Soccer: Auckland have to wait for opponent

Auckland City plays two games before departing for the Club World Cup in Japan. Photo / Sarah Ivey

The draw for next month's Club World Cup will be made tomorrow but Auckland City won't know their opponents for some time yet.

The Oceania champions join a stellar cast in a draw that include European giants FC Barcelona, Asia's Al-Sadd, Africa's Esperance, Club du Futbol Monterrey of Mexico and Brazil's Santos and the as-yet unknown J-League winners.

Despite the pomp of the draw ceremony, Auckland coach Ramon Tribulietx already knows they will play the winners of the J-League in Toyota City on December 8. It's the specific identity of those opponents that remains a mystery.

"Whichever J-League team we draw will be very difficult to beat,'' Tribulietx said, "we train everyday and tailor the players programmes to fit with their jobs and study commitments. But the players are excited - but it is a positive excitement - I think it's healthy.''

Two points separate Kashiwa Reysol, Nagoya Grampus Eight and Gamba Osaka in a three-way chase for the J-League title with three rounds left.

"It will be more difficult this time,'' Tribulietx said. "It's the Japanese champions on their own ground. But we're leaving nothing to chance and we'll be prepared for the game. We're ambitious and believe we're a good team. We're going to give it our best effort.

Auckland City has overcome similar odds before.

Two years ago, a 3-0 defeat to Mexico's Atlante was bookended by a 2-0 win over Al Ahli and a 3-2 win over African champs TP Mazembe - a side who finished runners-up to Inter Milan last year - to achieve an astonishing fifth-placed finish. They also picked up US$1.5 million.

"What we achieved in Abu Dhabi in 2009 doesn't happen very often so we must be realistic about our chances,'' Tribulietx said. "Anytime an amateur team plays a professional side, you have a tough game.''

If Auckland City pull off an upset win, they must then back up for a quarter-final showdown with either Esperance, Al-Sadd or Monterrey just two days later.

"We have to concentrate on the first game and worry about the second one when and if it happens. I think everybody is aware the challenge is different this time playing the J-League winners first. There is no pressure to repeat what we did two years ago,'' Tribulietx said.

Auckland City plays two games before departing for Japan.

On Saturday, they host Hekari United of Papua New Guinea in the O-League before their final ASB Premiership game with YoungHeart Manawatu on Sunday week, also at home.