Auckland City FC forward Emiliano Tade admitted to being a “little bit tired” following the 19,000km journey but says the friendly match with Uzbekistan is already whetting the appetite.
“Obviously, we’re a bit tired after a long trip but it’s good we did two sessions today like we would normally do on a Tuesday back home,” Tade said, “it helps to recover the body and start developing towards our best performance.”
The team will go into a three day training camp before facing Uzbekistan on December 4 in a warm-up match, then back up against Moghreb Tétouan on December 10 in the FIFA Club World Cup playoffs.
“It’s a big game, it’s huge. Probably the biggest game of our lives for some of our players. Some of us have already played in big international matches but for some of us it’s huge,” Tade said, “we have to play to our best, as close to 100 per cent as we can.”
Uzbekistan qualified for the Asian Cup in Australia in January and will field a close to full-strength line-up for the friendly match against Auckland City FC.
However sizeable the task, Tade believes the carrot of a place in Ramon Tribulietx’s Club World Cup line-up can bring the best out of him and his team-mates.
“Moghreb is a tough team but I am happy with my form so far this season. But the main thing is the team is preparing well,” he said, “Uzbekistan have quality players and we cannot switch off.”
Coach Ramon Tribulietx is expected to rotate his players for the game with an eye on selecting his line-up for the playoff match.
“I’m very happy the session tonight was very intense. It was short and easy one, but intense. Considering the tiredness within the group, I think that proves we are mentally prepared for the very tough situations that are going to be presented against us.”
“We’re expecting a good hit out against a team that is likely to be similar to the one we’re going to face in Morocco with a similar style and shape, which is what we want. We’re trying to learn some lessons,” he said.
Live text updates of the match will be available at www.aucklandcityfc.com
Thursday 4 December, 2014/Friday 5 December, 2014
Friendly Match
Uzbekistan v Auckland City FC
Dubai, UAE
Kick-off: 4.30pm local time/1.30am NZST
Live text updates of the match will be available at www.aucklandcityfc.com
Wednesday 10 December, 2014/Thursday 11 December, 2014
FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2014 play-off
Moghreb Tétouan (MOR) v Auckland City (NZL)
Rabat, Morocco
Kick-off: 7.30pm local time/8.30am NZST

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