City dare to dream again on world stage

Auckland City will again try to work miracles on the world stage in the Club World Cup tomorrow morning (NZT).

Given the resources of the competing teams — which include the champions of Europe, South America, Asia and Africa, it should be mission impossible for the Oceania team.

Logically, Auckland City’s group of semi-professional and amateur players should be blown off the park by the fully professional, cashed-up teams they face. But each year they punch above their weight, setting a new standard for teams from this country.

In 2009, they beat African champions TP Mazembe 3-2; held Moroccan side Raja Casablanca until the 93rd minute in 2013 and last year took the lead against J-League side Kashima Antlers, who have an annual operating budget of more than US$50 million.

The gold standard was in Morocco in 2014, where Auckland City topped the Moroccan, African and North American champions to finish third, and Ivan Vicelich received the bronze ball, on stage alongside Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Tomorrow they face UAE champions Al Jazira. The Gulf club boast ex-Real Madrid and French international Lassana Diarra and also Moroccan forward Moubarak Boussoufa. They are guided by former Barcelona and Chelsea assist- ant Henk ten Cate.

“They are a very strong team,” said Auckland City defender Dan Morgan. “But we have to back ourselves to compete well, and go from there.”

Morgan epitomises the challenge Auckland City faces. In any normal week the 27-yearold works 7.30am-4pm for an electrical goods wholesaler, before racing across town to evening training sessions. “I maybe get an hour in between and then go to training,” said Morgan. “It’s an early start and a late finish but you get used to it.”

Coach Ramon Tribulietx insists on at least five sessions a week in the three months leading into the tournament; a considerable load for those juggling full-time work.

The visit to the UAE has special significance for Morgan, who is the only surviving player from the 2009 team that upset TP Mazembe. Morgan came on at halftime in that match, and laid on the pass for Riki van Steeden’s famous 95th minute winner.

Soon after the tournament Morgan confined himself to winter football for a few seasons before his comeback last year with Waitakere. “It’s amazing to be back at a Club World Cup,” he said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I have got to have twice. It’s great to go back to the same place and able to relive how it was in 2009, and hopefully the same, or even better result than last time.”