The FIFA Club World Cup™ Trophy tour reached New Zealand’s shores this week, with OFC Men’s Champions League winners and OFC representatives, Auckland City FC in focus ahead of the inaugural tournament in June.
On Thursday, the team and trophy were welcomed by a traditional pōwhiri at Takaparawhau by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, before a showcase of the trophy on Friday on the observation deck of the Sky Tower in central Auckland.
The gold trophy, designed by FIFA in collaboration with Tiffany & Co., features inscriptions of all 211 FIFA Member Associations, covering 13 languages, as well as Braille.
Auckland City FC will face a considerable challenge when they head to the United States, having been drawn into Group C alongside Germany’s FC Bayern Munich, Argentina’s CA Boca Juniors and SL Benfica of Portugal.
Before then, the club will defend their OFC Men’s Champions League title in the Solomon Islands later this month, as well as beginning their domestic league season in New Zealand as they prepare to balance a busy period across a number of fronts.
Coach Paul Posa is back in the hot seat, having taken over from Albert Riera. Posa was in charge during the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup™, as well as leading City to an OFC Men’s Champions League title and a National League championship.
“On the field, the team, the squad – we’re just focusing on the Northern League and the OFC Men’s Champions League, which is probably the more important thing right at the moment for us,” Posa said.
With Auckland City being the sole OFC representative at the inaugural 32-team tournament this year, Posa is acutely aware of just how much it means to the club and the players to be playing on behalf of the region.
“It’s a big responsibility but we’re very proud of the club and what’s come before, to set this up and give us this opportunity. It’s a huge honour and we will work as hard as we can, do everything within our power to do the best we can when we get there,” the coach said.
Ivan Vicelich will be Posa’s assistant coach and the former New Zealand international is better placed than most to talk on the impact of the FIFA Club World Cup™. Vicelich was part of the Auckland City side that memorably finished 3rd at the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup™, defeating Mexico’s Cruz Azul to claim the bronze medal.
The former centre-back is looking forward to what should prove to be an historic campaign for the team and is hopeful they can make a positive impact against their illustrious opponents.
“Look, we’re realistic. We understand the qualities you need to be able to perform at the very top. The most important thing for us was qualifying, was performing really well for the last two or three years and getting to the tournament.
“Now that we’re there, we’re going to try and prepare as good as we can. The players are working really hard just now, we’ve got a huge OFC Champions League tournament coming up in March, which is really important to the club and the players and from there we’ll focus on American in June,” Vicelich said.
Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek