-
Auckland City celebrate - Source: Reuters
Oceania club champions Auckland City stunned hosts Al Ahli 2-0
in Abu Dhabi on Thursday to become the first New Zealand soccer
side to win a game at the Club World Cup.
A tap in by Adam Dickinson just before the break and a piece of
individual brilliance by Chad Coombes in the second half proved to
be the difference as coach Paul Posa's side silenced the home crowd
at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium.
Auckland City now progress to the quarterfinals where they will
face Mexico's Atlante on Sunday (NZT) having already assured
themselves of a pay day worth $US1 million ($NZ1.42
million).
Posa said his team went into the game with an attacking mindset,
eager to set the record straight after failing to score a goal in
their only other appearance at the competition in
2006.
"We played out of skins tonight, we created the chances and we put
them away," Posa said.
"Chad's goal was outstanding but overall it was a team effort and
I'm incredibly proud of the players.
"We've worked hard as a club to get preparations right for this
tournament and it's great to see that pay off. I think the win was
well deserved."
Auckland City had the best opening chance of the game in the 18th
minute when left back Ian Hogg laid the ball off for Dickinson,
whose low shot from 6m was blocked by goalkeeper Yosif
Abdalla.
Dangerous
The New Zealanders spent much of the first half defending as Al
Ahli enjoyed plenty of possession and looked dangerous going
forward through Brazilian striker Bare.
The United Arab Emirates club champions almost had the breakthrough
in the 26th minute when Hassan's volley flashed just wide of
goalkeeper Jacob Spoonley's left-hand
upright.
Listen to this week's TalkFootball podcast
where the team discuss the All Whites World Cup draw and
more
It looked as if the first half would be a stalemate but just before
the break Auckland City struck a decisive
blow.
Jason Hayne, who was superb throughout, went on a surging run down
the right and sent a perfect ball to the far post where Dickinson
calmly cushioned the ball into the back of the
net.
Al Ahli almost grabbed an instant equaliser when captain Salem
Khamis latched on to a rebound but the midfielder, who had an open
goal in front of him, somehow sliced the ball over the bar.
Auckland City doubled their lead in the 67th minute when Coombes
cut inside his marker and blasted a left-foot shot into the roof of
the net from 25m.
The attacking-minded Coombes had a strong game at right back
replacing regular starter James Pritchett, who was ruled out at the
last minute due to a hamstring strain.
Al Ahli tried to force their way back into the game but Auckland's
defence, led by All White Ivan Vicelich, held
strong.
Hogg played superbly down the left while Matt Williams, Adam
McGeorge and Ki-Hyung Lee battled well in
midfield.
The statistics did not reflect the scoreline with Auckland City
claiming only 41 percent of possession and hitting 16 shots to Al
Ahli's 24, but that will not matter to Posa and his amateur
squad.
