The New Zealanders are now entering their fourth ever Club World Cup making them the joint record holders with Al Ahly of Egypt. So what can you expect from the North Island side with a touch of Spanish flair?
Auckland City go into the opening game of the Club World Cup as one of the record entrants into the competition. The New Zealand side will be representing the Oceania delegation for the fourth time since 2006 after winning the 2012 OFC Champions League; toppling Tahiti side AS Tefana 3-1 over a two legged final. Of course Auckland have benefited from Australia’s decision to join the Asian delegation back in 05-06; which has seen them avoid A-League sides who could carry a much higher threat to their standing as the best club team in the region.
As it stands however Auckland City are the OFC representatives and can call on plenty of experience for their opening game. They will need to as well as the Club World Cup is a straight elimination competition and they will be out of the running with defeat in the opening fixture at the International Stadium in Yokohama.
They currently have New Zealand’s record appearance holder Ivan Vicelich in the side and the team’s captain is vital to their success. As he has mentioned in interviews the New Zealand league is amateur in its form and they know to get past the professionals at J-League champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
If they do you can be sure a large part of their success will be down to a Spanish influence. The club is managed by Spaniard Ramon Tribulietx and he has acquired several talented Spanish players during his tenure. Albert Riera, not the former Liverpool player, was named the player of the tournament at the OFC Champions League last season and will be crucial in the Auckland midfield.
The top-scorer and main goal threat is Manuel Exposito. The former Barcelona B player made his senior debut for Barca with Lionel Messi back in 2003 but these days he settles for smashing in the goals on the North Island along with another Argentine in Emiliano Tade.
Other players to keep an eye on include former Sporting Gijon midfielder Pedro Garcia and forward Daniel Koprivcic.
City are undoubtedly the minnows at the competition but they will be happy just to beat Sanfrecce and advance to the second round, similar to their result against Al-Ahli of U.A.E in 2006.
The manager knows it will be tough and spoke of his hopes earlier in the week:
‘’We know it’ll be tough since they’ve got some of the most skilful players in the Japanese league in their ranks. We’ll prepare as best we can and then see how it goes. Anything can happen in football, and we’ll give it our best,”
So can the New Zealanders with a Spanish twist upset the applecart?
images: © twicepix, © doggiesrule04
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