Kiwi football amateurs to face J-League champions

They struggle out of work and straight into training, but Auckland City's admirable amateurs hope to shine at the Club World Cup boosted by their giant-killing record and a dash of Latin flair. In 2009 at the world club competition, the New Zealand part-timers beat UAE champions Al Ahli and later stunned African title-holders TP Mazembe 3-2 in the play-off for fifth place, a result hailed as the greatest in their history. Auckland won their third Oceania title this year and are currently on target for their fifth domestic crown, under Barcelona-born coach Ramon Tribulietx and aided by an ex-Barcelona striker who once played with Lionel Messi. The motley crew of workers, students and even a former backpacker now have their sights set on Japan's J-League champions Kashiwa Reysol, against whom they will open the Club World Cup on Thursday. But captain Ivan Vicelich, an ever-present in New Zealand's unbeaten 2010 World Cup finals campaign, was keen to temper hopes of another upset. "It’s a difficult prospect to be honest, facing the Japanese champions," Vicelich told the FIFA.com website. "For a small amateur team like ours, it’s going to take something absolutely out of the ordinary to get any kind of result. "I don’t think the public back home understand how big an achievement it was winning two games in Abu Dhabi. And then we had New Zealand going unbeaten at the World Cup and drawing with Italy. Well, our task in Japan is just as formidable." Auckland got off to a winning start in Japan when they beat a university side in a friendly on Friday, but Vicelich and Tribulietx both know Kashiwa will be a challenge of a different order. However, the coach said his highly dedicated players successfully juggle daily training along with their away-from-football commitments, and had prepared well for the tournament. "What we did in Abu Dhabi doesn’t happen very often and we know it will be more difficult against the Japanese champions," Tribulietx said. "But we’re leaving nothing to chance. Although we’re amateurs, we are 100 percent committed to winning. We’re training every day, so the differences are minimal. "Most of our players work 40 hours per week, then train with us, and in some ways that’s tougher than being in a professional environment." Among Auckland's rough diamonds is Spanish striker Manel Exposito, who was once on Barcelona's books but several clubs later has now made a name for himself at homely Kiwitea Street, a world away from the Nou Camp. Vicelich provides defensive steel alongside Spaniard Angel Berlanga, while midfielders Albert Riera and Andreu Guerao also hail from Spain. And the Latin influence is strong up front with Exposito, Costa Rica's Luis Corrales and Argentine Emiliano Tade, who arrived in New Zealand on a working holiday and spent time washing dishes, all in the Club World Cup squad. For Vicelich it has already been a landmark month after the birth of his second child, which delayed his arrival in Japan. "I’ve played in many big games in my career but none of them compare with parenthood," he said. "I’m a very proud father for the second time, and now I can concentrate on the challenge awaiting us in Toyota City."