals for the club; Villalba - has only ever scored eight league goals for the club; Martin Cauteruccio: eight goals in two seasons; Nicolas Blandi; four goals in two seasons.
Not many Argentina international caps in the team:
#1 goalie Leo Franco has four caps including "on 30 June 2006, Franco replaced injured Roberto Abbondanzieri in the quarter-final clash against hosts Germany, failing to save one single penalty shootout attempt.[8]" The team's most high-profile Argentine aged 37 who spent almost his entire career in la Liga 1997-2014 & has just returned to his homeland (Atletico Madrid, Mallorca, Zaragoza, Galatasaray).
Juan Mercier won three caps in 2010. Captain of the side aged 34.
The team's top goalscorer this current season is midfielder Nestor Ortigoza (six goals in 14 games) and is a current Paraguay international rated by many as one of the best players on the San Lorenzo team. Was in the 2010 World Cup squad vs. the All Whites but didn't play in that game.
Centre-back Mario Yepes is a legend of Colombia: 102 caps, second most in their history; participated in four Copa America finals (winner 2001); During the team's 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, Yepes made 12 appearances as Colombia qualified for its first finals since 1998. In the final qualifying match, Yepes scored both goals in a 2–1 victory against Paraguay.[14]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Yepes
On 14 June 2014, Yepes made his first appearance in a FIFA World Cup finals at the age of 38, captaining Colombia to a 3–0 win over Greece in Belo Horizonte.[19] Yepes is the oldest outfield player at the 2014 World Cup, and the second-oldest overall, after compatriot Faryd Mondragón.[20]
On 19 June 2014, Yepes earned his 100th cap for the Cafeteros in the second group stage match against Côte d'Ivoire, becoming the third Colombian player to reach the milestone after Valderrama and Leonel Álvarez.[21] He led Colombia to its best ever World Cup performance as they reached the quarter-finals for the first time in history, where they lost 2–1 to tournament hosts Brazil.[22]
The first of his six international goals was scored against NZ at the 2003 Confederations Cup:
| Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Final | Competition | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 20 June 2003 | Stade de Gerland, Lyon, France |
 New Zealand
|
2–1 | 3–1 | 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup |
Club career mostly in France and Italy: Nantes, PSG, AC Milan, Chievo, Atalanta
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
San Lorenzo's matches in Morocco have been classified as being of "national importance" since they are representing both Argentina and the whole of South America - hence the authorities have decreed the games must be on free-to-air national TV across the whole country.
The Club World Cup games are also being shown throughout South America on various networks.
Hence Auckland will be watched by the largest audience to ever see a NZ club side - many millions.
^ Nice one (as always) Big P.
"TV3 are proud to announce that as Auckland City's Club World Cup match against St Larenzo of Argentina is a matter of national importance, since they represent both New Zealand and all of the south Pacific, and as John Key has decreed it must be shown on a free-to-air channel, we will be screening it live at 8.30 a.m. Thursday. We apologise to those viewers who will be disconcerted by missing their regular morning programmes."
Confirmed in the news: Aragorn (Viggo Mortenson) is flying in to see San Lorenzo play in the Club World Cup - but is flying in after the semi, confident they will beat Auckland and make the Final.
http://translate.google.co.nz/translate?hl=en&sl=e...
Hey, Viggo, you might end up seeing Auckland play Real in the Final instead, mate!
Also "Australian team Auckland City"? Grrrr....
At least the readers of this Spanish sports website have pulled them up for this in the comments:
321315882 17 horas atrás"Si que volvamos a la escuela primaria y la clase de geografia, alli aprenderemos que la ciudad de Auckland es una ciudad de Nueva Zelanda, no una ciudad de Australia."
It's cool that San Lorenzo players Mario Yepes and Ortigoza have been part of squads that have played the All Whites too.
Yepes, a central defender, scored his first international goal against the All Whites at Confeds Cup 2003 in France (for Colombia).
Ortigoza was on the bench for the 0-0 draw with Paraguay in World Cup 2010: http://int.soccerway.com/matches/2010/06/24/world/...
