Football: De Vries hopeful for more heroics

Ryan De Vries remains hopeful his team can repeat the heroics of last year's Club World Cup. Photo / Getty

Auckland City midfielder Ryan De Vries admits Sanfrecce Hiroshima are a "massive challenge" but remains hopeful that his team can repeat the heroics of last year's Fifa Club World Cup.

The New Zealand side face the J-League champions tomorrow night at Yokohama, in the opening game of this year's tournament.

No team from this country has won a match against Japanese opposition at the Club World Cup, or even a game when the tournament has been hosted in Japan. Auckland City (2006) and Waitakere United (2007 and 2008) lost two matches apiece here, against non-Japanese opposition.

Then in 2011 Auckland City went down 2-1 to Kashiwa Reysol in Toyota and three years ago Ramon Tribulietx's men were pipped by Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1-0, falling to a wonder strike from well outside the penalty area.

"The Moroccan champions [last year] were good but watching the Japanese play is just another level," said De Vries. "It's always hard playing the first game, they are all professional sides. We have to take it step by step and adjust to the way they play. They are very fast - with and without the ball - and it's a massive challenge."

Sanfrecce Hiroshima finished top of the table in the regular season - dropping only 6 matches of 34 across the campaign - then prevailed in a two game playoff over AFC Champions League semi finalists Gamba Osaka.

"We don't know how hard it is going to be until we get out there," said De Vries. "But we know they are going to be tough, They are a very good side. Their aggression, their way of playing and linking with each other and their movement, on and off the ball all stands out. But like all good teams they have weaknesses and we are hoping to exploit that. We have faith in what we can do."

De Vries played a vital role in last year's campaign, setting up Angel Berlanga's goal against San Lorenzo then scoring against Cruz Azul in the bronze medal playoff.

"It's good sometimes to look back at the videos, see the pictures, talk to the boys about it," said De Vries. "It was amazing the togetherness that we had and at the moment it's the same feeling as last year. A few new players have come in but the camaraderie is just as strong."

Like many of his teammates, tomorrow is also a chance to put for De Vries to put himself in the shop window again, with numerous scouts and club officials watching on. His exploits in Morocco helped win his first All Whites cap this year, and he also had a trial at the Newcastle Jets after the tournament.

"It went well at Newcastle but obviously with the whole situation at the club and the FFA stepping in it didn't really go my way," said DeVries. "But you are always looking for a trial or a pro contract somewhere and the chance to prove yourself."