Auckland City knocked out of Club World Cup

Auckland City FC's Ryan De Vries centre, battles with Sanfrecce Hiroshima's Kosei Shibasaki, left, and Yoshifumi Kashiwa, right. Photo / AP

Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2 Auckland City 0
Football's normal world order is restored, as Auckland City have been beaten 2-0 by J-League champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the opening game of the 2015 Club World Cup.

It was always going to be a struggle to emulate last year's heroics in Morocco; that was surreal, almost unbelievable, and as coach Ramon Tribulietx said pre-match, they would have to "make sure normality doesn't prevail again".

That never looked likely. Auckland City conceded in the ninth minute - there was a hint of offside about the goal but keeper Jacob Spoonley was also at fault as he fumbled an attempted punch, allowing a simple tap in. That released the pressure valve on the home side, who were content to sit back for the rest of the match. The Oceania champions created some half chances as they tried to get back into the match but Hiroshima always looked more likely, though their second goal was soft in the circumstances, as Spoonley was beaten from a narrow angle at his near post in the 70th minute.

Unlike most of Auckland City's opponents in 2014, Hiroshima had done their homework.

Even before their early goal, they were willing to let Auckland City have the ball, happy to sit deep and back themselves to break quickly. It was quite a sight - the J- League champions playing at home with nine, or sometimes ten men behind the ball. But it was a clever tactic, because as soon as they regained possession they launched lightning counter attacks. It's been their trademark all season domestically and you could see why.

Their two wingers terrorized Auckland fullbacks Takuya Iwata and Daewook Kim, with Iwata in particular struggling with the pace of Yoshifumi Kashiwa.

Last year Auckland City went more than 250 minutes without conceding a goal in Morocco, which was the critical factor in their eventual success. Last night it was only nine minutes before the dam burst, as Kashiwa - who was a menace all night - cut inside and unleashed a shot from 25 yards out. In the greasy conditions Spoonley had two choices - a clean catch or a strong punch.

However he did neither and the ball fell to Yusuke Minagawa, who tapped in from three yards.

The Cameroon officials were also caught out, as it looked like at least two of the Hiroshima attackers were offside as the shot came in. The goal changed the game, as until then the ASB Premiership side had been holding their own. Auckland City continued to dominate possession - with Micah Leaalafa looking particularly dangerous - but couldn't force any clear opportunities.

Leaalafa was brought down on the edge of the area - perilously close to a penalty - but the visitors found no profit from the free kick. That was a disappointing aspect of the match; Auckland City had several set piece opportunities but the delivery wasn't of the quality required at this level.

In the second half Auckland City were walking the tightrope; they had to push forward and create more opportunities, but couldn't afford to leave the door ajar for Hiroshima at the back. Spoonley redeemed himself somewhat with two fine saves but the curse of goal keeping means you can't afford even a single mistake and the deflected shot for the second goal - which Tsukasa Shiotani squeezed under his body - will be an unfortunate memory.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2 (Y Minagawa, T Shiotani)
Auckland City 0
Halftime: 1-0