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Atletico Nacional from Colombia win the 2016 Copa Libertadores 2–1 on aggregate vs Independiente del Valle (Ecuador). This is Atletico Nacional's second Copa Libertadores after their 1989 title. They will now participate in the Club World Cup with an automatic berth to the semi-final.

The CAF Champions League will be decided between 21–23 October, the AFC CL on 26 November and the J-League on 3 December.

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CLUB WORLD CUP SCHEDULE:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_FIFA_Club_World...

http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/index.html

7 December 6 am NZT: Auckland City vs. Al-Jazira (UAE champions)

10 December 5.30 am NZT Quarter-final: winner vs. AFC champs (to be decided on 26 November NZT with final of AFC Champions League between Urawa Red Diamonds and Al-Hilal)

13 December NZT: Loser of above quarter-final vs. loser of other quarter-final

14 December Semi-final: winner of 10 December quarter-final vs. Real Madrid

17 December 3rd/4th play-off: loser of semis vs. loser of other semi

17 December: Final

Auckland's opponents Al-Jazira (UAE):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Jazira_Club

Only four imports in the first team squad (rest are local UAE players)

Star player is former French international midfielder Lassana Diarra ex. Real Madrid, Arsenal and Chelsea:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lassana_Diarra

34 caps for France - unlucky to miss Euro 2016 due to injury after being named in the squad.

Also: Romarinho, Brazilian striker who won Copa Libertadores and Club World Cup with Corinthians in 2012

Mbark Bousssoufa, Moroccan international midfielder/ left winger born in Holland and an Ajax youth product, three time Belgian footballer of the year with Anderlecht and Gent.

Sardor Rashidov: Uzbekistan international striker.

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FIFA Council meeting, scheduled to take place in Miami from 14 to 15 March 2019. Circle these dates on your calendar.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/bobbymcmahon/2018/12/...

The proposal to expand the 2022 World Cup in Qatar (pop 300,000) to 48 countries from the present 32 is very real, albeit a stupid one.

It is ridiculous that it is even being debated. The world’s most watched single sports event has already been moved to a November/December timeslot on account of scorching June/July heat in Qatar. It already means a disruption of domestic leagues around the world that may take years to rebalance.

What’s more, the plan is to play the competition over 28 days rather than the normal 31. FIFA president Infantino has floated the idea of other countries hosting group games but the idea reeks of a play for the Nobel Peace Prize.

The qualifying draws for each Confederation is set for July 2019 and there is the presidential election in June so someone needs to make a decision early next year and in order to provide certainty to fans, broadcasters, and planners.

FIFA's deputy secretary general Zvonimir Boban has drawn the short straw and is heading up a task force studying FIFA’s competitions – specifically, the Club World Cup and a proposed Global Nations League. It is the business equivalent of a hospital pass from Infantino.

These competitions are two red-hot potatoes given that for the first time there is a proposal that could see one or both the tournaments “privatized”, or at least partly so.

An Asian investment group is pitching a $25b deal covering a 12-year cycle and 49% ownership. The Club World Cup could expand to 24 teams while the Nations League would conclude with an eight-country final every two years.

The task force consists of members appointed by the six continental confederations, and FIFA has committed to “consulting” with clubs, players and leagues. The findings of the task force are to be presented to the FIFA Council meeting in Miami in March.

The decision as to the number of countries playing in Qatar in 2022 and the findings of the task force are laden with political considerations. It will require a few deft touches by FIFA President Gianni Infantino given that he faces an election in Paris on June 5 at the 69th FIFA Congress.

Infantino has served less than the normal 4-year term on account of Sepp Blatter’s shock resignation after winning the 2015 election. Infantino, announced his intention in June of 2018 to seek re-election and so far, no challengers have emerged.

That could change if any of these hot-potato issues are mishandled.


Some big recommendations to be made or not, that will affect NZ football.

  • If is recommended that CWC moves to a 4 year cycle, what do ACFC do? Happy just to continue to dominate the Handy Prem? Winning the OFC Champions League lets face it will mean squat, without the annual carrot of the CWC. Do they consider being part of a possible Auckland A League bid? Or even a bid to be in a planned A League 2nd division (semi pro?) as a starting point?
  • If the Global Nations League is recommended (with the Confederations Cup cancelled), is AFC (Asia) then effectively forced to start an AFC Nations League? At the moment UEFA, CAF (Africa) & CONCACAF have each started a Nations League. Leaving only AFC & CONEMBOL without. IF AFC start a Nations League, do they include OFC Nations with maybe some 'persuasion' from FIFA? ie will the AWs then suddenly become part of a regular series of international matches in a AFC/OFC Nations League?
  • Will Qatar 2022 be expanded to 48 teams, so thereby giving OFC an automatic qualifying spot?

I'd prefer more meaningful AWs games as part of an AFC/OFC Nations League, that included pro/rel between divisions, plus the World Cup to stay at 32 teams - preserving it's quality status and being the pinnacle. Not some bloated easy to qualify thing. 

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YoungHeart

Sadly it looks very much like that.

