National League / OCL

AkCity FC At The FIFA World Club Cup

1392 replies · 246,591 views
06 Dec 05:14
I often wonder if Lose did know but had to do it or was put up to it, as the kids say for the content, for the memes. 

We’ll never really know I guess…


06 Dec 05:47
Nixieboys222
Trust me, Boca and River will send the top teams.. this means the world to us (literally). Just a pick up game on the street Argentinians take seriously and play like life and death, and will be even more. 
Fitzy
Confirmation the big clubs aren't taking it seriously when the Argentinians aren't even sending their senior team. 

GOT ‘EM
06 Dec 05:49
haha i didnt know that reference and i dont know who Wily Lose is, but thats kind of funny ngl
Fitzy
Nixieboys222
Trust me, Boca and River will send the top teams.. this means the world to us (literally). Just a pick up game on the street Argentinians take seriously and play like life and death, and will be even more. 
Fitzy
Confirmation the big clubs aren't taking it seriously when the Argentinians aren't even sending their senior team. 

GOT ‘EM
06 Dec 06:20
He’s an OG sports commentator, of the ‘rugby rugby rugby lads lads lads!’ era. Much more of a joke on him than you so you’ve taken this like a champ.
Nixieboys222
haha i didnt know that reference and i dont know who Wily Lose is, but thats kind of funny ngl
Fitzy
Nixieboys222
Trust me, Boca and River will send the top teams.. this means the world to us (literally). Just a pick up game on the street Argentinians take seriously and play like life and death, and will be even more. 
Fitzy
Confirmation the big clubs aren't taking it seriously when the Argentinians aren't even sending their senior team. 

GOT ‘EM
06 Dec 09:07
How much of a ball ache is it listening to Ivan V in the interviews. How he conducts a team talk without sending players to sleep is beyond me.
06 Dec 10:36
Am super stoked with this draw. 

Will definitely get to ACFC’s games, especially as it’s in the USA. That will bring a massive latin influence which will be so much better then the lack of atmosphere the Arabs have provided previously.
Supporter world's best and worst football teams: Waikato/WaiBop, Kingz, Knights, Phoenix, The Argyle, The Whites & the All Whites

10 Dec 09:00 · edited 10 Dec 09:00 · History
Auckland City's fixture dates and venues have been released:

vs Bayern Munich - Sunday June 15 (Local Time) - TQL Stadium in Cincinnati 

vs Benfica - Friday June 20 (Local Time) -  Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando

vs Boca Juniors - Tuesday  June 24 (Local Time) - Geodis Park in Nashville

- Also on this week's Football Fever Piney and Bonnie Jansen were saying there was talk of Liam Gillian and Cam Howiseon potentially being allowed to go back to play for Auckland City during the Club World Cup as they helped them qualify - with Piney ending by saying he thinks it will happen - not so sure myself but interesting to consider anyway
10 Dec 20:33
Talk in the herald today there may be up to 5 AFC players. All ok with NZF and FIFA. So very likely those 2 and others
10 Dec 23:58 · edited 10 Dec 23:59 · History
Note FIFA International window June 2nd-June 10th, 2025.
All Whites could be playing over that window, which may mean Gillion and Howieson are on international duty in June. ACFC's 1st game against Bayern is a few days after the window ends.

Though the AWs could well be playing games in North America again, in that window. Canada I reckon will be on NZF's radar.

11 Dec 03:45
hepatitis
Talk in the herald today there may be up to 5 AFC players. All ok with NZF and FIFA. So very likely those 2 and others

Do they have to be kiwis or just playing in NZ? Surely you'd try and pick up the best from both the Phoenix and Auckland.

This may help them keep the scores to under a half dozen per game.
11 Dec 05:37
On the other hand you don't want too many because the players that earnt it by winning the OFC Champions League three times in a row surely deserve a shot at the Club World Cup.
11 Dec 05:47 · edited 11 Dec 05:48 · History
Could be used as a little sweetener in contract negotiations for signings if timed right.

Is this the first sign of cohesion between AFC and Auckland City, or have they always been best mates? 


Auckland will rise once more

11 Dec 08:08
Genuine question - why are they limiting it to AFC? Why not the Nix or any other A-League team? Why not Mohamed Salah or Martin Odergaard? 
11 Dec 08:21 · edited 11 Dec 08:21 · History
Fitzy
Genuine question - why are they limiting it to AFC? Why not the Nix or any other A-League team? Why not Mohamed Salah or Martin Odergaard? 

