Auckland City undeserved losers in UAE
Michael Burgess
In their proud history, this will go down as Auckland City’s most bitter defeat.
The 1-0 reverse against Al Jazira yesterday is the kind of loss that can keep players awake at night in the offseason.
Making their seventh consecutive appearance at the Fifa Club World Cup, Auckland City were dominant against United Arab Emirates champions Al Jazira. And they didn’t just shade them, they were superior by a country mile.
Even Al Jazira coach Henk ten Cate admitted as much after the game, saying: “They were the better side but sometimes the better side doesn’t win.”
It’s hard to remember any New Zealand team that created so many opportunities in a game on the world stage, with 17 shots on the Al Jazira goal, including seven on target.
But they couldn’t find an equaliser, thanks to the superb efforts of keeper Ali Khaseif and some less than clinical finishing.
Ryan De Vries missed a couple of chances that he routinely puts away in the ISPS Handa Premiership, while teenager Callum McCowatt will rue not making more of a great first half opportunity.
Emiliano Tade also couldn’t find his usually lethal touch in front of goal, while Cameron Howieson was denied by a wonderful save from Khaseif, after he connected well from outside the box.
After the initial disappointment wears off, Auckland City will also be proud of their performance.
It’s almost taken for granted due to their ongoing excellence over the years but the Sandringham-based club again raised their game several levels to compete on the world stage.
They matched and then dominated a professional side with a budget and resources that aren’t close to comparable.
And their composed play in possession and ability to create genuine chances was a pleasure to watch, and quite rare for a team from this country on the world stage.