Auckland City FC Faces Bayern München with Part-Time Players: ‘We’re Going to Give It Everything We’ve Got

Auckland City squad

Auckland City who will play against Bayern München today do not have their full squad available as some players have declined to participate in the Club World Cup due to the majority of the team’s players working part-time jobs from 9 am to 5 pm. 

Auckland City coach Paul Posa: “All the players have other jobs besides their football commitments. We are probably the smallest club there, being an amateur team as well. It’s quite possibly the toughest group we could have drawn (Bayern, Benfica, Boca Juniors). I think we have to go there and prepare the best we can, give it everything we’ve got and try and cause an upset.

Our players have exceptional dedication to football outside of working hours. The players had to take annual leave from their jobs. Some players were unable to attend both the OFC Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup due to their jobs.

Of course, we’re extremely excited and proud. We’re going to what is essentially a new FIFA tournament, a new FIFA initiative. There are just so many exciting aspects to the tournament, and it’s a pretty special opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the best teams in the world.

It’s a dream come true for a lot of people. I think around our club, it’s a huge honour to represent Auckland and New Zealand and Oceania, really. It’s really exciting and a real honour.”

Paul Posa is currently Auckland’s interim coach in place of Albert Riera, who is absent for family reasons.

Credit: Reuters & DAZNFootball