Auckland FC - Once the Knights, Always the Knights
Per Andy Harper on the broadcast, 75-cap Japanese international right back Hiroki Sakai will sign for Auckland FC from Urawa Red Diamonds.
— AussieScout (@scout_aussie) June 11, 2024
He played for Japan as recently as the 2022 World Cup.
34 years old, but has some serious playing record behind him.
He is a converted winger, so possibly.
Per Andy Harper on the broadcast, 75-cap Japanese international right back Hiroki Sakai will sign for Auckland FC from Urawa Red Diamonds.
— AussieScout (@scout_aussie) June 11, 2024
He played for Japan as recently as the 2022 World Cup.
34 years old, but has some serious playing record behind him.
Per Andy Harper on the broadcast, 75-cap Japanese international right back Hiroki Sakai will sign for Auckland FC from Urawa Red Diamonds.
— AussieScout (@scout_aussie) June 11, 2024
He played for Japan as recently as the 2022 World Cup.
34 years old, but has some serious playing record behind him.
Though not as big as the Korean (25,000) or Chinese (175,000) expat populations in Auckland, is still about 10,000 Japanese in the 09 apparently. My mate in Greenlane (fluent Japanese speaker himself) has partner from Tokyo. She once ran a Japanese pre school in Auckland, one of about 3-4 such pre schools in the city.
I'm sure my mate (more a Wahs fanboy) will take his partner and son to a few AFC games in nearby Penrose, more so yes if they have an ex Blue Samurai signing.
Edit - some trivia. Saki had 5 seasons at Marseille in France. His first seasion there in 2016/17, was Bill Tuiloma's last season there. Tuiloma being in the Marseille II (reserves) team almost that entire campaign. Just the 1 bench appearance for the first team. But yeah they will know each other a little you'd think.
Per Andy Harper on the broadcast, 75-cap Japanese international right back Hiroki Sakai will sign for Auckland FC from Urawa Red Diamonds.
— AussieScout (@scout_aussie) June 11, 2024
He played for Japan as recently as the 2022 World Cup.
34 years old, but has some serious playing record behind him.
Though not as big as the Korean (25,000) or Chinese (175,000) expat populations in Auckland, is still about 10,000 Japanese in the 09 apparently. My mate in Greenlane (fluent Japanese speaker himself) has partner from Tokyo. She once ran a Japanese pre school in Auckland, one of about 3-4 such pre schools in the city.
I'm sure my mate (more a Wahs fanboy) will take his partner and son to a few AFC games in nearby Penrose, more so yes if they have an ex Blue Samurai signing.
Edit - some trivia. Saki had 5 seasons at Marseille in France. His first seasion there in 2016/17, was Bill Tuiloma's last season there. Tuiloma being in the Marseille II (reserves) team almost that entire campaign. Just the 1 bench appearance for the first team. But yeah they will know each other a little you'd think.
Think of it as the open plan office (shudders), with you in the accounts team, and the marketing crowd around the corner. Do that for a year, and 7 years later you'd likely remember some faces. FYI I left those horrid places 7 years ago, but can still recall most of those miserable looking folk.
I wonder what his English is like!
Very much more a City type name signing than the Nix of recent times. A little risky, but also a chance of getting a bit of Japanese support along for AFC and probably also doesn’t hurt if in a few years negotiations around NZ based clubs entering Asian competitions happens… might also create the possibility for some good off season tours!
Pretty impressive if this is the level of signings Auckland FC will be making. Played for Japan at the last World Cup, was an overage player at the Tokyo Olympics, 200+ appearances across Bundeliga and Ligue 1, Asian Champions League winner and current captain of a J.League club. https://t.co/vtb6YsKbVG
— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) June 12, 2024
Our own Kiwi Michael Fitzgerald still playing well in the J League at 35. A diet, lifestyle thing??
And with Sakai you don’t play 75 Blue Samurai games without being very good
It’s nice to come and see players you might not otherwise and who have a bit of heritage, but performance wise Payne was shark hot for most of last season. It’s just a challenge to stay the best in NZ.
