FCBARCELONA.CAT

12.11.2009 16:34

Auckland City: second appearance

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Auckland City are playing in the Clubs World Cup for the second time. Oddly enough, their last appearance was in 2006, when Barça also played.

The New Zealanders became Oceania champions last season by winning 9-2 on aggregate against Koloale FC Honiara of the Solomon Islands. Five goals in that match were scored by South African Keryn Jordan, one of the stars at the club along with young goalkeeper Jacob Spoonley, defender Ivan Vicelich, South Korean Ki Hyung Lee and Daniel Koprivcic.

Short history

Founded in 2004, Auckland City are the minnows of the tournament. They are all amateurs apart from defender Vicelich, midfielder Ki Hyung Lee and Australian Pasquale Polistina. Nevertheless, they do have some New Zealand internationals in the side.

To defend last year’s league championship and also have a squad in condition to confront this World Cup in Dubai, Auckland City have signed eight new players this year, including Chilean Ricardo Monardez, signed from humble CD Villarejo in the Madrid regional leagues.

League under way

Trained by Paul Posa, Auckland are top of their league after two games. In the Oceania Champions League they have also started strongly, thrashing Manu Ura of Tahiti 5-0 and beating Magenta of New Caledonia as well.