^ LOL! I believe a previous Indian PM used to do this routinely, as his breakfast delight. The English media thrashed it, when he was a guest of Thatcher and staying in a room near her at Chequers.
AkCity FC At The FIFA World Club Cup
Am I right in thinking that this is the best showing any kiwi team has had against any South American team (club or nation) in a competitve match, not a friendly?
Female teams have done well against South American teams in the past, the Ferns beat Brazil recently in a competitive competition.
Sorry Bullion, was late here in the UK when I posted (half asleep!), I meant men's teams. I was aware of the Ferns result and forgot about the WC bore draw (Paraguay).
Obviously when you say kiwi team you mean men only.
Hudson fancies giving Ryan De Vries a run in the next FIFA window now his citizenship has come through:
http://www.3news.co.nz/sport/de-vries-on-verge-of-...
http://www.aucklandcityfc.com/news/article.asp?ID=...
"Just before I put my list in before the last FIFA window, he had just got his citizenship," said Hudson.
"We hadn't really seen a lot of him, but I've heard great things and after obviously these games, he's definitely someone that we want to get involved."
He's done okay in the World Club Championship but I think his finishing seems pretty average.
(Also based on what I've seen of him in the ASB Premiership)
I'd be happy to sign the Auckland left back. He has looked really solid.
Aside from that no one has stood out too much... not diminishing them as players, just I think their strength has been the way they have worked as a team first and foremost.
Case in point, man for man I'd say Welly has the better back line, but based on current form I'd probably rather have the Auckland back four.
I'd be happy to sign the Auckland left back. He has looked really solid.
Aside from that no one has stood out too much... not diminishing them as players, just I think their strength has been the way they have worked as a team first and foremost.
Case in point, man for man I'd say Welly has the better back line, but based on current form I'd probably rather have the Auckland back four.
Both fullbacks Berlanga (Spain) and Iwata (Japan) have looked decent, as has Dordevic from Serbia who's on loan from a Serbian top flight club.
I'd be happy to sign the Auckland left back. He has looked really solid.
Aside from that no one has stood out too much... not diminishing them as players, just I think their strength has been the way they have worked as a team first and foremost.
Case in point, man for man I'd say Welly has the better back line, but based on current form I'd probably rather have the Auckland back four.
Both fullbacks Berlanga (Spain) and Iwata (Japan) have looked decent, as has Dordevic from Serbia who's on loan from a Serbian top flight club.
I agree. I don't think many players have actually shone except maybe Irving but the strength has been in the team and the way they play. So its probably Ramon that is the real star.....
Cruz Azul have a formidably experienced lineup including several Mexico internationals.
Cruz Azul's highest profile players:
http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/clubs/club=194293...
Francisco Javier Rodriguez - Current 98 cap Mexican international defender (ex PSV Eindhoven, Stuttgart) who played against NZ in the Nov. 2013 World cup qualifiers and all Mexico's games at Brazil 2014 - as well as World Cup 2006 and 2010.
Gerardo Torrado - Team captain - 146 caps Mexico international defensive midfielder, the Ivan Vicelich of the side. Played in three World Cups for Mexico (2002, 2006, 2010). Last cap September 2013. Played in Spain for Tenerife and Sevilla.
Marco Fabian - 22 cap current Mexico international striker, won Olympic Gold at London 2012.
Hugo Mariano Pavone - Argentine striker ex-Estudiantes, Real Betis (Spain)
Mauro Formica - Argentinian striker ex Blackburn Rovers, Palermo (Italy), Newells Old Boys. One Argentina cap.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauro_Formica
Signed for Blackburn right at he end of Ryan's time there in early 2011.
(Makes a good table top too...)
Jesus Corona - 33 year-old Mexican international goalie and #1 for Mexico in all games at London Olympics 2012 winning the Gold.
On the bench vs. the All Whites in the World Cup qualifiers 2013 and on the bench for all Mexico's games at Brazil 2014.
Rafael Baca - ex San Jose Eathquakes in MLS
Gerardo Flores Zuniga - right-back; Mexican international since 2013 Confederations Cup (7 caps)
Joao Rojas - 33 cap Ecuador international winger
Christian Giminez - Argentine-born Mexican international midfielder (ex Boca Juniors) who played in the World Cup qualifiers in 2013 until his eligibility was questioned by Panama and he was mysteriously dropped from the squad vs. the All Whites.
Julio Cesar Dominguez - one club man (> 200 games) and current Mexican international defender aged 28
Fausto Pinto - 25 cap Mexican international left back.
Our part timers can deal with that!
Rafael Baca - ex San Jose Eathquakes in MLS
LOL, Baca is pish... in fact all the MLS players Cruz Azul signed in the last year were terrible (including that scrub Bernardello).
