KEY POINTS:
Fears that a sub-par effort from Auckland City could threaten Oceania's ongoing appearance at the Fifa Club World Cup were allayed with a battling effort against African giants Al Ahly yesterday.
City lost to the Egyptians but came out of the clash with some credit even if the gap between professional and amateur football was evident in a game played in front of 29,912 spectators in Japan's Toyota City.
"We were never short of endeavour but we were just outplayed and it told on us on a couple of occasions," said City coach Allan Jones. "That's the difference between our club and their club, our league and their league, our country and their country."
City battled bravely throughout the first half despite being whistled off the park by Saudi referee Khalil Al Ghamdi.
They held the visitors scoreless for the opening 45 minutes - thanks mainly to outstanding play from central defender Jonathan Perry - and showed that despite the gap between the two confederations, the Oceania representative were worthy opponents.
Vital tackles from Perry and hard-working midfielder Paul Seaman kept City in the game at the break
The turning point came six minutes into the second spell.
As Jones was attempting to get Ben Sigmund on to replace defender Riki van Steeden who had pulled up with a serious hamstring injury, the Egyptians pounced on a bungled City clearance and Angolan international Flavio whipped his shot past hapless City custodian Ross Nicholson.
City's comeback hopes were dashed in the 73rd minute when, from another of the 28 freekicks the referee handed Al Ahly, Mohamed Aboutrika curled a classy free-kick into the City goal to show why the midfield general has, along with Drogba, Etoo, Essien and Kanu been nominated for the much sought after African Player of the Year award.
Down, but far from out, Jones, called into coach the side at the last minute, quickly looked ahead and the chance of a fifth-place finish in Friday's fifth-sixth playoff in Tokyo.
While his players sped to Tokyo on the bullet train yesterday, Jones and assistants Craig Alexander and Paul Marshall watched the overnight clash between Korean side Jeonbuk Motors FC and Concacaf representatives Club America (Mexico).
The extra US$500,000 - the difference between fifth and sixth - is incentive enough for Jones and his players.
A half-decent effort on the field is even more important.
"Club America is a far bigger club than Al Ahly and still one of the biggest developmental clubs in the world," said Jones. "And, of course, South Korea, through the development of the K-League, has really enhanced their game domestically, which was reflected in their strong showings at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups."
Jones will almost certainly have to reshuffle the pack for Friday's game with Van Steeden, Seaman (hip) and Jason Hayne (ankle) facing fitness tests.
Ever the optimist, Jones refuses to concede anything.
"They'll get up for it, they have done so before," he said. "They will not be fazed, they won't lie down. I have no doubts about the players' attitudes."
Against Al Ahly, City were on the wrong side of most stats although they did win the corner count 3-2. They were pulled up by Al Ghamdi for 28 fouls compared with the only eight awarded against the African champions. City had four players booked, Al Ahly two.
City were ruled offside four times to one and, in shots, they trailed 4-19 and had just 35 per cent possession to their opponents 65 per cent.
Japanese star midfielder Teruo Iwamoto was one of three substitutes given time by Jones. He replaced Keryn Jordan 11 minutes into the second half. Jordan, after 26 minutes, was the first City player to be booked.
* The playoff for fifth and sixth is on Friday. Auckland City v Jeonbuk Motors FC (Korea) or Club America (Mexico)
