Intercontinental Cup loss for Auckland FC
- 16 hours ago
- 2 min read
A-League winning side Auckland FC have been knocked out of FIFA's Intercontinental Cup club tournament losing 1-0 to hosts Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia.
The New Zealand club battled against night-time temperatures well in excess of 30 degrees C in Jeddah and opponents who had won the competitive Asian Champions League.
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It was the first in charge for new Auckland FC coach Pedro Moreira following the departure of Steve Corica, who lead the club to their first A-League title.
The playoff at the King Abdullah Sports Sports City Stadium featured a number of Auckland's best A-League players but came through the club's second-string sidewinning the inaugural Oceania Pro-League.
Daniel Normann the defensive midfielder from Norway one of the players signed from the Pro League side to a full professional contract
Al-Ahli largely dominated possession but the visitors held their own through a disciplined defensive display and occasional counter-attack.
Two of their best chances fell to midfielder Logan Rogerson within the space of minutes in the first half, the second one in particular a header that forced a sharp tip save from the former Chelseas goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
After 63 minutes of resistance, Auckland's defence was broken by a slick goal to Al-Ahli substitute Saleh Abu Al-Shamat.
The hosts held on relatively comfortably from that point, their cause helped by an 87th minute straight red card shown to English striker Sam Cosgrove for the visitors for a dangerous challenge.
Earlier, Auckland captain Hiroki Sakai hobbled off the pitch with an apparent muscle injury that will concern Pereria.
Moreira started two of his new signings, defender Aaron Calver and attacker Lachlan Bayliss.
Auckland FC will now turn their attention to preparing for the start of the A-League season in mid-October.