I don't think they are limiting it to AFC, just they are the only club they have approached so far - the article has this line "Vuksich has yet to speak with any other professional clubs but had an “open mind”."

Link to the Herald article for anyone interested:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/football/auckland-fc/revealed-auckland-city-in-discussions-with-a-league-leaders-auckland-fc-over-loan-players-for-2025-fifa-club-world-cup/SOWUV2WNDRASRBFG7TGFQ7QSZM/#google_vignette
11 Dec 08:32
Half a Pint
Fitzy
Genuine question - why are they limiting it to AFC? Why not the Nix or any other A-League team? Why not Mohamed Salah or Martin Odergaard? 

I don't think they are limiting it to AFC, just they are the only club they have approached so far - the article has this line "Vuksich has yet to speak with any other professional clubs but had an “open mind”."

Link to the Herald article for anyone interested:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/football/auckland-fc/revealed-auckland-city-in-discussions-with-a-league-leaders-auckland-fc-over-loan-players-for-2025-fifa-club-world-cup/SOWUV2WNDRASRBFG7TGFQ7QSZM/#google_vignette

Probably try to tempt Modric/Peresic/Kovacic/Gvardiol with a win-bonus all-expenses-paid US short mid-summer holiday
11 Dec 09:27
They might get a caning but I don't think they should be bringing anyone. Let those that earned that right to play by playing in the qualifyers. They earned it, they deserve it. Their one chance to say that they have played against some serious teams from other countries.

Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

11 Dec 19:22
It's a little like Smith coming into NZ and taking Siggies role in the National team.

Hard to find a balance between rewarding those who got you there and trying to make sure you are as competative as possible.
11 Dec 21:42
LT01
On the other hand you don't want too many because the players that earnt it by winning the OFC Champions League three times in a row surely deserve a shot at the Club World Cup.

Arguably, going off of that logic, the likes of Howieson and Gillion - who were both part of the ACFC teams that won three in a row - deserve their chance!
11 Dec 22:32
Fitzy
Genuine question - why are they limiting it to AFC? Why not the Nix or any other A-League team? Why not Mohamed Salah or Martin Odergaard? 

Auckland City will have to pay salary and insurance bills for the period the players are with them - I don't think even Trillian can afford Mo Salah's salary and insurance bill, even if only for a week.
11 Dec 22:32
SamCoughlan
LT01
On the other hand you don't want too many because the players that earnt it by winning the OFC Champions League three times in a row surely deserve a shot at the Club World Cup.

Arguably, going off of that logic, the likes of Howieson and Gillion - who were both part of the ACFC teams that won three in a row - deserve their chance!

Absolutely I'd agree and they have a genuine connection to the club! Not sure about others
11 Dec 23:05
Not a big fan of Auckland City drafting in recruits. Field the players that you have at your club. If you get hammered 0-8 by Bayern then that’s life and reflects the level of Oceania football. 
There was a joke going around UK football forums. « What’s the difference between Scodhorpe United and Oceania football.? Answer, Scodhorpe United has more professional footballers »
 Its a bit harsh but reflects the opinion in Europe that both Oceania and this Club WC are a bit of a joke. UEFA , including plenty of big clubs don’t want this competition added to the already full football calendar.
Ideally it would be good to see the Nix and AFC in the play offs to represent this part of the world. However as we know these clubs are in limbo neither essentially Asian Confederation or Oceania.
Auckland City vs Bayern Munich could get very very messy. 
11 Dec 23:07
That’s Scodhorpe United….
11 Dec 23:08
Jesus…..auto spell check is a nightmare LOL
11 Dec 23:21
ACFC play Bayern 15th June. There will be important World Cup qualifiers being played up to 10th June.

With travel and player welfare issues to consider, it won't be near full strength Bayern. 
11 Dec 23:24 · edited 11 Dec 23:28 · History
It won't exactly be the historic mismatch people are thinking of, Bayern play and smash amateur teams in friendlies and the German Cup most seasons anyway. Plus they'll be managing the workload of the tournament.
11 Dec 23:29
austin111
Not a big fan of Auckland City drafting in recruits. Field the players that you have at your club. If you get hammered 0-8 by Bayern then that’s life and reflects the level of Oceania football. 
There was a joke going around UK football forums. « What’s the difference between Scodhorpe United and Oceania football.? Answer, Scodhorpe United has more professional footballers »
 Its a bit harsh but reflects the opinion in Europe that both Oceania and this Club WC are a bit of a joke. UEFA , including plenty of big clubs don’t want this competition added to the already full football calendar.
Ideally it would be good to see the Nix and AFC in the play offs to represent this part of the world. However as we know these clubs are in limbo neither essentially Asian Confederation or Oceania.
Auckland City vs Bayern Munich could get very very messy. 

