Semi-professional team's memorable moment at FIFA Club World Cup In the early morning of June 25, Auckland held Boca Juniors to a 1-1 draw in the final match of Group C, FIFA Club World Cup 2025™.
In the early morning of June 25, in the final match of the group stage of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, the semi-professional team from Oceania, with players working as trainee teachers, barbers or storekeepers, held the famous team from Argentina to a draw.
Miracle
The result not only brought glory to Auckland City after two previous heavy losses, but was also hailed as a miracle by the New Zealand media. Christian Gray, a trainee teacher at Mt. Roskill High School in Auckland, jumped high to head in a corner kick from Jerson Lagos, a hairdresser, to equalize.
The goal earned Auckland City their first point of the tournament and was a testament to the fighting spirit of the semi-professional side. Before that, Auckland City had suffered two heavy defeats: a 10-0 loss to Bayern Munich and a 6-0 loss to Benfica.
These results have led many to question FIFA’s decision to allow a semi-professional team from Oceania to compete against the world’s top professional teams. Even Auckland’s local newspaper, the New Zealand Herald , criticised the team, saying they had “damaged Auckland City’s proud 20-year legacy” in FIFA competitions.
“It has been a challenging few weeks,” the Herald wrote after the two defeats. “In the past, Auckland City have been renowned for excelling on the international stage, often with a few outstanding individuals. Not this time.”
However, Auckland City made a strong impression in the final match, with a performance that pleased even FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was in the stands in Nashville. Christian Gray said after the match: “It was a tough trip, we got some tough results, but I’m delighted for the team. I think we deserved it. Hopefully we get some respect back. The team doesn’t have a lot of money, so I just hope everyone is happy.”
Regain dignity
In New Zealand, where football always comes second to rugby in the hearts of fans, the draw with Boca Juniors was the focus of attention. Local media, which had little interest in the FIFA Club World Cup due to the end of Super Rugby, paid special tribute to Auckland City.
Auckland City have written a miracle story, overcoming two heavy defeats to regain respect on the world stage. |
Radio New Zealand described the draw with Boca Juniors as miraculous: “Thanks to Gray's bravery and a determined defence, Auckland City achieved a result that resonated strongly in world football”.
The New Zealand Herald called it a “staggering” result that “will go down in legend”: “The team of real estate agents, teachers, salesmen, builders and students hoped to make their mark on the world stage, knowing it was almost impossible. But they did it – beating all the odds and predictions from the experts.”
“Anyone in the football world who sees this result will have to rub their eyes in disbelief. But it is true,” the Herald stressed.
“The majority of Auckland City’s squad are made up of semi-professional players who will return to their day jobs after the tournament. But they are up against one of South America’s biggest professional clubs, the former home of Argentine legend Diego Maradona,” wrote Stuff .
Television New Zealand said Auckland City were humiliated in their first two games of the Club World Cup, but their performance against Boca Juniors changed everything. The result not only restored the team's reputation but also brought pride to New Zealand fans.
Source: https://znews.vn/doi-ban-chuyen-khien-fifa-club-world-cup-ngo-ngang-post1563537.html
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