Lazy headlining by the Herald again this morning, referring to the team as amateurs, which for my mind diminishes the achievements of the team somewhat and implies an element of 'luck' in the results.
You just can't help it can you JV, always nasty digs at ACFC. They are part-timers for heaven's sake, most of the players do have full-time jobs. Because of their fantastic heroics on the field ACFC are putting some $1.4 million back into NZ football (although NZF are trousering a decent slice). It could even double if they win their next game. What other club in NZ has ever done this?
I just hope TW send their sizeable funding from ACFC's prize money wisely because they're going to find out competing properly in the competitive O League is not easy and doesn't come cheap.
You must be hating this JV. I'm just sick of all the talk about the money instead of highlighting the absolute heroics on the field. Now ACFC are the media's darling when in the past TVNZ wouldn't even know where Kiwitea Street is. I'm just loving it and it couldn't happen to a better bunch of players. I'm also overjoyed for Ramon, the best coach in the land by miles.
How the fudge can Aragorn or whatever his name is support a team against Middle Earth?
Mon, 15 Dec 2014 4:54a.m.
Auckland City goalkeeper and LiveSPORT football
correspondent Jacob Spoonley joins the Breakfast of Champions to talk
about his side’s jaw-dropping run through to the semifinals of the FIFA
Club World Cup in Morocco.
http://www.radiolivesport.co.nz/Jacob-Spoonley/tabid/454/articleID/21714/Default.aspx
Mon, 15 Dec 2014 9:56a.m.
Former All White Sam Malcolmson joins Brendan to look at
the Wellington Phoenix’s Eden Park foray and Auckland City’s
giant-killing run at the FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco.
http://www.radiolivesport.co.nz/Sam-Malcomson/tabid/454/articleID/21720/Default.aspx
Well done Auckland City. It would be dream stuff to see them in the final but savor the moment. They have done spectaclary well and deserve all the plaudits coming their way.
Relevant Facebook pages for Auckland City, San Lorenzo, the FIFA Club World Cup Official etc.
for those wanting to take advantage of the rare chance to join in banter while a NZ club competes internationally:
Amusingly, there seem to be as many posts on Auckland City's page wishing Auckland luck from Moroccan supporters as from Kiwis - they seem to be Raja Casblanca supporters happy that Auckland knocked out despised rivals Meghreb Tetouan.
Official Auckland City Facebook (7316 likes):
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Auckland-City-Footb...
Official San Lorenzo FC Facebook: (806,890 likes)
https://www.facebook.com/SanLorenzo
Unofficial San Lorenzo supporters page (9524 likes):
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Club-Atl%C3%A9tico-...
Unofficial San Lorenzo supporters page (7855 likes):
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Club-Atl%C3%A9tico-...
Official FIFA World Club Cup Facebook:
Lazy headlining by the Herald again this morning, referring to the team as amateurs, which for my mind diminishes the achievements of the team somewhat and implies an element of 'luck' in the results.
You just can't help it can you JV, always nasty digs at ACFC. They are part-timers for heaven's sake, most of the players do have full-time jobs. Because of their fantastic heroics on the field ACFC are putting some $1.4 million back into NZ football (although NZF are trousering a decent slice). It could even double if they win their next game. What other club in NZ has ever done this?
I just hope TW send their sizeable funding from ACFC's prize money wisely because they're going to find out competing properly in the competitive O League is not easy and doesn't come cheap.
You must be hating this JV. I'm just sick of all the talk about the money instead of highlighting the absolute heroics on the field. Now ACFC are the media's darling when in the past TVNZ wouldn't even know where Kiwitea Street is. I'm just loving it and it couldn't happen to a better bunch of players. I'm also overjoyed for Ramon, the best coach in the land by miles.
It's an amateur competition. They are amateurs playing in that so hence get labelled as..... Oddly enough, you backed up the point I was making when you called them part timers. Start calling them professionals and then poker machine funding is jeopardised. There is no digs in that, just you being a cock.
Some great footage of San Lorenzo over the last year: a recently friendly with AC Milan from last month and a one and a half hour film of highlights of San Lorenzo's road to winning the South American Championship (Copa Libertadores).
Lots of "gooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllllllllllll..........." and also fan passion on the terraces.
