Vicelich enjoys moment with eye on future
AUCKLAND City captain Ivan Vicelich is mulling over his footballing future, though the veteran has hinted that he wants to help with developing New Zealand football.
For the moment the 38-year-old is content to bask in the glory of the bronze medal effort at the Fifa Club World Cup in Morocco.
Vicelich gained the individual honours for his team as he won the coveted Bronze Ball trophy for his effort in the third-place playoff where Auckland City beat Azul Cruz in a penalty shootout. The Oceania champions had drawn 1-1 with the Mexican club, the Central and North American champions.
Vicelich shared the stage with some of the sport’s biggest names at the end of the tournament – Golden Ball winner Sergio Ramos and Silver Ball winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
It completed a dream few weeks in Morocco where Auckland City turned heads with their competitiveness, style and humility.
Vicelich gave no hint what the future might hold after writing another chapter in his storied career that included the All Whites’ 2010 World Cup success.
‘‘To be honest the penny hasn’t really dropped yet. I’ll need some time to think about what lies ahead,’’ Vicelich said.
‘‘I’ve been playing
for
a
long time, and I’ve played many times for the national team too. At the moment, I’m just thinking about enjoying the moment. I know I can help by passing on my experience to the younger players, and being involved in the development of sport in New Zealand.’’
There would be no better way to bow out than on the back of this effort, though Vicelich’s competitive fire still burns bright and he has proven he can dominate at club level.
Vicelich said the team were looking forward to returning home for Christmas.
That has proven a tricky exercise. They depart Morocco in waves with players on various flights as the club struggled to make flight changes because their ongoing success.
They had originally been booked to fly out after their first game, but changes had to be constantly made as they advanced deeper into the tournament. The club estimates they flight changes may cost them as much as $45,000.
That’s small change to the riches they bring home though – $3.27 million in prizemoney, half of which they will share with their rival clubs in the national championship.
Vicelich hopes Auckland’s positive approach can have spinoffs for the New Zealand game.
Spanish coach Ramon Tribulietx has worked hard to introduce a possession-based game, produc-
of ing patient attack off the back of exceptional defence.
‘‘Our style of play is . . . a different type of football to what you usually see in New Zealand, but we’ve shown that a fresh approach can work,’’ Vicelich said.
‘‘It’s helped us not just to win games and trophies, but also to attract new players, and establish the club as a model for New Zealand football. We’re small, but we’re passionate about football, as are our fans.
‘‘I hope that the example we’ve set will have a positive effect on the way football is played in the country, from the senior national side to the youth teams. There’s a really promising new generation of players coming through.’’