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Adelaide United may be second in the A-League, but Reds coach Aurelio Vidmar could be forgiven for having his mind on other matters. In just under a fortnight, Vidmar’s team will take to the pitch at the National Stadium in Tokyo, as Adelaide United get set to clash with the might of world football in the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Reds qualified despite a 5-0 aggregate hammering at the hands of Gamba Osaka in the two-legged Asian Champions League final, and standing in Adelaide’s way of a rematch with the Osakans are Oceania champions Waitakere United.
The Kiwis will be battle hardened after their participation in last year’s tournament, where they were beaten by Iranian side Sepahan in a play-off to decide who would go through to the quarter-finals.
One post-match remark proved just how much of an unknown quantity the New Zealand side were, with a member of the Japanese press suggesting to Waitekere captain Danny Hay that his team had lost because Tokyo was “too cold” for them!
It’s not quite the same as a trip to Iceland, but the National Stadium – or “Kokuritsu” as it is affectionately known in Japan – is certainly a cold place to be in mid-December.
United’s Brazilian quartet had best pack their favourite pair of gloves, and with only 25,000 fans turning out in the Japanese capital to watch the same qualifying play-off last year, they should also prepare to play in front of a half-empty stadium at the cavernous home of the 1964 Summer Olympics.
There will be more fans in attendance at Toyota Stadium on December 14, with Adelaide hoping to book another showdown with Gamba Osaka at one of Japan’s most stunning sporting arenas.
There’s no doubt that the South Australians were outclassed in the Asian Champions League final, but they could face a Gamba side on the brink of exhaustion.
Akira Nishino’s men started their season at the Pan Pacific Championships in Hawaii back in February – Gamba won that friendly tournament – and since then they’ve featured in the J. League, the Champions League, the League Cup and the Emperor’s Cup, as well as hosting the inaugural Suruga Bank Championship in July.
Last year Nishino complained that young defender Michihiro Yasuda returned from the mid-season FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Canada suffering from fatigue, and key man Yasuhito Endo is a high-profile sufferer of Hepatitis C, leaving the mercurial midfielder at constant risk of exhaustion.
Fellow midfielder Takahiro Futagawa is racing against the clock to be fit for the Club World Cup, and with Gamba facing an Emperor’s Cup quarter-final clash against Nagoya Grampus on Christmas Day – knowing that the winners of the cup earn a place in next season’s Asian Champions League – the Osakans could be ripe for the picking in Toyota.
Adelaide United are not the first Australian team to take part in FIFA’s intercontinental jamboree, after NSL club South Melbourne represented Oceania at what was then known as the FIFA Club World Championship in Brazil in 2000.
More recently Sydney FC were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa at Toyota Stadium in the 2005 edition, before turning in one of the best ever performances by an Australian club side to beat Egyptian giants Al-Ahly 2-1 in the 5/6 play-off in Tokyo.
Adelaide United would dearly love to register at least one win at the FIFA Club World Cup, although United fans will hope that the tournament does not derail their current A-League campaign.
If United fans thought their potential quarter-final opponent looked daunting, they should spare a thought for Aurelio Vidmar and his coaching staff.
Should the Reds beat not only Waitakere United, but also Gamba Osaka, they will then run out in front of 70,000 fans at Yokohama International Stadium on December 18.
And who will stand in their way in the historic port city?
None other than Sir Alex Ferguson, Cristiano Ronaldo and a certain Manchester United.
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December 4th 2008 @ 10:38am
dasilva said | December 4th 2008 @ 10:38am | Report comment
Generally the european sides have respected the competition and have their full team there. I think because there is significant monetary rewards for winning the competition. Whether the players are motivated or not is another thing.
Croatia 7-0.
It’s because they had Aussies in the team. That’s why.
December 4th 2008 @ 10:46am
Pippinu said | December 4th 2008 @ 10:46am | Report comment
AU has plenty of incentive to get past WU.
But let’s all be quite honest now – likely result? What’s half of 5-0?
December 4th 2008 @ 3:43pm
Mike Tuckerman said | December 4th 2008 @ 3:43pm | Report comment
Hopefully it’ll be a bit closer than that Pip. Gamba look dead on their feet at the moment, although luckily for them there’s an eight day break between the finish of the J. League and the Club World Cup quarter-final in Toyota.
Gamba’s fatigue might peg them back a little though, and the inclusion of Jonas Salley and Alemao in Adelaide’s squad should give the Reds some more bite.
