Tade: Auckland City must grow up - FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP
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Emiliano Tade says the hunger and desire to succeed at the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2015 is more intense than ever.
Last year, the Auckland City FC striker was a key figure as Oceania's amateurs surged to a scarcely believable bronze medal victory over Cruz Azul. But it's an achievement the Argentine forward says must be put firmly in perspective. He says its time for the Navy Blues to grow up.
"Our hunger to succeed is even more intense," he told FIFA.com. "We were like kids last year, excited by everything that happened around us after we started winning games. Like any kid when you enjoy a surprise, you want more and more of it and we were the same.
"I feel personally that the success we got last year was fine, but now we must grow up, do everything better - as footballers, as a club, as a team - in every area we can. The intensity and desire is stronger than ever to succeed in Japan. We know in many ways it will be more difficult because everyone knows we prepare well," he said.
Tade's performances against ES Setif and Cruz Azul caught the eye of his hometown club Club de Mitre in Argentina and soon after the FIFA Club World Cup he left the Navy Blues to realise his dream of playing for his childhood heroes.
"It was a great experience but an intense seven or eight months in Argentina but it was a dream I always had since I was a child to play for my home town club," he continued.
"To make that dream become true was a great experience that is hard to describe because the feelings were so powerful for me. The atmosphere, the fans, the people and the club were part of our local folklore of Argentine football, so it was a great experience. It helped me to harden up to grow up," he said.
While Tade's deep attraction to playing for Club de Mitre was undeniable, so too was the pull of Auckland City FC. Leaving Auckland City FC was emotional the first time, coming back was filled with equal joy.
"It was good to get back to Auckland City FC," he smiled. "When I was in Argentina I really enjoyed the football but I always had this feeling of having New Zealand as my home. I'm really happy to make the decision to come back to Auckland City FC. In some respects I don't feel like I left the Navy Blues, most of the people I know from last season or even years before.
"I spoke to Ramon Tribulietx and the club when I took the decision to come back to New Zealand and the reception to the idea was great. We all have something special in common with each other at Auckland City FC probably because of the many years I've had at the club and the emotion I have for the place will always be strong.
"Its always a really special feeling I've received from the club and I am happy to be back and look forward to being in Japan."