Soccer: Vicelich revels in rivalry at top of the league

Ivan Vicelich says Auckland City are a better side than they were last year. Photo / Richard Robinson

Ivan Vicelich kicked off what has become one of the most enduring stories in New Zealand soccer out west.

He made his senior debut at Waitakere City - playing 60-plus games - before, in 1996, switching to Central United where he has now totted up an impressive 100 outings.

By 2001 he had moved further afield, playing professionally until 2008 in The Netherlands.

Vicelich, 33, returned to New Zealand domestic football for the 2008-09 season, joining Central United's summer franchised arm Auckland City and picking up the captain's armband.

He walked slap bang into the greatest New Zealand Football Championship rivalry, ironically involving the only two senior clubs he has played at.

Waitakere United, the franchise associated with winter league club Waitakere City, and Auckland City have been at it since they clashed for the first time in November 2004.

They have now met 25 times, with City well ahead both in games won and goals scored.

Vicelich looks forward to these derby games. "They are the top two clubs in New Zealand and it is the same as any big city in the world where there are rivalries," said Vicelich. "When I was playing in Holland there were always big games where the players got more excited, there was added media coverage and a good turnout by the spectators. And, more often than not, they turned out to be special games."

Tomorrow's game at Fred Taylor Park will not decide this season's NZFC outcome, but a win for visiting City would go a long way towards Vicelich's hope of going through the season unbeaten.

"We all want to go back to the Club World Cup and to do that we have to keep winning. I feel we have now got over the high of Abu Dhabi. It took time to get our feet back on the ground but we have now come back to Earth and just want to get on with it," said Vicelich.

"That's always a challenge when you have achieved what we did over there."

Vicelich is quick to pay tribute to City's coaching staff, led by Paul Posa and with Ramon Tribulietx and Stipe Saric as his assistants.

"They are as good as any I have played under," said Vicelich.

"The staff are very good and, importantly, behind the players all the way. Ramon is very thorough and, collectively, they put in a lot of effort in leaving nothing to chance. They allow the players to get on with [it] and I feel we are doing very well.

"I feel the standard this season is a step up from what I saw in my first season back."

While he remains an important link between the players and the coaching staff, Vicelich is free of any selection involvement which allows him to focus on playing and rallying his troops.

"I'm totally enjoying playing in the NZFC and O-League. We want the double and then the double-double and with it the chance to return to the Club World Cup.

"That was a fantastic experience and again, we have the same high ambitions."