AUCKLAND - Waitakere United will face its biggest test yet when it meets Iranian champions Sepahan in the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final qualifier in the National Stadium in Tokyo. However United's road to Japan began in late 2006 with a last minute inclusion in the 2007 OFC O-League competition following the withdrawal of Vanuatu's club entry.

Waitakere United went on to lift the inaugural trophy and OFC Media takes a look back at the West Aucklanders journey to the land of the rising sun in this photo gallery...

WAITAKERE UNITED: Pride of Auckland's Western Suburbs

PEARCE'ING RUN: Waitakere United's Allan Pearce gets to grips with AS Mont Dore's Patrick Diaike

KOPRIVCIC GLORY: Daniel Koprivcic celebrates a goal against AS Mont Dore as United win 6-1

HAY-MAKER: Danny Hay celebrates a goal against Auckland City in an O-League Group A showdown at Trusts Stadium 

CRUNCH!: Auckland City's Ben Sigmund outjumps Commins Menapi but the Kiwi-O-League derby finishes level and Waitakere progress by virtue of a superior goal difference 

BA: Waitakere United met Fiji champions Ba in the 2007 OFC O-League 1st leg at Govind Park, Ba.

CHAMPIONS!: Michael Utting (left) and Danny Hay (right) lift the 2007 OFC O-League after an away goals win over Ba at Mount Smart Stadium

GOAL-DEN BOY: Waitakere United's Commins Menapi receives the 2007 OFC O-League golden boot award from former France and Real Madrid star Christian Karembeu 

CELEBRATION JOY: Waitakere United players enjoy that winning feeling after defeating Ba on away goals 

SOLOMON STAR: Solomon Islands international Benjamin Totori in action against AS Manu'ura during a 2-1 win in the 2008 OFC O-League. Totori tranferred from NZFC rivals Youngheart Manawatu. 

GOTCHYA!: AS Manu'ura goalkeeper Jonathan Torohia catches a ball off Waitakere United's Jason Hayne. Hayne transferred from Auckland City FC.

 

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP: Waitakere United hosted its first FIFA Club World Cup press conference in Henderson 

BRAINS TRUST: Waitakere United coach Chris Milicich plots the downfall of Sepahan 

MR.WAITAKERE UNITED: Waitakere United chairman Rex Dawkins speaks at the FIFA Club World Cup press conference

NO-NONSENSE: Waitakere United's uncompromising skipper Danny Hay 

UNITED WE STAND: Neil Emblen, Danny Hay and Allan Pearce take a chance to hold the FIFA Club World Cup 

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY Shane Wenzlick and Grant Stantiall