Only thing is if I was building a club, I'd be using money bringing in foreigners for Central D, CM or serious attacking options up front.
Seems a waste to put big bucks on a RB to me... or perhaps he could slot in as a central mid? Happy to be shot down on this one, I'm only 1 coffee in today.
And actually I hope they come last, so good luck to them :P (half joking here)
The owners have said they will use all 5 foreign sports and have said they will also use marquees. Therefore budget and salary cap should not be a factor.
A previous poster has said that he has played in a back three and he looks big enough at 6 foot to do so.
Now with a foreign player you really want them to be good enough to be in the starting eleven which obviously this Japanese chap would be based upon his predigee.
Let’s assume that all foreigners signed are good enough to make the starting first eleven in their respective positions.
There appears two starting spots reserved for decent Australians, CM - Brimmer and CD, Burn. So assuming those rumours are true, those positions are partially sorted.
Now that only leaves 4 starting places left for kiwis. Let’s assume one place is for a gun kiwi attacker like Rojas or Singh. One is goalkeeper and the other a defender or two (like Smith and another).
Realistically you want at least that number in your starting team if you want to promote NZ football.
I seem to recall the initial knights only had 4 kiwis in their entire squad.
Don’t think these owners will sign journeymen ausis.
The nix fell into this problem for many years and only recently have stopped it.
If they are going 5 quality visas and 2 experienced ALM Aussies in Brimmer & Hall, then you want your bench to all be Kiwis, and preferably some young exciting ones.
No Aussie journeymen/NPL level players, which Nix were guilty of in the past. AFC don't have an Academy yet, but there are enough young talented Kiwis around to fill out a squad - which to be fair, seems to be what they are planning to do.
We have a home, now time to decorate it! ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/Z3p2JTH2G0
— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) June 12, 2024
Only thing is if I was building a club, I'd be using money bringing in foreigners for Central D, CM or serious attacking options up front.
Seems a waste to put big bucks on a RB to me... or perhaps he could slot in as a central mid? Happy to be shot down on this one, I'm only 1 coffee in today.
And actually I hope they come last, so good luck to them :P (half joking here)
21 starts 22/23
12 starts all seasons prior
And of course either time he's gone overseas (Greece & Scotland) it's been zero mins total.
https://us.soccerway.com/players/-elliot/472054/
There has been no announcement yet on Callan. Who knows if AFC sign Sakai, Elliot may want to look elsewhere. Though Sakai has only played 9 (6 starts) of 17 J League games this season to date for Urawa Reds. And at 34, he maybe getting a little injury prone.
21 starts 22/23
12 starts all seasons prior
And of course either time he's gone overseas (Greece & Scotland) it's been zero mins total.
https://us.soccerway.com/players/-elliot/472054/
There has been no announcement yet on Callan. Who knows if AFC sign Sakai, Elliot may want to look elsewhere. Though Sakai has only played 9 (6 starts) of 17 J League games this season to date for Urawa Reds. And at 34, he maybe getting a little injury prone.
Callan's signed.
Talk of this Sakai lad coming in as a CB, but I don't see how that would work given he's played bugger all at CB in a 400+ game career...
So vastly experienced. The ALM is a drop down from J1. He'd probably handle the switch to CB okay. He's likely lost some speed, but years of tactical nous to call upon.
He hasn't started a J1 game for Urawa Reds since early April, so maybe he's been told to start looking elsewhere for a club.
https://us.soccerway.com/players/hiroki-sakai/74373/
Sakai was actually one of Japan's 3 o/a players at the Tokyo Olympics. He started 5 of their 6 games, as they finished 4th. The only game he missed?
The QF win on pens over NZ!
Certainly able to provide cover for CB if needed.