Most of the clubs at this competition will be thrilled to be there, and for many players it will be among the highlights of their careers. It's not just about what the biggest European clubs want.
11 Dec 23:36
True. Europe has too much dominance in word football IMO. My South American friends say their clubs are 100% into this World Club competition. 
12 Dec 04:40 · edited 12 Dec 04:52 · History
austin111
True. Europe has too much dominance in word football IMO. My South American friends say their clubs are 100% into this World Club competition. 

I wonder if they remember 2014 when the amateurs of Auckland City took South American champions San Lorenzo to extra time in the semi finals. San Lorenzo lost their final game to Real Madrid. But ACFC won theirs, v Mexican champions Cruz Azul, to finish 3rd.
12 Dec 05:28
I hope their Club World Cup squad heavily resembles their National League squad for next year 

I kind of get why Gillion and Howieson being loaned back temporarily makes some sense as they at least helped ACFC qualify but I'd hate this to become a sort of 'Players plying their trade in New Zealand Invitational 11' - It feels a bit like gaming the system to bring in players who have no intention of staying on after the Club World Cup. I kinda feel that I would like it to be legitimately Auckland City competing at the tournament as they did legitimately qualify.

I don't think it really matters if they get well beaten or not, it's just a true reflection of the fact that OFC clubs are amateur - no point pretending to be something you're not.

12 Dec 13:50
austin111
Not a big fan of Auckland City drafting in recruits. Field the players that you have at your club. If you get hammered 0-8 by Bayern then that’s life and reflects the level of Oceania football. 
There was a joke going around UK football forums. « What’s the difference between Scodhorpe United and Oceania football.? Answer, Scodhorpe United has more professional footballers »
 Its a bit harsh but reflects the opinion in Europe that both Oceania and this Club WC are a bit of a joke. UEFA , including plenty of big clubs don’t want this competition added to the already full football calendar.
Ideally it would be good to see the Nix and AFC in the play offs to represent this part of the world. However as we know these clubs are in limbo neither essentially Asian Confederation or Oceania.
Auckland City vs Bayern Munich could get very very messy. 

I'd agree that I'd rather watch an authentic team lose big, however the rumored financial benefits are so big for OFC (and NZ football)... we want OFC keeping a direct entry, rather than losing 8-0 to Bayern and next minute OFC has 0.5 spots (and likely no entry for the next edition). Recruits mean Auckland City is more competitive and more money coming OFC/NZ way in the next competition, which doesn't happen if we are so shark we are booted from getting direct entry.
12 Dec 19:49 · edited 12 Dec 19:49 · History
austin111
Jesus…..auto spell check is a nightmare LOL
It's called the Scodthorpe Problem

(ha ha, will the filter break that too? Then try Scodthorpe Problem)

Ramming liberal dribble down your throat since 2009
This forum needs less angst and more Kate Bush threads



12 Dec 23:08
siac
austin111
Not a big fan of Auckland City drafting in recruits. Field the players that you have at your club. If you get hammered 0-8 by Bayern then that’s life and reflects the level of Oceania football. 
There was a joke going around UK football forums. « What’s the difference between Scodhorpe United and Oceania football.? Answer, Scodhorpe United has more professional footballers »
 Its a bit harsh but reflects the opinion in Europe that both Oceania and this Club WC are a bit of a joke. UEFA , including plenty of big clubs don’t want this competition added to the already full football calendar.
Ideally it would be good to see the Nix and AFC in the play offs to represent this part of the world. However as we know these clubs are in limbo neither essentially Asian Confederation or Oceania.
Auckland City vs Bayern Munich could get very very messy. 

