Auckland City’s Argentine forward EmilianoTade was in an anxious mood the night before the most important game of his career. Gordon Glen Watson, press chief for the New Zealand side, received a knock on the door of his hotel room hours before Auckland took on Algerians ES Sitef for a place in the semi-finals of the 2014 Club World Cup, a game that holds particular significance for the 26-year-old native of Santiago del Estero.
“Tade came to my room and he asked me if I could introduce him to someone at San Lorenzo,” Watson told the Buenos Aires Herald.com in the early hours of the morning from Morocco, still on top of the world after the biggest result in the amateur club’s history.
“I said Emi… Emi… just go to bed, relax. Tomorrow win. Then you can meet them yourself!
“And voila! Final whistle he ran to me in tears of joy!” the Auckland official recalls, beaming at the memory of his young charge’s happiness.
Emiliano followed his Navy Blues colleague’s orders. The striker played the entire 90 minutes of the Oceania champions’ 1-0 triumph over their African counterparts, securing their place among the four Club World Cup finalists. After six attempts in the FIFA tournament, the side led by Spanish coach Ramón Tribulietx had finally made the latter stages, and Tade’s dream will come true on Wednesday when Auckland meet Copa Libertadores holders San Lorenzo in the Stade de Marrakesh.
Even after a punishing coach trip back from Rabat to the Moroccan capital, when the Buenos Aires Herald.com caught up with the Auckland striker it was clear that he was eager for the chance to show fans back in Argentina what he can do withthe Club World Cup’s underdogs.
Emiliano, first of all congratulations for the brilliant win over Setif. How does it feel to be among the four best club teams in the world?
I think that aside from being among the top four, this has been so incredible, it means making history not just for the club but for the entire country. It really has been a unique, deep moment of joy.
And for you it must be even more special taking on a team like San Lorenzo…
Of course, not just for the quality they have but also for the size of the club, I come from a country where football is huge, it is in the air wherever you go, and to play against San Lorenzo really is a dream come true that I have had since I was a kid. It is a team you always want to watch on TV, so this is even more than a dream come true.
Is there a particular Cuervo player you would like to meet, or swap your shirt with at the end?
There are a few. They have some historic players, who are the backbone of the team, but I think there are two that I admire more than any other because when I left Argentina they were playing back then. One is [Leandro] ‘Pipi’ Romagnoli, and the other [NéstorOrtigoza].
And on the other side of the pitch, if any San Lorenzo fans are reading who should they be looking out for in Auckland?
I think they should be worried about a group of friends, a modest, hard-working group and besides the quality of play, this is a team that really wants to show the world what we are capable of.
How are you feeling in the days leading up to the game?
Well, we are still in a dream world since the first game, where we won on penalties. We have been working towards this for a long time now, at least since I have been at the club, for four years, and at times I feel like we have not even played the first game because it is hard to believe this sensation of going through the rounds, as they say in English I am buzzing!
For those who have not seen you play yet, how would you describe yourself on the pitch. Are you a typical centre-forward, or can we expect some skilful play on Wednesday?
Perhaps more than the typical ‘number 9’ we are used to in football I play a little more out wide, down the line let’s say. I think we have a style of play, it is not structured that is not the right word, but it is based on teamwork more than looking for skills or tricks. I am not that type of player, I am more direct I play focused on the goal.
Can you tell me a little about how you came to New Zealand? How does an Argentine end up playing the Club World Cup with a team on the other side of the world?
It all started at university, or maybe even when I was a kid, I played football in a club which right now is in the third division but generally when you get to the age of 15, 16 and you are not playing for a big club it is hard to believe that you could one day live off football. I had let it go and focused on my studies, I only played with my friends just like pretty much any Argentine!
But one day I discovered the idea of a Working Holiday, I decided to try my luck – not for the football, it was the typical gap year looking for an experience and an adventure. I went to New Zealand, and because of the language of which I knew absolutely nothing I started to work in hotels, painting, in restaurants, wherever, until I got the chance to trial in a club and from there everything started to revolve around football. My life is now football.
Was it hard for you to adapt with the language, the culture in Auckland?
To be honest, whenever I talk about this I do not say it was hard, or very hard, more than that it has been an enormous, huge challenge. It still is even today and I like to think about it in those terms, because that means that it has been a journey and I am still growing. It is a long process and I love being there, learning new things every day about the language or a piece of the culture. I enjoy it greatly, I love to be in places where you are outside your comfort zone.
I’m sure there are things you miss from home, the asado, the dulce de leche?
What I really love is going to the stadium, and the passion for football, that for me is much more important than any food. However, when I came here one thing I did take with me was the parties!
Obviously there are huge difference between Argentine and New Zealand football, but do you think the sport can grow as a culture in the land of the All Blacks?
I think that football is growing a lot in New Zealand. Of course the differences are massive but you might be able to see some kids who start to know a little more about football. I have the chance to spent a lot of time with kids during the week, when we help to train them and teach them about football. You can feel that football is growing, the All Whites (New Zealand national football team) have also contributed with their World Cup campaigns. Football is a sport that rouses many passions, and I think, or would like to think, that in the next few years we will see big things happening in the country.
Do you think that this wonderful campaign will raise your profile with football fans back in Argentina?
Since the game against Setif I have received thousands and thousands of messages. Of course it is because there is an Argentine team in the Club World Cup, but besides that I think you can see that it is not just in Argentina, it is something global, what this club and this team have achieved is something amazing and it is what you always work towards, it is great to be recognised for your work.
And of course I have to ask, what team do you support back home?
I have two teams, the first is the love of my life Club Atlético Mitre, I played for them [in the youth divisions] and I have been a fan all my life. The second, Boca Juniors.
Source: Buenos Aires Herald