Couldn't agree more Jeff AK City will still win the ASB Premiership playing the way they do but not because of the style of football but because they have all these imports, but the squad is showing signs of wear n tear the back four look slow midfield is ho hum Billen is slow and a moaner and up front the Portuguese boy is off the pace at the moment.You get the felling Ramon doesn't care because he knows he will be back next year.I take it Pritchett has retired but Where is Hogg read on a website hes gone to Amicale is this true.
AkCity FC At The FIFA World Club Cup
I had heard that Hogg had gone to Amicale. I have heard that Pritch was tired of being one of the long serving guys that performed and then never played.
ACFC are a good side and well resourced. As much as people say it's hard for ACFC to compete against a well resourced side like Hiroshima, it's hard for ASBP sides to compete against a well resourced ACFC that starts 8 imports and have others that don't make the match day squad. That's not a knock against ACFC but it does show an imbalance in a competition that badly needs balance. HBU are 2nd but today looked awful on TV.
Ramon is a smart guy and a good coach. He does drive players away and has run a few out of the club but he keeps winning. He'll stick while the cash is there and there is a CWC junket for him. What he needs now it to ditch some of those old favourites like Berlanga and Billen for quicker models. I'm kinda not surprised that Roar did not grab him because they will be able to attract better coaches and you can't say Aloisi is not working out. He would do ok at CCM where they badly need a style injection.
Sky have all the games of the Club World Cup this year.
About to start: Club America v Guangzhou Evergrande
Sky Sport pop-up ch. 55
At 11.20 pm:
Sanfrecce Hiroshima v TP Mazembe (ch. 55)
Be interesting to see what eventuates.
I think Ramon to Adelaide
3rd/ 4th play-off just kicking off Sky Sport 1
Ref is Matt Conger from New Zild
Tongan and Kiwi assistant refs too.
The most any of these two wealthy Asian sides can attain is finishing the same as Auckland last year.
I'll miss being able to call Auckland City "the third best team in the world."
Final at 11.20 am Sky Sport 1
All matches live on Sky TV.
8 am Thursday Sky Sport One ch. 51: Opening match - Auckland City vs. Al-Ahly (Egypt)
Nikko Boxall and Dan Morgan return from overseas to join Auckland City for the Club World Cup
The 2023 edition will be the last one played with the current format, making way for a new expanded version in June 2025 (more details in article).
(Add one day for NZT).
Al Ahly were beaten finalists in the CAF Champions League with Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca taking the honours so with Morocco hosting the tournament, and no participating nation able to field two clubs, Al Ahly slotted in to the position usualy reserved for the host nation's league champions.
Date Round Match
Wed, Feb. 1 | 1st Round | Al Ahly vs. Auckland City
Sat, Feb. 4 | 2nd Round | Seattle Sounders vs. Al Ahly/Auckland
Sat, Feb. 4 | 2nd Round | Wydad Casablanca vs. Al Hilal
Tue, Feb. 7 | Semifinal | Flamengo vs. Wydad/Al Hilal
Wed, Feb. 8 | Semifinal | Seattle/Al Ahly/Auckland vs. Real Madrid
Sat, Feb. 11 | Third Place | Semifinal 1 loser vs. Semifinal 2 loser
Sat, Feb. 11 | Final | Semifinal 1 winner vs. Semifinal 2 winner
Auckland City spent a week in camp in Salou, Catalonia and in Barcelona (arranged via their previous contacts and former coach Ramon Tribulietx).
Training venue is oldest in Africa (110 years) home of Moghreb Atlético Tetuán (1922) & only Arabic & African team to play in Spanish league (1951-52) & home of Moghreb Atlético Tetuán
Latest news, photos, videos and article links:
https://twitter.com/AucklandCity_FC
and here:
https://www.facebook.com/thenavyblues/
and the club website:
https://www.aucklandcityfc.com/news/
Official tournament website:
https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/tournaments/mens/fifa-club-world-cup/morocco-2022
Albert Riera's pre-match press conference and info on Thursday's match:
https://www.aucklandcityfc.com/news/1896/12/Preview-Albert-Riera-looks-ahead-to-Club-World-Cup-/
Auckland City FC squad for FIFA Club World Cup (Name; Position; ACFC Club Apps/Goals)
2. Mario ILICH (M) - 84/7
3. Adam MITCHELL (D) - 85/6
4. Christian GRAY (D) - 12/0
5. Nikko BOXALL (D) - 3/0
7. Cam HOWIESON (M) - 149/30
8. Gerard GARRIGA (M) - 34/4
9. Angus KILKOLLY (F) - 51/33
10. Dylan MANICKUM (F) - 103/39
11. Ryan DE VRIES (F) - 150/66
12. Regont MURATI (D) - 3/0
13. Nathan LOBO (D) - 25/2
14. Jordan VALE (D) - 99/7
15. Aidan CAREY (D) - 54/2
16. Joe LEE (F) - 42/10
17. Reid DRAKE (M) - 125/19
18. Finn DOCKERTY (GK) - 0/0
19. Liam GILLION (F) - 30/5
20. Emiliano TADE (F) - 222/145
21. Michael DEN HEIJER (D-M) - 24/0
23. Matt ELLIS (M) - 19/10
24. Cam BROWN (GK) - 37/0
25. Takuya IWATA (D) - 148/2
ASSISTANT: Ivan VICELICH
GK COACH: Enaut ZUBIKARAI
TECHNICAL: Adria CASALS
TECHNICAL: Jarrod WALLACE
LOGISTICS: Keith COTON
PHYSIO: Matt PAYNE
DOCTOR: Dr. Craig EDWARDS
https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/articles/watch-the-fifa-club-world-cup-live-on-fifa
Auckland's opponents Al-Ahly have a perhaps surpriisng coach for an Egyptian team - the Swiss Marcel Koller, former Austria national coach (2011 - 2017) and coach of Kon and Bochum in the Bundesliga, as well as Grasshoppers and Basel in his native country.
