The Herald's Michael Burgess offers three talking points from Auckland City's 2-0 Club World Cup defeat to Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
No margin for error: At this level there is no room for mistakes and Auckland City paid dearly with the concession of their first goal. The Oceania champions needed to keep their goal intact until well into the second half to build scoreboard pressure; that was the modus operandi last year in Morocco and even in 2012 against Sanfrecce they had held firm until the 60th minute. But they conceded a goal after nine minutes - after goal keeper Jacob Spoonley miscued an attempted punch of a long range shot, allowing a simple tap in from the rebound. To add salt to the wound the goal scorer appeared to clearly offside, with the Fifa television coverage at the stadium tellingly avoiding any replays in the immediate aftermath of the play.
Superb Sanfrecce: As had been predicted before the match, Sanfrecce Hiroshima were an extremely difficult opponent for Auckland City. Hiroshima, who have been champions of Japan for three of the last four season, were very solid in defence, putting most of their team behind the ball and then superb on the counter attack, launching lightning strikes every time they got possession. They looked much improved from the team that Auckland City faced in 2012 and have the potential to go deep into this competition.
Youngsters shine: Amid the disappointment of defeat, midfielders Te Atawhai Wihongi-Hudson and Micah Leaalafa were particular standouts. They showed no fear on such a big stage, with Leaalafa looking dangerous every time he received the ball as his defender tended to back off. Meanwhile Wihongi-Hudson, who had to fill the grand shoes of Ivan Vicelich in the holding midfield position, barely put a foot wrong in an energetic display.