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Hienghene took Al-Sadd to extra time in the 2019 edition. Wouldn't count Pirae out to keep the game competitive, although Tahitian sides are a little less competitive the domestic standard has climbed in the past few years. Few French players coming over to play
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mrsmiis
Hienghene took Al-Sadd to extra time in the 2019 edition. Wouldn't count Pirae out to keep the game competitive, although Tahitian sides are a little less competitive the domestic standard has climbed in the past few years. Few French players coming over to play
This will hurt them
"Pirae have themselves been impacted already by COVID-19, with seven players testing positive in Tahiti and therefore being unable to fly to Abu Dhabi."

Though see the Tahiti League is in season at the moment (so that will help) and was mostly played through 2021 it seems, unlike a lot of the Islands comps that were either suspended or cancelled due to Covid.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2021/04/25/tahiti/super-ligue-mana/as-pirae/central/3493792/
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4-1 Al Jazira. Pirae goal coming through an oggie.
Closer than I expected to be fair.
Haven't seen the stats, but I'd imagine it would've painted a picture of domination. 
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https://keepup.com.au/news/infantino-confirms-new-32-team-club-world-cup-and-revamped-world-cup-format-to-be-revisited

During that meeting, plans were approved to push on with a previously proposed expansion to the Club World Cup.

The competition currently pits the winners of the main continental club competitions against each other every year, but the new version will feature 32 teams from across the globe and take place once every four years.

A-Leagues trio Sydney FC (2005), Adelaide United (2008) and Western Sydney Wanderers (2014) have previously participated in the Club World Cup, while former NSL outfit South Melbourne featured in 2000.

“It will be a Club World Cup of 32 teams, every four years, and the first edition will be summer of 2025,” he said. “They will be the best teams in the world invited to participate.”
Legend
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Nice to have an understanding employer giving you 2-3 weeks annual leave, as an "amateur". First time in awhile a MLS team have been CONCACAF champs?

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/auckland-city-fc-to-open-fifa-club-world-cup-2022/

Oceania Champions League winners Auckland City FC will play the opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup 2022, on 1 Feb in Morocco.

Their opponents in the first game will be CAF Champions League runners-up Al Ahly of Egypt. Auckland have already flown out earlier this week to conduct a training camp in Barcelona, to help the players acclimatise to the conditions.

Al Ahly have come in despite being runners up as local side Wydad Casablanca won the CAF Champions League. The other champion sides are: Flamengo (Brazil, CONMEBOL), Real Madrid (Spain, UEFA), Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia, AFC) and Seattle Sounders FC (USA, CONCACAF).


Legend
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Navy Blues lost their first pre CWC friendly 1-0 to Reus FC Reddis from Spain's 6th tier.
https://www.aucklandcityfc.com/news/1881/12/Friendly-line-up-confirmed-/

Today they play K League side Jeonbuk Motors, and their final friendly is against Barcelona B.

https://www.aucklandcityfc.com/news/1885/12/Preview-Jeonbuk-toughest-test-yet-for-City/
Jeonbuk Motors are coached by former Korea Republic international Kim Sang-sik who guided his team to a ninth league title last season. The two clubs are sharing living space at Cambrils accommodation as well as training at Futbol Salou Sports Complex.

Often the two squads will pass each other in the corridor with very little interaction apart from the occasional awkward greeting. The Koreans have partitioned off their eating quarters from other clubs present which include Gdansk of Poland and Hertha Berlin of Germany.

City open the CWC in Morocco against Al Ahly (Egypt).

Looks like Sam Brotherton has gone to his USL club already, ie not playing at CWC. Guess that's why they signed Nikko Boxall.

AC: 1. Conor TRACEY (GK), 2. Mario ILICH, 3. Adam MITCHELL, 4. Christian GRAY, 5.Nikko BOXALL, 7. Cam HOWIESON, 8. Gerard GARRIGA, 9. Angus KILKOLLY, 10. Dylan MANICKUM, 11. Ryan DE VRIES, 12. Regont MURATI, 13. Nathan LOBO, 15. Aidan CAREY, 16. Joe LEE, 18. Finn DOCKERTY (GK), 19. Liam GILLION, 20. Emiliano TADE, 21. Mike den HEIJER, 22. Adam BELL, 23. Matt ELLIS, 24. Cam BROWN (GK), 25. Taukya IWATA.
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Lost 1-0 to Jeonbuk Motors, 90th minute winner apparently 
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Impressive website City have. One of the players on the Trillian Trust payroll as media worker?

https://www.aucklandcityfc.com/news/1887/12/Last-gasp-goal-sinks-City-/

Jeonbuk fielded a strong side that featured internationals Song Min-kyu and Moon Seon-min who went to the FIFA World Cup in Russia four years ago and Brazil striker Gustavo, who was Jeonbuk's top scorer last season. Highly rated international striker, Cho Gue-sung, recently linked with a move to the MLS and Celtic, also made an appearance. 

Two other Korean internationals including one-club man Choi Chul-soon and pacey winger Han Kyo-won also appeared. 

