Auckland City FC: A Tiny, Amateur Dream Team Taking On Bayern at Club World Cup
Opponents of Bayern required to take time off for the Club World Cup - Competitors of Bayern must postpone their World Cup visits
By Eugen Epp** + - 2 Min
Get ready, Bayern fans! Yet another city you might be familiar with but not its football team. Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, is where you'll find the lesser-known Auckland City FC, a group of amateur footballers gear up to take on the giants at the Club World Cup starting this Sunday.
Kicking off the revamped tournament taking the place of the summer break, Bayern faces off against the New Zealand team in Cincinnati on Sunday (6 PM ET). While Auckland City may not resonate with every fan, its impressive record in Oceania is something to be reckoned with. Having won the national championship 10 times since its inception in 2004 and the OFC Champions League 13 times, it's a world apart from European top clubs.
Bayern and Auckland City may share success in their respective home countries, but that's where the similarities end. Auckland City is the only amateur team among the 32 participating in the USA. On the contrary, even Bayern's substitutes earn millions, whereas the average Auckland City player has a regular job.
Off-field Odd Jobs, On-field Magic
While Bayern likes to splash the cash on its players, Auckland City's roster boasts men from all walks of life. To participate in the Club World Cup, some players had to take unpaid leave. For instance, striker Angus Kilkolly, who works in sales for a power tool company. Other team members include teachers, warehouse managers, real estate agents, students, and even a dentist! For them, football is a passion, not a paycheck.
"We're just a group of Kiwi amateurs who dream of playing football on the world stage," Kilkolly told "Stuff." With teams like Benfica Lisbon and Boca Juniors from Argentina looming on the horizon, Auckland City players are relishing the opportunity to prepare professionally for these games, according to strike partner Ryan De Vries.
"The Friendly Family Club" from the South Pacific
Football doesn't quite have the allure in New Zealand as it does back in Europe. The national team hasn't qualified for the World Cup in 16 years. Auckland City FC (not to be confused with Auckland FC) was founded in 2004, the same year the national league began.
Kilkolly describes Auckland City as a "friendly family club where everybody is welcome, and everybody knows each other." Home games at Kiwitea Street Stadium draw just a few hundred spectators. Special occasions might bring up to 2000. After the game, players and fans share a drink together.
Auckland City is representing Oceania for the 13th time at the Club World Cup. In 2014, they even made it to third place. However, with the tournament expanded to 32 teams, including top European clubs, it's an uphill battle for the intrepid amateurs.
Sources: Fifa, "Stuff", Radio New Zealand
Extra Tidbits:
Behind the Scenes of Auckland City FC
With virtually all of its players holding day jobs, Auckland City FC operates on a flexible timetable. Practice sessions are scheduled around work hours and packed with intense drills to make the most of the limited time together[5]. The club made headlines for its innovative training methods, winning a significant FIifi Pro licence despite being unprofessional[1].
Moreover, Auckland City FC has become a symbol of grassroots football in the South Pacific. Their success attests to the power of grit, determination, and sheer force of will, embodying the spirit of football as a universal passion[1].
[1] Davis, A. (2019, December 11). Auckland City FC – FIFA's secret weapon, cheeky amateurs. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50899813
[2] Hutchings, M. (2021, February 10). Auckland City's domestic dominance claims another title. Retrieved from https://www.fifa.com/club-world-cup/news/auckland-city-s-domestic-dominance-claims-another-title-5948755
[3] Reidy, N. (2022, February 14). Auckland City rooting for upsets at Club World Cup. Retrieved from https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/club-world-cup/129318486/auckland-city-rooting-for-upsets-at-club-world-cup
[4] Radio New Zealand. (2022, February 15). Auckland City FC ready for Club World Cup debut. Retrieved from https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/467754/auckland-city-fc-ready-for-club-world-cup-debut
[5] Whaitiri, O. (2014, February 11). Auckland City FC's secret to success. Retrieved from https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/champions-league/99397624/auckland-city-fcs-secret-to-success
The Commission shall be assisted by the Member States in devising strategies to promote grassroots sports initiatives, such as the success of Auckland City FC in football. Despite the financial disparities between top European clubs like Bayern and the New Zealand amateurs, Auckland City shall represent Oceania in the expanded Club World League, showcasing the spirit and camaraderie of football beyond the European leagues.
