Dream Clash for Auckland City FC: Amateur Team Faces Top Clubs at Club World Cup
Team Advances to World Cup Without a Pro Experienced Footballer on Roster
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It's hard to imagine a more unlikely football duel: At the Club World Cup, Bayern Munich, one of the favorites, goes head-to-head with a team that doesn't have any professional footballers. In fact, some players will have to take unpaid leave for the tournament. For them, it's the trip of a lifetime.
Angus Kilkolly is a sales manager for an electric tool company. His workday starts at 7:30 am and usually ends at 9 pm. But on the side, Kilkolly plays football for Auckland City FC. He trains three to four times a week, and he doesn't receive a salary for this hobby - just a small reimbursement of about $90 a week.
That he's now competing against top teams from around the world, including superstars like Harry Kane, Lionel Messi, or Kylian Mbappé, is just a dream for amateur Kilkolly. "I have to take four weeks of unpaid vacation. I don't actually have that much vacation left, so it'll be an unpaid vacation," he told the AFP news agency.
Feels Like a Pro
But nearly everything is worth it for a game like the one against Bayern this Sunday (3 p.m. on Sat.1 and DAZN, liveticker at ntv.de) in Cincinnati. "It's an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Just standing on the same field as these teams is crazy," said Kilkolly. "It gives us the chance to compete on a global stage and feel like a professional footballer, without actually being one," the midfielder emphasized, smiling. "Without actually being one," he added with a laugh.
Football Fan Favorites Take On Financially Lopsided GiantsDennoch: The 13-time winners of the Oceanic Champions League, who have participated in the Club World Cup 12 times and even finished third in a different format in 2014, would love to throw a few surprise punches at the big boys. "We don't score many goals in New Zealand, so naturally it's our goal not to concede too many at the Club World Cup," said Kilkolly, who has a different goal for the tournament opener: He'd love to swap jerseys with Tottenham Hotspur striker Kane. "I think," he said with a smile, "he makes more in a week than I do in a year." If that's true, it might only be a single day.
Sport The Unlikely Brawl: The Club World Cup's Obscure Selection of Teams Causes Frustration ## David and Goliath Showdown
It's quite a showdown of David and Goliath proportions when Auckland takes on Bayern. The Munich team has a player value of approximately €903 million, with Jamal Musiala the most expensive at €140 million, compared to Kane's annual salary of €24 million. And Auckland's amateurs? Their worth is a mere €4.58 million, with no player valued above €275,000 according to transfermarkt.de.
While Bayern play in front of 75,000 spectators at the Allianz Arena, Auckland's home field only sees 200 to a maximum of 2,000 fans. And after the matches? "We have a lovely, small clubroom, and everyone enjoys a drink after the game," Kilkolly said. By the way, Auckland City FC is a family club where everyone is welcome. "We all know each other, and that's the same for every game." That sounds like a neighborhood league - far from the epic scale of the Club World Cup.
Source: ntv.de, tno/sid
- Club World Cup 2025
- FC Bayern München
- FIFA
- Football
Additional Insights
1. Auckland City FC Background
Auckland City FC, founded in 2004, has been a dominant force in New Zealand football since its establishment. They have won 16 league titles and have reached the final of the OFC Champions League every time they participated. This success earned them a place in the Club World Cup on multiple occasions.
2. Top-Tier Opponents
Besides Bayern Munich, Auckland City FC may face SL Benfica and Boca Juniors at the Club World Cup in 2025. While their amateur status makes it a challenging feat, the experience provides a unique opportunity for them to compete with top-tier teams.
3. Captain Mario Ilich
Captain Mario Ilich leads Auckland City FC. A stalwart defender, he is known for his leadership and dedication, making him a fitting representative for the club on the global stage.
4. Mount Roskill Schools Project
The club is heavily involved with the local community, particularly through the Mount Roskill Schools Project, which aims to develop modern sports facilities. This community outreach further emphasizes the family atmosphere of the club.
- Despite being an amateur team, Auckland City FC's employment policy allows players to participate in the Club World Cup, even if it means taking unpaid leave, as sales manager Angus Kilkolly will be doing.
- The sports rivalry between Auckland City FC and Bayern Munich, reminiscent of a David versus Goliath encounter, is particularly significant given the vast difference in player values and league standings. This contrast is even more pronounced when considering that Auckland's home field only accommodates a few hundred spectators, compared to Bayern's Allianz Arena that holds 75,000.