Joao Rojas is way better than Pavone and Formica, he's the real player to watch.
Marco Fabian, it depends if he's in his day or not, he's pretty much Jekyll or Mr. Hyde.
I think overall Cruz Azul is a stronger side than San Lorenzo, but San Lorenzo's striker department is waaaaay better than Cruz Azul's... Pavone is BAD, and Zurdo, the back up, is even worse... :s
So it can be a game were Cruz Azul dominates posession, creates some nice chances but don't score just to be scored against in a counter or a corner.
Anyone watching this at all? Surprised there is not one bit of chat in here...
1-1 with 10 to go...
No chat thread on stuff today either, they've hopped off as quickly as they got on.
How much additional prize money do ACFC win if they win this one?
According to the Herald $640,000 USD.
yeah watched last 10. Another great effort
its tense as always
3rd woohoo
That's amazing.
Well done ACFC.
That manager must be up for a professional job somewhere.
Unbelievable!!! Congratulations to ACFC an outstanding result!!
Mexican feed as we are missing ACFC and seeing interviews.
Props to Auckland they have had a hell of a tourney, amazing job by the staff and the players, but Cruz Azul xD, you can't lose against this kind of opposition, I hope Cruz Azul gets relegated to Guatemala just for this embarrassement.
final score please
1-1, ACFC win 4-2 on penalties.
Auckland on PK's 4-2. 1-1 at full time.
Brilliant! Well done Auckland. Again!
Doubt this will ever be repeated. Well done ACFC!
Auckland City's first match back against the WeeNix is on January 11 at Kiwitea Street hopefully the ground is full because they deserve it.
Nix could field an ex-ACFC team against them!
A little gutted, thought this was on at 8.30. What a great result to wake up too however!!
At least I can watch the replay at 11am calmly. Great result, Auckland you have done the country proud.
What a great performance!
Stunning result. Great for the club, and for football in this country.
WOW....well done Auckland. Thought they would get rolled in this game. They must have been dog tired after all those games close together. The Mexican team is a very good team with some great players.
No doubt this has been one of the greatest performances in the history of NZ football. With the European transfer window opening in a few weeks it will be interesting if any of the Auckland players get a call to a pro club. This tournament is closely watched globally.
Would not be surprised if Ramon got a call up. Would love to see him coach an A-League side. It would be a shame to see him lost to NZ football......we need more NZ sides playing his style of football
Excellent result and a brilliant campaign!
I take my hat off to everyone involved with ACFC, for not only defying the odds and going above and beyond what was expected, but for bringing football back into the national spotlight. They may not have the budget that the other clubs have, but they were organised, determined, and worked for each other.
I hope from this that some of the players have opened doors to opportunities that only a couple of weeks ago didn't exist, and that Ramon Tribulietx is not lost to football in this country...
Bronze Ball award for Ivan Vicelich must've been an honour for Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo to recieve their awards alongside the Godfather.
This really is a great result, Will they be nominated for the Halberg team of the year? Or will it again go to the AB's? Auckland imo deserve it. Sure they are not quite the amateurs as made out but they have done bloody well.
I now await the inane remarks set forth to come from people like Sam Malcolmson and Billy Harris.
De Vries has impressed in this tournament. Shades of Krishna with some pace. If he is indeed eligible for the All Whites, I hope he gets a gig overseas as a result of this tournament
This really is a great result, Will they be nominated for the Halberg team of the year? Or will it again go to the AB's? Auckland imo deserve it. Sure they are not quite the amateurs as made out but they have done bloody well.
I now await the inane remarks set forth to come from people like Sam Malcolmson and Billy Harris.
Doubt they'd come up with anything more stupid than Sumner's idea
Well done Auckland. Great effort!
Was reading how money gets divided up, all teams in competition last year appear to get some so guessing includes the Wanderers team.
What I thought was really unfair is they lose $10,000 per yellow card. That is pretty harsh!
As LG offered, it will be interesting to see if the team get a last minute nomination for the Halberg Awards.
The current nominees list.
Epic result for ACFC and kiwi football. Also great to see Ivan getting kudos on that stage!
Phoenix scouts?
Bronze Ball award for Ivan Vicelich must've been an honour for Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo to recieve their awards alongside the Godfather.
I remember many years ago (the early nineties) when I was involved with radio commentaries for Waikato I went to Waitakere for the National League match Waitakere City v Waikato Utd. Speaking to Rex Dawkins before the game, I asked him if there were any players in his side that I should keep an eye on. He told me that they had a young centre back called Ivan Vicelich who was "going to go places"
How right he was.
Congratulations to Auckland City on their achievements - it was great to see our game make the main part of the TV news for a change.
