7 Dec 2017

Auckland City out of Club World Cup

11:39 am on 7 December 2017

Auckland City have been eliminated from the Fifa Club World Cup in the UAE after going down 1-nil to local side Al Jazira.

Auckland City coach Ramon Tribulietx and captain Angel Luis Viña Berlanga pose with the OFC trophy.

Auckland City coach Ramon Tribulietx and captain Angel Luis Viña Berlanga pose with the OFC trophy. Photo: Photosport

Auckland dominated possession and shots on goal, but couldn't hit the back of the net.

Auckland, making a record ninth appearance, started the encounter the brighter.

Emiliano Tade, veteran of seven of those tournaments and equalling a club record tenth appearance, laid off to Ryan De Vries, who saw his effort deflected wide. The No10 turned provider as Callum McCourt had the clearest chance of the half, but his strike from 12 yards was too close to Ali Khaseif.

It was a miss which was duly punished. Romarinho, linking well with Ali Mabkhout, converted Al Jazira's first shot of the night in lethal fashion. The 2012 Club World Cup winner (with Corinthians) fizzed a low drive from all of 30 yards into the bottom left corner to send the Abu Dhabi side ahead at the break.

The Navy Blues again began the stronger when they reemerged, with Cameron Howieson drawing a fine save from Khaseif, diving low to his left to tip it round the post. They remained the principle aggressors as the clock ticked down, with a golden chance falling to De Vries as he diverted a cross straight at Khaseif from five yards out.

Auckland had 7 shots on goal compared to 2 from Al Jazira.

Auckland City FC coach Ramon Tribulietx said it was a fine performance from his team.

"We dominated the game, clearly, but sometimes the games go like this. They had one shot at goal (in the first half) and they scored it," he said.

"But we have to be very proud of what we've done. We've proved to ourselves we can play at this level and play good football."

Al Jazira counterpart Henk ten Cate could sympathise with Tribulietx.

"Today they were the best side but sometimes the best team doesn't win," he said.

Al Jazira will go on to face Japanese club Urawa Red Diamonds in the next round.