Waitakere United captain Danny Hay is excited to represent Oceania at this year’s FIFA Club World Cup but admits to being a realist ahead of their encounter with Iranian heavyweights Sepahan in Tokyo on December 7th.

“We’re a team full of plumbers, electricians and teachers playing against professional footballers,” said Hay. “But I have tasted FIFA tournaments before and on the day you never know. Hopefully we will do the nation proud.”

The FIFA Club World Cup consists of the champions of each continent and the host nations winner, competing for a total prize pool of 16 million dollars. Last years competition drew more than 300,000 spectators.

Waitakere are guaranteed a $500,000 pay packet for their attendance at the tournament, a figure that will double should they win their opening game.

The Waitakere side was officially welcomed to the tournament today by FIFA delegate John Schumacher on behalf of FIFA president Joseph S Blatter.

Waitakere coach Chris Milicich said he was excited but not overawed by the challenge infront of him.

“It is up to us to ensure that qualification from Oceania to this tournament continues to exist,” said Milicich. “I saw 60,000 screaming fans at the playoff game between the reds (Urawa) and Sepahan but at the end of the day its just 11 v 11. If we do what we can do there are opportunities to get a result.”

Waitakere United will complete a dream run when they play in the tournaments opening game in Tokyo. They were not even qualified for the 2007 Oceania Champions League but a late withdrawal offered them a last minute opportunity to enter the competition. Waitakere then went on to win their group and then the final against Fijian Champions Ba in a home and away series.

Waitakere executive chairman Rex Dawkins described their position among some of the world’s elite as a dream come true.

“It’s a memorable occasion and an exciting time for the club”, said Dawkins. “It’s a dream but if you believe in dreams there comes success at the end.

Hay said that his squad were well aware of how lucky they were to have this opportunity.
“What a chance of a lifetime for our guys. Many of us will never have a chance to be in something like this again.”

The O League champions tournament organised by Oceania was seen as a huge success by Oceania general secretary Tai Nicholas. “The league attracted 60,000 spectators in five countries,” said Nicholas. “The O league is growing in momentum.”

Auckland City were the last Oceania representatives to compete in the club world cup when they were defeated 3-0 by Asian champions Jeonbuk FC and 2-0 by African champions Al Ahly.