Auckland FC is thrilled to announce the appointment of Cam Kilgour as the club’s Team Manager⚔️
— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) June 13, 2024
With over 20 years of leadership and experience in team logistics, Kilgour will help take Auckland FC to new heights in our inaugural season! pic.twitter.com/1Z6kV3WTJo
2003-4 Blues Super Rugby - Assisting Blues Manager
2007-8 Easts Rugby Brisbane - Rugby Manager
2009-13 South Canterbury Rugby Union - Rugby Manager
2013-18 Cook Islands - 15s and 7s Team Manager
2019-20 LA Rugby and Austin Rugby - Operations Manager
2022 1880 Rugby Frankfurt - Rugby Manager
2022 Manawatu Rugby Union - NPC Team Manager
2024 Auckland FC - Team Manager
I jest. Wonder if we can grab Yuta Nakayama to go on the left side.
He's a free agent, played for PEC Zwolle (where Ryan Thomas currently is) and more recently in the English Championship.
If you know for a fact, how do you know? and can you drop any other names?
21 starts 22/23
12 starts all seasons prior
And of course either time he's gone overseas (Greece & Scotland) it's been zero mins total.
https://us.soccerway.com/players/-elliot/472054/
There has been no announcement yet on Callan. Who knows if AFC sign Sakai, Elliot may want to look elsewhere. Though Sakai has only played 9 (6 starts) of 17 J League games this season to date for Urawa Reds. And at 34, he maybe getting a little injury prone.
Callan's signed.
Talk of this Sakai lad coming in as a CB, but I don't see how that would work given he's played bugger all at CB in a 400+ game career...
And some intel I understand he’s likely holding back, out of respect to young players and their families not wanting to ruin their big day, when AFC officially announce them.
Read earlier in the thread for some other likely signings.
We have a home, now time to decorate it! ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/Z3p2JTH2G0
— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) June 12, 2024
Any idea where they might put the Away Bay? Or do you reckon the NZ Derby's get pushed to Eden Park?
If you know for a fact, how do you know? and can you drop any other names?
21 starts 22/23
12 starts all seasons prior
And of course either time he's gone overseas (Greece & Scotland) it's been zero mins total.
https://us.soccerway.com/players/-elliot/472054/
There has been no announcement yet on Callan. Who knows if AFC sign Sakai, Elliot may want to look elsewhere. Though Sakai has only played 9 (6 starts) of 17 J League games this season to date for Urawa Reds. And at 34, he maybe getting a little injury prone.
Callan's signed.
Talk of this Sakai lad coming in as a CB, but I don't see how that would work given he's played bugger all at CB in a 400+ game career...
Very good, close sources.
But like I said earlier, I won't divulge names if I'm asked to keep details under wraps. Have had the confirmation of one player tonight (who has already been strongly suggested in this thread) but it just turns out I didn't read my messages closely enough the first time I was told. 😅
I may post them up on here just prior to an announcement, but for the most part, especially for those earning their first pro deal, they should be able to enjoy that moment & the limelight that comes with it.
Here's a tidbit for you though. Northern League selection players (I think that means invitational) will get to show their wares in front of coaches in the next 3-4 weeks in the run in to the start of pre season.
We have a home, now time to decorate it! ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/Z3p2JTH2G0
— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) June 12, 2024
Any idea where they might put the Away Bay? Or do you reckon the NZ Derby's get pushed to Eden Park?
The first derby in Auckland is being mooted for about Round 4? 2nd derby the ROF for Waitangi Day?
I guess they will see how Auckland's first ever home game at Mt Smart (30,000) goes. If that sells out or is close to a sellout, maybe yeah they think about moving the first derby to EP. I imagine as the season start draws close, they will get a feel about the general hype, ticket demand etc.
Round 4 will be early/mid November? Domestic rugby season over, so EP shouldn't have any other event clashes??
With Canberra now not happening until season 2024/25, that means an uneven draw, and playing 2 or 3 teams thrice to get a 26 or 27 game ALM regular season for Paramount. I'm sure there will then be a 3rd derby game. If that 3rd derby matchup late in the season is in Auckland, maybe that goes to EP, especially if both teams are in playoff contention.
An Away Bay in Penrose? Maybe it goes in with the ultras of Tamaki AFC! A ring of riot poilice as protective shield, against the angry hordes surrounding them.