Note that the club's nickname is "Barca" and they play in the same strip as Barcelona (have for over a hundred years).
That's sure to make Auckland coach Ramon from Catalonia fell at home.
AC Milan Friendly:
Copa Libertadores:
Winning the Argentinian league December last year starts at 8 minutes and then the rest is lots of highlights of San Lorenzo's Copa Libertadores campaign from earlier this year:
for those wondering, nix do not get a cut of the CWC money. So you can all chill out. You'd have to assume/hope Wanderers don't either.
Pretty bloody stoked for ACFC. It's an amazing achievement.
It's a shame their fans use it to put the boot into the nix who can't even qualify for the competition. And whose fans are largely supportive of the effort of ACFC (some of whom are fans of both teams).
for those wondering, nix do not get a cut of the CWC money. So you can all chill out. You'd have to assume/hope Wanderers don't either.
Pretty bloody stoked for ACFC. It's an amazing achievement.
It's a shame their fans use it to put the boot into the nix who can't even qualify for the competition. And whose fans are largely supportive of the effort of ACFC (some of whom are fans of both teams).
Sauce?
Thinking I shall watch at The Pub (on The Terrace) - as it is handy for work. Thursday morning at 8.30 - right??
"Former All Whites captain Steve Sumner is calling on football authorities to promote a game between Auckland City and the Wellington Phoenix A-League team to mark the Auckland club's success at the Club World Cup finals."
Lol at this. The ultimate honour for ACFC won't be playing in the Semis of the CWC, but playing a friendly against the Nix.
...how about the bit where he says it would get more people to it than Saturday's game?
Obviously it's more of a quality game as a home coming for the fans, play the A Phoenix team rather than the B.
I think there is merit to Sumners idea. In terms of turn out, I think being a bit pie in the sky. The only way it would happen I think is massive media push and pretty much all ASBP games in AKL being canned for that weekend. It also needs to have some relevance. Friendlies do not endear themselves to most people because they generally mean nothing.
ASBP and A-league are breaking in January so wouldn't be hard to organise. And I suspect the Phoenix will want some kind of fixture to play in the gap to keep match fitness. Financially, imagne TeeDubs is a more obvious choise though.
ASBP and A-league are breaking in January so wouldn't be hard to organise. And I suspect the Phoenix will want some kind of fixture to play in the gap to keep match fitness. Financially, imagine TeeDubs is a more obvious choice though.
"Former All Whites captain Steve Sumner is calling on football authorities to promote a game between Auckland City and the Wellington Phoenix A-League team to mark the Auckland club's success at the Club World Cup finals."
Lol at this. The ultimate honour for ACFC won't be playing in the Semis of the CWC, but playing a friendly against the Nix.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
ACFC's run is generating some great coverage - especially in The Herald. This piece this morning from Steven Holloway:
Footballing fairytale prompts questions and directive
I absolutely agree with his statement that "we need serious analysis after a huge success" but that's also why I'm finding the narrative of "part-time footballers, who have taken time off from their day jobs" to be a little bit of a stretch. With the number of imports in the squad, and particularly in the starting eleven, it really isn't the reality.
Something else which has been completely ignored in the reporting is the role of The Trillion Trust in this. They have contributed over $1.2m in funding to ACFC in just the last two years. ACFC are a very rich club in NZ terms, although relative to their opponents at the CWC they are poor. But if you really want to understand "the recipe, and whatever the secret herbs and spices may be at Kiwitea St" then you have to acknowledge the role of The Trillion Trust and more broadly, the role of pokie funding in football. ACFC aren't trying to hide the fact - its plastered on the front of their shirts. In the context of NZ Football's recently released Beyond Football High Performance Plan it's the perfect time to be having this conversation.
If you really want to talk about "plucky amateurs taking time away from their day jobs" then the real heroes in this are the ACFC back-room staff and volunteers. That's obviously where the real organisational capability of ACFC lies. Players will come and go but ACFC clearly have some people behind the scenes who know exactly what they are doing (setting aside my personal feelings about the extent of their reliance on pokie money). It's this capability that ACFC should leverage to have a punt at the A-League.
