Auckland City beat a squad from Japan's Ryutsu Keizai University 2-1 in a training match ahead of their FIFA Club World Cup opener Thursday against the winners of Japan's J-League.
The Friday win was a morale-booster for Auckland -- the only amateur side in the tournament headlined by mighty Barcelona -- ahead of their match with the J-League champions to be decided in the final round of the season on Saturday.
The winner faces Mexico's Monterrey three days later.
"The result is not important but the performance was and we got some answers out of the game, and that's what we were looking for," said Auckland City coach Ramon Tribulietx.
"Everyone showed they can compete at this level and that we can take this forward to December 8."
Luis Corrales opened Auckland's account on 27 minutes and McGeorge doubled the score seven minutes later. Tribulietx gave his fringe players game time, making a full range of substitutions in the second half.
Japan pulled one back near the hour mark when substitute forward Jyosyua scored. With 10 minutes to go, Daniel Koprivcic squandered a penalty kick against the Japanese.
Source: AFP
