Soccer: Bonus payday looms for Auckland City

Auckland City have been handed a free shot at a second US$1 million ($1.61 million) windfall next year - without having to qualify.

Auckland won the Oceania confederation spot for December's World Club Cup at a tournament in Auckland last May.

Oceania has changed the format to home and away and wanted the names of the clubs from Tahiti, Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, the Solomon Islands and New Zealand by November 5. As New Zealand's domestic championship does not start until October 14, New Zealand Soccer yesterday revealed the other seven clubs have agreed Auckland will be their representative in the Oceania Champions League, which will run from January to April on a home and away basis.

There is a financial advantage for the seven. They split 30 per cent of the seven-figure cheque this year, and that will double if Auckland repeat their success next April. The winner of the upcoming national championship will take New Zealand's spot in the 2008 Oceania league.

"Practically speaking it's the only option open to us," NZS chief executive Graham Seatter said yesterday.

Auckland City will be into the champions league competition soon after returning from Japan, where they play Mexico's Club America in their opening game on December 11.

* The Knights get a chance to assess their progress when they play their final group game in the Pre-Season Cup against A-League champions Sydney FC at North Harbour Stadium today.

The Knights have picked up draws against Newcastle Jets and Queensland Roar, but Sydney should be their toughest challenge so far. The game is at 2pm.