He took Austria to Euro 2016 and their best-ever FIFA ranking of tenth.
Koller was a teammate of Wynton Rufer at Grasshoppers Zurich in the 1980's.
But actually Al-Ahly have had a lot of British and European (German, Portuguese, Swiss) managers the last forty years - even Don Revie of Leeds and England fame.
Most of their foreign managers have lasted only a few months or a year or two though.
Previous encumbant, the Portuguese Ricardo Soares, lasted only two months.
Koller has only been in charge since October last year.
Al-Ahly squad:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Ahly_SC#Players
Nearly all Egyptian exept for Brazilian striker Bruno Savio, a Malian, two Tunisians, an Algerian and a South African.
The South African international striker Percy Tau was on the books of Brighton and Hove Albion until recently but mostly played out on loan to major Belgian sides for three seasons..
Tracey - Vale, Mitchell, Boxall, Morgan - Garriga, Ilich, Howieson - Manickum, de Vries, Tade
Dunno if he impressed me that much to offer him a contract
To be fair even against NL teams AC always set up a bit like that, they aren't the most exciting team to watch in my opinion.
Thought they made an ok account of themselves but man I'd love to see some other teams get a crack at it.
Well I look forward to that, a genuinely fun team to watch.
Yes FIFA want the next one in 2025, then presumably 2029. But UEFA could be against the change. I guess 2025 is year that doesn't clash with either Euros (2024) or the WC (2026)
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/02/01/football/club-world-cup-real-madrid-morocco-spt-intl/index.html
Perhaps lost amidst the hysteria of Lionel Messi winning his first World Cup title was the announcement made by FIFA president Gianni Infantino that the Club World Cup would be turned into a 32-team tournament played every four years, starting in 2025.
The Premier League maintains its position that it is, “committed to preventing any radical changes to the post-2024 FIFA international match calendar that would adversely affect player welfare and threaten the competitiveness, calendar, structures and traditions of domestic football.”
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-game/132882946/auckland-city-to-meet-freespending-saudi-arabian-team-al-ittihad-in-fifa-club-world-cup
Auckland City have been drawn to play the Saudi Arabian team in the FIFA Club World Cup that’s attempting to buy Mohamed Salah for a reported figure of more than NZ$400 million.
The draw on Tuesday (Wednesday NZ time) also included European champions Manchester City, Egyptian club Al Ahly, Club León from Mexico, the Urawa Reds from Japan, and the South American champions from the CONMEBOL federation who are yet to be determined.
Ronaldo's Al Nassr are 2nd in the league.
7am NZT Wednesday kickoff.
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/auckland-city-fc-prepare-for-the-ultimate-challenge-at-fifa-club-world-cup-in-jeddah/
Following their successful 2023 OFC Champions League campaign in Vanuatu, Auckland City FC will begin their FIFA Club World Cup adventure on Wednesday, facing off against 2022-23 Saudi Pro League champions, Al-Ittihad in Jeddah.
Yes, Wednesday morning is when Auckland City face their ultimate test.Al-Ittihad in the FIFA Club World Cup.This year’s tournament will be City’s 11th, the most attended by any club.
Benzema..............