While the result didn't go the way City would have liked there was plenty to be positive about with coach Albert Riera's starting eleven giving as good as they got against a team that wrapped up it's ninth Korean League title at the end of 2022.

One setback could be an injury to second half substitute Angus Kilkolly who left Futbol Salou Sports Complex nursing a heavy knock to his ankle.

Kilkolly, who works as a painter deocorator, has come through a serious knee injury picked up in a 5-3 win over Birkenhead United last winter and Riera is hopeful the injury is not too serious.



Legend
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Oh & doubt Ramon has the AWs gig, if he is hanging around in Spain at the moment.




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KO 8am Thursday NZT

https://www.aucklandcityfc.com/news/1896/12/Preview-Albert-Riera-looks-ahead-to-Club-World-Cup-/

Intensity will be in no shortage from Al Ahly who are yet to lose a game this season having already qualified for the African Champions League group stages, won the Egyptian Super Cup and opened up a commanding lead at the top of their Premier League competition.

Al Ahly have no problem spending money, either, with at least several million spent on recruitment in the last two transfer windows underlining the gap between the Kiwi champions and the African runners-up.

"We're extremely lucky and honoured and pleased. Barcelona B were in the middle of their season, like Al Ahly, they were very fit, very sharp, so without that we wouldn't have any chance to compete with Al Ahly but our preparation has been spot on," he (Riera) said.

"Al Ahly are a huge club with massive players not only in Egypt but Africa as well and the crowd are going to push a lot for them so there's a lot of pressure there carrying on their shoulders. Its an extra element to take into account and we're comfortable not being the favourite at that time and we're going in to be the underdog.

"This squad of players have shown how flexible they can be and how well they can adapt to every circumstance. I think we give Al Ahly the label of favourites but behind closed doors we aren't going to behave like underdogs.

"We have to be humble and believe in our game plan and what we can do and hopefully have a good game," he said.

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Sounds like December this year will be last edition of CWC in it's current format.
2025 to see the planned expanded 32 team edition, on a four yearly cycle. Just the one spot for a OFC club.

So OFC Champions League will remain important for NZ teams for presumably 2023 & 2025.

Hope the Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile & Argy joint bid get the 2030 WC.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/300807345/fifa-targets-2030-world-cup-host-vote-in-september-next-year

Fifa also picked Saudi Arabia – a potential candidate in the 2030 (World Cup hosting) contest – to host the next Club World Cup from December 12-22 in the latest addition to the Kingdom's sports hosting ambitions.

The
Saudi-hosted Club World Cup in December should be the last in the current seven-team format of continental champions plus the host nation’s domestic league winner.

Fifa has set a June 2025 target to launch a tournament of 32 teams with European teams taking 12 entries.

Continental allocations for the tournament were confirmed on Tuesday with South America to get six teams, and four each going to Asia, Africa and the CONCACAF region, plus one to Oceania. The host nation will get the last slot.

The United States is a potential host for the 2025 Club World Cup as a test event for the following year's World Cup.

First Team Squad
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coochiee
Sounds like December this year will be last edition of CWC in it's current format.
2025 to see the planned expanded 32 team edition, on a four yearly cycle. Just the one spot for a OFC club.

So OFC Champions League will remain important for NZ teams for presumably 2023 & 2025.

Hope the Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile & Argy joint bid get the 2030 WC.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/300807345/fifa-targets-2030-world-cup-host-vote-in-september-next-year

Fifa also picked Saudi Arabia – a potential candidate in the 2030 (World Cup hosting) contest – to host the next Club World Cup from December 12-22 in the latest addition to the Kingdom's sports hosting ambitions.

The
Saudi-hosted Club World Cup in December should be the last in the current seven-team format of continental champions plus the host nation’s domestic league winner.

Fifa has set a June 2025 target to launch a tournament of 32 teams with European teams taking 12 entries.

Continental allocations for the tournament were confirmed on Tuesday with South America to get six teams, and four each going to Asia, Africa and the CONCACAF region, plus one to Oceania. The host nation will get the last slot.

The United States is a potential host for the 2025 Club World Cup as a test event for the following year's World Cup.


I wonder if it will be straight knockout with the 32 teams. Would be cool to have groups and min 3 matches... although I doubt the big euro clubs would be keen on that idea.
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Bit ambiguous on how OFC will select it's representative for 1st edition of the expanded CWC 4 yearly CWC in 2025. Results over 2 years, ie 2024 & 2025?? There being no CWC in 2024.

Then of course what's to happen with the new proposed OFC pro club competition?? How does that overlap with sending an OFC club to the CWC.

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/fifa-locks-in-next-club-world-cup-format/

There will be a 32-strong field – AFC: 4, CAF: 4, CONCACAF: 4, OFC: 1, South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL): 6, Union of European Football Associations (UEFA): 12, Host country: 1.

Qualifications vary across the different confederations, and OFCs representative will be determined on results over the next two years.

The current FIFA Club World Cup format will have its last edition later this year, with the tournament to be held in Saudi Arabia in December.

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