Add to that the fact that Adelaide now know what to expect from Gamba (and are not chasing the game) and this could be a tighter contest than the AFC Champions League final, especially given that Gamba haven’t always played well under pressure, and this is a one-off clash in front of Japanese fans to determine who will go through to face Manchester United.
December 4th 2008 @ 4:56pm
James Ward said | December 4th 2008 @ 4:56pm | Report comment
Mike, are you based in Japan are you? What do you do there? I love Japan, Tokyo is mad.
Aren’t Gamba really struggling in the J-League?
Adelaide might be better prepared for their attacking ways but its not like their A-League form has been great. They look tired themselves and I hate to see how this is going to effect their A-League form once they start playing those catch up games.
December 4th 2008 @ 5:20pm
Ben of Phnom Penh said | December 4th 2008 @ 5:20pm | Report comment
Ill be at the Gamba game so I’m hoping Adelaide will be there as well (and may yet make it to the Waitakere game as I’ll be in Japan at the time). As for Man U, I’m hoping whoever wins from Asia/Oceania gives them an early trip home. the odds may be against their opponents however the support won’t be.
Adelaide have a good chance against Gamba as they have had a chance to recuperate and have a larger squad to choose from. One problem with the ACL was the Adelaide rubber band was stretched too tight and the club couldn’t keep up the form with the resources on hand. Remember, Adelaide managed to defeat Kashima Antlers home and away earlier in the ACL and in my opinion they are a far superior side to Gamba (domestically at least). With Jonas and LMAO adding depth to the Adelaide squad, and the pressure off, I believe a good showing is on the cards.
The real question is going to be maintaining the A-League form upon return.
One thing that cannot be denied though is that this year has been one hell of a ride for the Reds.
December 4th 2008 @ 8:00pm
Dave said | December 4th 2008 @ 8:00pm | Report comment
Ben
As you will be at the game(s) wonder if you could give us poor unfortunates on the Roar who wont be there a run down on the atmosphere and build up. Interested to know how the Japanese view the tournament?
Hope AU do Oz proud and get to play MU. Will be watching on SBS.
December 5th 2008 @ 7:09am
Kazama said | December 5th 2008 @ 7:09am | Report comment
Ben: “The real question is going to be maintaining the A-League form upon return.”
Yes, this is of great concern to me considering in January we have another glut of fixtures to get through. There are some tough ones in there as well, which doesn’t bode well considering these are our only remaining games before the finals, aside from tonight:
3/1 v Sydney (Adelaide Oval); 6/1 @ Melbourne; 9/1 v Newcastle; 14/1 v Queensland; 18/1 @ Wellington; 25/1 @ Central Coast
If Sydney and Newcastle hit form while we are in Japan I can see us sliding out of the top four quite easily. Tonight’s game is a must win for us because when we return we could already be out of the four considering we’ll be two games behind.
Ben: “One thing that cannot be denied though is that this year has been one hell of a ride for the Reds.”
It certainly has. I think some of those ACL games shaved a few years off my life, but it was worth it. Enjoy yourself in Japan Ben. I wish I could be there to see the Reds take on the world – or at least the Kiwis.
December 5th 2008 @ 10:46am
Ben of Phnom Penh said | December 5th 2008 @ 10:46am | Report comment
Cheers guys, I’ll give you an update as to how things pan out though I’m no certainty for the Waitakere game as I have family commitments in Kyushu soon after. The build up could be interesting as I’m flying into Kansai (Osaka) so I may spend a day in town catching up with people and checking out the atmosphere as Gamba gear up. Chances are many of the fans already have Man U penciled in so I’m hoping complacency also comes to our aid (the same complacency we risk against Waitakere). I assume that you will be there Mike as it’s not far on the shinkasen from Shimizu (if I’m not mistaken).
December 5th 2008 @ 11:57am
Mike Tuckerman said | December 5th 2008 @ 11:57am | Report comment
I will indeed be The Roar’s man on the ground at the Club World Cup, and I’m looking forward to sharing the sights and sounds of the tournament with you all.
February 12th 2009 @ 4:17pm
Terry West said | February 12th 2009 @ 4:17pm | Report comment
Hi Michael Tuckerman , I hope you remember me – this is your old cricket coach signing in. Tim and I sat down last night in preparation for the big Socceroos game and low and behold you appeared. It was such a wonderful suprise to see you and I’d like to congrtaulate you on your position and obvious success. Your introduction to the game was first class, confident and informative.
Once again congrats on your career and keep up the good work.
Best wishes – Terry