Soccer: Kashiwa main threat to City

Auckland City's captain Ivan Vicelich. Photo / Greg Bowker

The last piece of the puzzle has finally fallen into place allowing Auckland City's coaching staff and players to prepare in earnest for Friday's knock-out opening match at the Fifa Club World Cup in Japan.

City arrived in Japan unaware of who they would face in the tournament opening match as a three-way battle for J-League honours went to the wire.

In the end Kashiwa Reysol put their rivals out of their misery with a 3-1 away win over Urawa Red Diamonds. In claiming the points, Kashiwa dashed the faint hopes held by Gamba Osaka and Nagoya Grampus.

City skipper Ivan Vicelich said watching the drama unfold on Japanese television was nerve-wracking.

"Any one of the three teams could have won the title - the tension was unbelievable," Vicelich said.

Kashiwa's win allowed City to avoid what could have been a difficult game with Nagoya in front of their own fans at Toyota Stadium.

Former Japan international Teruo Iwamoto, who spent time at Auckland City in the past, believed that could work in City's favour. Vicelich said any advantage would only be minor.

"We've avoided Nagoya, which is a positive for us and Teruo is thinking in our best interests," said Vicelich.

"[But] Kashiwa look a good team and they're on a big high and we're going to have a big mission ahead of us. We're facing a team that is absolutely buzzing and that adds to our difficulties."

City moved to their new team base in Nagoya, just 15 minutes away from Toyota Stadium, with Friday's morale-boosting 2-1 win over professional outfit Ryutsu Keizai still fresh in their minds.

Vicelich said the win has put a spring in the step of the O-League champions.

"It served a purpose because we needed a hit-out in Japan. It was a good chance to get a couple of goals and I think we've got the benefit out of that match," he said.

While the win over Ryutsu was a valuable experience, what were Auckland's City's chances of a repeat result against Kashiwa?

"It's hard to say but looking at the stats. Kashiwa have conceded 41 goals and lost eight games out of 34. ... That's more than both Osaka and Nagoya, maybe that says we can create a chance," said Vicelich.

"But they are a very good side. We have to play out of our skins to have any chance of a result."