N'Golo Kante - ex Chelsea, World Cup 2018 winner
Jota - Celtic's 2nd top goalscorer last season
Fabinho - ex Liverpool star, Brazil at World Cup 2022
Luiz Felipe - current Italy first choice centre-back
Live and on demand FIFA+ at 7 am Wednesday HERE:
https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/content/al-ittihad-fc-v-auckland-city-fc-first-round-fifa-club-world-cup-saudi-arabia-2023tm-live-stream-2023/7d530be9-f617-42b8-b7aa-4b0660711433
Video previews of match:
https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/showcase/auckland-city-at-fifa-club-world-cup-2023/53a13222-ef2f-4f14-99ac-a4544533c6c5
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2023/12/10/special-feature-auckland-city-skipper-cam-howiesons-big-big-dream/
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2023/12/11/brazilian-international-goalkeeper-we-know-auckland-will-be-tough-to-beat/
https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/tournaments/mens/fifa-club-world-cup/saudi-arabia-2023
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2023/12/08/star-studded-squad-named-to-face-auckland-city-at-fifa-club-world-cup/
Al-Ittihad meet Auckland City on Wednesday December 13 (NZT) with the winner earning a second-round tie against Egypt’s Al Ahly, who are the current African champions.
Auckland City have recently added solid Chinese Super League veteran midfielder Tong Zhou aged 33 to their squad:
Plus Vanuatu international centre-back Timothy Boulet, along with veteran Uruguayan goalie Sebastian Ciganda as back-up to Conor Tracey.
Squads:
Name / age / nationality
Al-Ittihad
Goalkeepers
1 Abdullah Al-Mayouf (36), Saudia Arabia
34 Marcelo Grohe (36), Brazil
88 Osama Mubarak Hajaj Al Marwash (20), Saudi Arabia
Defenders
4 Omar Othman (38), Saudi Arabia
5 Luiz Felipe (26), Italy
12 Zakaria Al Hawsawi (22), Saudi Arabia
13 Muhannad Alshanqiti (24), Saudi Arabia
15 Hassan Kadesh (31), Saudi Arabia
25 Suwailem Al Menhali (19), Saudi Arabia
26 Ahmed Hegazi (32), Egypt
28 Ahmed Bamasud (28), Saudi Arabia
33 Madallah Al-Olayan (29), Saudi Arabia
Midfielders
6 Sultan Al Farhan (27), Saudi Arabia
7 N’Golo Kante (32), France
8 Fabinho (30), Brazil
10 Igor Coronado (31), Brazil
16 Faisal AI Ghamdi (22), Saudi Arabia
17 Marwan Al Sahafi (19), Saudi Arabia
Forwards
9 Karim Benzema (35), France
11 Jota (24), Portugal
24 Abdulrahman Al-Obud (28), Saudi Arabia
77 Saleh Al-Jamaan (30), Saudi Arabia
90 Romarinho (32), Brazil
99 Abderrazak Hamdallah (32), Могоссо
Staff
Head coach: Marcelo Gallardo
Assistant coach: Matias Biscay
Auckland City
Goalkeepers
1 Conor Tracey (26), New Zealand
18 Joe Wallis (18), New Zealand
24 Sebastian Ciganda (30), Uruguay
Defenders
2 Mario Ilich (28), New Zealand
3 Adam Mitchell (27), New Zealand
4 Christian Gray (27), New Zealand
5 Timothy Boulet (25), Vanuatu
12 Regont Murati (27), New Zealand
13 Nathan Lobo (20), New Zealand
14 Jordan Vale (29), New Zealand
23 Alfie Rogers (28), New Zealand
Midfielders
7 Cam Howieson (captain), (29), New Zealand
8 Gerard Garriga (30), Spain
15 Aidan Carey (22), New Zealand
22 Tong Zhou (33), China PR
25 Michael Den Heijer (27), New Zealand
Forwards
9 Angus Kilkolly (27), New Zealand
10 Dylan Manickum (29), New Zealand
11 Ryan De Vries (32), New Zealand
16 Joe Lee (21), New Zealand
19 Liam Gillion (21), New Zealand
20 Emiliano Tade (35), Argentina
Staff
Head coach: Albert Riera
Assistant coach: Ivan Vicelich
Goalkeeper coach: Enaut Zubikarai
Auckland City: Conor Tracey; Jordan Vale, Adam Mitchell, Joe Lee, Nathan Lobo; Gerard Garriga, Michael Den Heijer, Cameron Howieson, Mario Ilich, Dylan Manickum; Angus Kilkolly.
Stats
If Emiliano Tade plays, he will equal Hussein Elshahat’s record of 12 Club World Cup appearances.
4
Karim Benzema has four Club World Cup goals to his name. Only Cesar Delgado (5), Lionel Messi (5), Luis Suarez (5), Gareth Bale (6) and Cristiano Ronaldo (7) have more. Benzema is bidding to become the first player to score in four editions of the competition.
3
Ittihad have three Club World Cup winners in their ranks. Karim Benzema won five titles with Real Madrid, Fabinho helped Liverpool conquer at Qatar 2019, and N’Golo Kante was central to Chelsea’s UAE 2021 triumph.