I'd agree that I'd rather watch an authentic team lose big, however the rumored financial benefits are so big for OFC (and NZ football)... we want OFC keeping a direct entry, rather than losing 8-0 to Bayern and next minute OFC has 0.5 spots (and likely no entry for the next edition). Recruits mean Auckland City is more competitive and more money coming OFC/NZ way in the next competition, which doesn't happen if we are so shark we are booted from getting direct entry.
 Can't see anyone being arsed with allocating half spots, and therefore needing extra qualifiers, when player workloads are so central to the controversies over this tournament even existing. 
13 Dec 18:14 · edited 13 Dec 18:19 · History
Half a Pint
I hope their Club World Cup squad heavily resembles their National League squad for next year 

I kind of get why Gillion and Howieson being loaned back temporarily makes some sense as they at least helped ACFC qualify but I'd hate this to become a sort of 'Players plying their trade in New Zealand Invitational 11' - It feels a bit like gaming the system to bring in players who have no intention of staying on after the Club World Cup. I kinda feel that I would like it to be legitimately Auckland City competing at the tournament as they did legitimately qualify.

I don't think it really matters if they get well beaten or not, it's just a true reflection of the fact that OFC clubs are amateur - no point pretending to be something you're not.


I get what you are saying and it all makes sense. But i think if they can make their team stronger then why not.  It's professional sport, so the best players available to you should be picked. 

I'd rather watch them give it a go. Than defending like Samoa vs the all whites. 
13 Dec 19:14
Elemenop
Half a Pint
I hope their Club World Cup squad heavily resembles their National League squad for next year 

I kind of get why Gillion and Howieson being loaned back temporarily makes some sense as they at least helped ACFC qualify but I'd hate this to become a sort of 'Players plying their trade in New Zealand Invitational 11' - It feels a bit like gaming the system to bring in players who have no intention of staying on after the Club World Cup. I kinda feel that I would like it to be legitimately Auckland City competing at the tournament as they did legitimately qualify.

I don't think it really matters if they get well beaten or not, it's just a true reflection of the fact that OFC clubs are amateur - no point pretending to be something you're not.


I get what you are saying and it all makes sense. But i think if they can make their team stronger then why not.  It's professional sport, so the best players available to you should be picked. 

I'd rather watch them give it a go. Than defending like Samoa vs the all whites. 

Not really Auckland City any more if they go and sign half a dozen pros just to become slightly more competitive.

Takes the piss out of them being there in the first place, and the entire qualification process.

Three for me, and two for them.

13 Dec 23:04
Buffon II
Elemenop
Half a Pint
I hope their Club World Cup squad heavily resembles their National League squad for next year 

I kind of get why Gillion and Howieson being loaned back temporarily makes some sense as they at least helped ACFC qualify but I'd hate this to become a sort of 'Players plying their trade in New Zealand Invitational 11' - It feels a bit like gaming the system to bring in players who have no intention of staying on after the Club World Cup. I kinda feel that I would like it to be legitimately Auckland City competing at the tournament as they did legitimately qualify.

I don't think it really matters if they get well beaten or not, it's just a true reflection of the fact that OFC clubs are amateur - no point pretending to be something you're not.


I get what you are saying and it all makes sense. But i think if they can make their team stronger then why not.  It's professional sport, so the best players available to you should be picked. 

I'd rather watch them give it a go. Than defending like Samoa vs the all whites. 

Not really Auckland City any more if they go and sign half a dozen pros just to become slightly more competitive.

Takes the piss out of them being there in the first place, and the entire qualification process.

It's a bit of a joke they are there really. I just don't see the point of the Oceania conference at all. 

Just merge it with asian and make it east Asia.
14 Dec 07:19
Elemenop
Buffon II
Elemenop
Half a Pint
I hope their Club World Cup squad heavily resembles their National League squad for next year 

I kind of get why Gillion and Howieson being loaned back temporarily makes some sense as they at least helped ACFC qualify but I'd hate this to become a sort of 'Players plying their trade in New Zealand Invitational 11' - It feels a bit like gaming the system to bring in players who have no intention of staying on after the Club World Cup. I kinda feel that I would like it to be legitimately Auckland City competing at the tournament as they did legitimately qualify.

I don't think it really matters if they get well beaten or not, it's just a true reflection of the fact that OFC clubs are amateur - no point pretending to be something you're not.


I get what you are saying and it all makes sense. But i think if they can make their team stronger then why not.  It's professional sport, so the best players available to you should be picked. 

I'd rather watch them give it a go. Than defending like Samoa vs the all whites. 

Not really Auckland City any more if they go and sign half a dozen pros just to become slightly more competitive.

Takes the piss out of them being there in the first place, and the entire qualification process.

It's a bit of a joke they are there really. I just don't see the point of the Oceania conference at all. 

Just merge it with asian and make it east Asia.


