Japanese homecoming for Auckland City defender

Michael Den Heijer, left, spent a season with J-League side Kashiwa Reysol in 2014 before joining Auckland City. Photo / Sarah Ivey

For Auckland City defender Michael den Heijer, the current Fifa Club World Cup campaign is something of a homecoming.

Den Heijer spent a season with J-League side Kashiwa Reysol in 2014, one of just two players in the current Auckland City team to have club experience in Japan.

"I have very fond memories of Japan so I'm happy to be back," said den Heijer, who turned out for Kashiwa's youth team.

The spell gives him an insight into Japanese football, and the scale of Auckland's task on against Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Thursday evening (Thursday 11.45pm NZT).

"Technically, these players in Japan are unbelievably good," said den Heijer. "But they do have some weaknesses in their game...maybe some of their players aren't physically that strong. If we stick to our game plan and play with our structures then I believe we can do it."

Maybe it's the confidence of youth - as Auckland's challenge is huge - but it should be admired. Den Heijer has always stood out, right from the time he appeared in a Tip Top commercial when he was seven, after juggling the ball for the longest among all the other hopefuls at the casting call.

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A product of Wynton's Rufers Wynnrs academy, den Heijer's chance in Japan came through their former resident coach and ex-Japanese professional Hiroshi Miyazawa.

"I went over for a three week trial and did alright," said Den Heijer. "I got asked to come back for a one year youth deal. It was such a good experience to be with a professional J League outfit and [Kashiwa] are renowned for their youth system as well."

And no mean feat. Japanese clubs assess their best youngsters from the age of 10, then each year after that they have to continually make the grade or they are cut, such is the competition for places. Youth football is also well supported, and can draw massive crowds.

"I will never forgot is playing the west versus east final," said den Heijer. "We [had] won the under-18 East competition and there were probably 20,000 spectators there watching Kashiwa Reysol vs Cerezo Osaka. Unfortunately we lost 1-0 but it was an unbelievable experience."

Back in New Zealand, den Heijer has adapted quickly to coach Ramon Tribulietx's patented style of play, which is similar to the Kashiwa model.

"Ramon likes all of his players to be technically good," said Den Heijer. "If you are not technically good you won't make the squad so it was a great help being in Japan - it has helped me fit in quite well here."

Den Heijer has replaced John Irving in the Auckland City formation, after the ex-Everton professional returned to the Northern Hemisphere at the end of last season. Along with Ivan Vicelich, Irving's absence is hardest to cover, such was his quality. But den Heijer has made a promising start to his Auckland City stint. He has shown good anticipation and timing, is comfortable on the ball and has an eye for a defence splitting pass.