Auckland FC’s star captain Hiroki Sakai is not straying from his pre-season “target” of a top-six finish even in the midst of the Isuzu UTE A-League newcomers’ history-making start to 2024-25.
The Black Knights have shattered all kinds of records, having won all six of their league fixtures so far to sit stop the standings – including a 38-year-old national league record for the longest time without conceding a goal to begin a season.
This weekend Auckland could tick off another record if they beat Melbourne City at AAMI Park on Sunday – a result that would see them match the 2006-07 Melbourne Victory team for the most wins to start an Isuzu UTE A-League campaign.
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“Yeah because we are a new team,” Sakai replied when asked if Auckland’s start to the season had surprised him.
“I came here and my target is top six in the league but I don’t know, people now maybe expect champions or final, or semi-final.
“But as I said, we have to stay humble.”
Asked if his “target” had changed, Sakai – a veteran of three FIFA Men’s World Cups with Japan – replied with a smile: “No. My target is top six.”
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“The most important thing is we keep a great attitude. This is important. We are not so strong, we are not champions yet,” former Urawa Reds and Marseille full-back Sakai continued.
“For example Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC, they are quite strong teams as a team. We are a new team so we have to stay humble with a good attitude.
“Keep working hard.”
