Auckland’s third appearance at FIFA’s premier club event will feature a dream match against the yet-to-be-decided J-League winners on December 8 at Toyota Stadium. The Sandringham-based club will play one warm-up match with local side Ryutsu Keizai University on December 2.
“The core of this team is based around the likes of Ivan Vicelich and David Mulligan,” Tribulietx says. “We have a group of very experienced senior players who we’re going to rely upon to set the bar as high as possible in Japan.”
While James Pritchett was part of the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup campaign, and captain Ivan Vicelich, Chad Coombes, Daniel Koprivcic, Adam Dickinson, Jacob Spoonley, Ian Hogg, Alex Feneridis, Sam Campbell and Adam McGeorge were all part of the 2009 Auckland City squad that finished fifth in Abu Dhabi, some newer faces give Auckland a more cosmopolitan and youthful look this year.
“We’ve added some up-and-coming youngsters like Simon Arms and Thomas Doyle – players we believe have a big future in the game. It’s a good blend of experience and youth,” Tribulietx says.
Also included are the former Barcelona pair of Manel Exposito and Andreu Guerao alongside Angel Berlanga, Albert Riera, Emiliano Tade and Costa Rican forward Luis Corrales. Exposito is in top form with seven goals in just five domestic and regional games.
Tribulietx has included Jacob Spoonley as his preferred choice in goal with support provided by Liam Little. Goalkeeper coach Paul Gothard is Auckland’s third choice glove man.
The team departs New Zealand on November 28, setting up camp in Tokyo ahead of the friendly match with Ryutsu Keizai University. Skipper Ivan Vicelich, whose wife is expecting their second child, arrives in Japan a few days later.
Auckland City received a further boost when it was nominated for the Sport Auckland ORIX Sports Team of the Year for 2011. Auckland City lines up alongside fellow finalists Auckland Aces cricket and Auckland Hockey Association NHL women’s team. The club won the Team Award in the 2010/11 season after winning the 2011 O-League.
Auckland City squad for FIFA Club World Cup
Goalkeepers
Jacob SPOONLEY (NZL)
Liam LITTLE (NZL)
Paul GOTHARD (ENG)
Defenders
Ian HOGG (NZL)
Sam CAMPBELL (NZL)
Angel BERLANGA (ESP)
Chad COOMBES (NZL)
James PRITCHETT (NZL)
Ivan VICELICH (NZL)
Andrew MILNE (NZL)
Simon ARMS (NZL)
Thomas DOYLE (NZL)
Midfielders
David MULLIGAN (NZL)
Alex FENERIDIS (NZL)
Albert RIERA (ESP)
Adam McGEORGE (NZL)
Andreu GUERAO (ESP)
Strikers
Manel EXPOSITO (ESP)
Luis CORRALES (CRC)
Daniel KOPRIVCIC (NZL)
Adam DICKINSON (ENG)
Emiliano TADE (ARG)
Coach: Ramon Tribulietx
Director of Football: Aaron McFarland
Goalkeeping coach: Paul Gothard
Logistics manager: Dave Stringer
Property steward: Arthur Egan
Club doctor: Craig Panther
Physios: Andrew Newmarch and Leighton Wills
Media manager: Gordon Glen Watson

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