You could say the exact same when New Zealand qualify for the World Cup in March next year though.

Three for me, and two for them.

15 Dec 11:09
Elemenop
Buffon II
Elemenop
Half a Pint
I hope their Club World Cup squad heavily resembles their National League squad for next year 

I kind of get why Gillion and Howieson being loaned back temporarily makes some sense as they at least helped ACFC qualify but I'd hate this to become a sort of 'Players plying their trade in New Zealand Invitational 11' - It feels a bit like gaming the system to bring in players who have no intention of staying on after the Club World Cup. I kinda feel that I would like it to be legitimately Auckland City competing at the tournament as they did legitimately qualify.

I don't think it really matters if they get well beaten or not, it's just a true reflection of the fact that OFC clubs are amateur - no point pretending to be something you're not.


I get what you are saying and it all makes sense. But i think if they can make their team stronger then why not.  It's professional sport, so the best players available to you should be picked. 

I'd rather watch them give it a go. Than defending like Samoa vs the all whites. 

Not really Auckland City any more if they go and sign half a dozen pros just to become slightly more competitive.

Takes the piss out of them being there in the first place, and the entire qualification process.

It's a bit of a joke they are there really. I just don't see the point of the Oceania conference at all. 

Just merge it with asian and make it east Asia.

They've won all 3 Champions League tournaments in the four year cycle used. Of course they deserve to be there. We can have a greater conversation about OFC itself but while OFC exists, a team that totally dominates the OFC Champions League across multiple years absolutely deserves to qualify for this event. Remember there are teams from other confederations that didn't even win the main club tournament there.
15 Dec 20:30
  • You certainly can debate the merits of the Oceania Confedertion but you cant really criticise Auckland City. They have qualified on merit according to FIFA rules. However i would be very surprised if FIFA rules allowed City to bring in some loan players to strenghten their squad. What would stop rich clubs just loaning in top players from other clubs who havnt qualified. The whole thing would be a farce. City should talk to a good lawyer first.
17 Dec 12:56
Buffon II
Elemenop
Half a Pint
I hope their Club World Cup squad heavily resembles their National League squad for next year 

I kind of get why Gillion and Howieson being loaned back temporarily makes some sense as they at least helped ACFC qualify but I'd hate this to become a sort of 'Players plying their trade in New Zealand Invitational 11' - It feels a bit like gaming the system to bring in players who have no intention of staying on after the Club World Cup. I kinda feel that I would like it to be legitimately Auckland City competing at the tournament as they did legitimately qualify.

I don't think it really matters if they get well beaten or not, it's just a true reflection of the fact that OFC clubs are amateur - no point pretending to be something you're not.


I get what you are saying and it all makes sense. But i think if they can make their team stronger then why not.  It's professional sport, so the best players available to you should be picked. 

I'd rather watch them give it a go. Than defending like Samoa vs the all whites. 

Not really Auckland City any more if they go and sign half a dozen pros just to become slightly more competitive.

Takes the piss out of them being there in the first place, and the entire qualification process.

ACFC has already set a precedent in this. They have had loads of short term signings for the CWC in the past.

Eg: CWC 2014.

Supporter world's best and worst football teams: Waikato/WaiBop, Kingz, Knights, Phoenix, The Argyle, The Whites & the All Whites

17 Dec 17:34
Marto
Buffon II
Elemenop
Half a Pint
I hope their Club World Cup squad heavily resembles their National League squad for next year 

I kind of get why Gillion and Howieson being loaned back temporarily makes some sense as they at least helped ACFC qualify but I'd hate this to become a sort of 'Players plying their trade in New Zealand Invitational 11' - It feels a bit like gaming the system to bring in players who have no intention of staying on after the Club World Cup. I kinda feel that I would like it to be legitimately Auckland City competing at the tournament as they did legitimately qualify.

I don't think it really matters if they get well beaten or not, it's just a true reflection of the fact that OFC clubs are amateur - no point pretending to be something you're not.


I get what you are saying and it all makes sense. But i think if they can make their team stronger then why not.  It's professional sport, so the best players available to you should be picked. 

I'd rather watch them give it a go. Than defending like Samoa vs the all whites. 

Not really Auckland City any more if they go and sign half a dozen pros just to become slightly more competitive.

Takes the piss out of them being there in the first place, and the entire qualification process.

ACFC has already set a precedent in this. They have had loads of short term signings for the CWC in the past.

Eg: CWC 2014.


What did they do for that again?

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