Mario Illich: Auckland City Captain previews the clash against the Wellington Phoenix Reserves

We’re heading towards the business end of the National League Championship, and every game counts in the race to the final.  

Auckland City are taking on the Wellington Phoenix Reserves this afternoon, in a must win match if they’re to stand a chance in making it to the final taking place in three weeks’ time.  

Mario Illich is the captain of Auckland City and joined D'Arcy to preview the game. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Waldgrave from News Talk SEDB talk.

Speaker 2 (00:12):
About local football, now the National League Championships on getting
toward the business end. She's toy Auckland City taking on
the Wellington Phoenix Reserves this afternoon. Pretty much I must
win if they're going to make it to the final
in three weeks time. Marrio Elitz is the captain of

(00:32):
Auckland City. He joins now to talk about that game. Goody, Mario,
how are you feeling about the game? You get a
few points to pick through?

Speaker 1 (00:43):
Have you?

Speaker 2 (00:44):
And welcome?

Speaker 3 (00:45):
Thank you mate. Yeah, nice to hear from you again.
And yeah, I know excited about this afternoon's game. You know,
it's obviously a do a die game for us at
this point of the season. Three games to go and
ye're sitting pretty deep down the table at the moment.
So yeah, like I said, do a die, and today's
that first step. And yeah, hopefully we can pick up

(01:05):
maxim points because I think anything less is yeah, probably
season season over.

Speaker 2 (01:10):
Yeah, is that what drives you to discuss that and
practice beforehand? Is it kind of like almost as hanging
over your head like an axe is that the right
way to go into a game.

Speaker 3 (01:19):
Yeah, well, I mean, I mean it's just like a
cup final. I guess right, you kind of get up,
it's do a diet, it's win to lose, and yes,
it's that's what this afternoon is going to be all about.
You know, it's obviously been a long season and I
think it's starting to take its.

Speaker 4 (01:32):
Toll on the team.

Speaker 3 (01:33):
You know, we've got a few injuries out and a
few boys you're already off into a bigger and better things.
So yeah, you know it's going to take a full
squad squad effort this afternoon. And yeah, the Phoenix in
recent years we've struggled against him as well. You know,
they've put a few boys down from their first team
and obviously a talented bunch of young boys trying to
push for pro contracts. So yeah, today is going to

(01:55):
be a very tough test, but something we're really looking
forward to. And yeah, hopefully we can, like I said,
maximize the points.

Speaker 2 (02:01):
You're the captain of the side. How heavily does that
weigh on you going in to affecture?

Speaker 4 (02:08):
I mean I've never really yeah thought how Yeah, you know.

Speaker 3 (02:11):
It's like a big responsibility obviously it's a huge honor
for me being the captain of the club and something
take huge pride in.

Speaker 4 (02:16):
But no, I don't think the weight's just on my shoulders.

Speaker 3 (02:19):
You know, we've got lots of leaders in the team
and the club, so yeah, I think all the experienced
boys and even the young boys.

Speaker 4 (02:25):
You know, they've done so well for us this year.

Speaker 3 (02:27):
So like I said, it will be a whole team
collective if it this afternoon.

Speaker 2 (02:31):
So you've got to win. You need the points, you
need maximum points. This gold diffrenchily ever come to this
at any stage and you need to peep of the
net in the last forty five.

Speaker 4 (02:40):
Yeah, I'm not sure.

Speaker 3 (02:41):
Actually, I think it might have changed back to head
to hit when it comes down to points. I think
it used to be gold difference. But I think it's
going to head to hit now, so we could be
all right depending yet, But I don't know.

Speaker 4 (02:52):
They're changing the rules every year. So who knows.

Speaker 2 (02:54):
You're the captain, bro, you're supposed to know. We looked
to you for a spirit and enthusiasm and knowledge how
hard you're going to get ripped on the park tonight
by your teammates and your today.

Speaker 3 (03:05):
Yeah, we try not to leave it to the goal
difference or head to head, you know, to try and
make it clean, clean cut by more points than the opposition.

Speaker 2 (03:13):
So you've done the mass, so you know what actually
has to occur, and you're convinced that if you can't
get it done today and even a result, it's all over.
Is that the basic mass?

Speaker 3 (03:22):
Is it?

Speaker 4 (03:23):
Yeah?

Speaker 3 (03:24):
Well, I think you know, in this league, everyone's sort
of been everyone, so it's probably if we've won all
three games and a few other teams sort of lose
some points or drop points, we definitely have a chance.

Speaker 4 (03:34):
But yeah, nothing's sent and sown at the moment.

Speaker 3 (03:36):
I mean, if the two or couple of teams above
us go and win all their games, then yeah, that's
us done. But yeah, we can only do what we
can see in front of us, and that's three games.

Speaker 4 (03:46):
Points and yeah we'll let the football goals do the rest.

Speaker 3 (03:49):
So hopefully that books us another place into a Grand final,
and if not, then yeah, like I said, season over.

Speaker 2 (03:55):
Please tell us you know the format at the end,
I mean to finish top four, he goes Simmis in final.
How does that work?

Speaker 4 (04:01):
Yeah?

Speaker 3 (04:02):
Top top two and then just straight final and the
home team this year gets the home final.

Speaker 4 (04:08):
At their ground, so wow, another rule that's changed. Yes, yeah,
well you've got.

Speaker 2 (04:13):
Who you've got at the top of the baber, the
more Wellington Pirates and our Western Springs are up there
as well. Possible to war these guys in because they've
they both had five victories this year, these teams, so
they're plainly on their game, aren't they.

Speaker 3 (04:26):
Yeah, that's right. You know, they've had a good run
of games. But like I said, everyone's sort of been
around this year. So we've lucky enough got Western Springs
after this weekend and then I think they played Burkinghead
as well.

Speaker 4 (04:37):
So yeah, we're just hoping that we can maximize our points.

Speaker 3 (04:41):
Some other teams can do us a favor and yes,
let's hope hopefully that's enough.

Speaker 2 (04:45):
How important some Yahoo's on the sideline at Kivata Street.

Speaker 3 (04:50):
Yeah, Mike the bucket Man will be there, that's for sure,
and the two four eight service they'll be up there
singing their lungs out. So yeah, we'd appreciate any any
other support, that's for sure.

Speaker 4 (04:59):
Down there today.

Speaker 1 (05:02):
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