Al Jazira beat Auckland City in FIFA Club World Cup opener

Abu Dhabi - Al Jazira kept pushing and got rewarded as Brazilian star Romarinho belted one past the defenders

Debutants Al Jazira stunned nine-time participant Auckland City 1-0 in the opening match of the 14th FIFA Club World Cup at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain on Wednesday night.
Al Jazira coach Henk ten Cate had said his boys would play like lions and on the night, the UAE side silenced the visitors from New Zealand with a blazing goal from Romarinho.
The high-voltage match, however, had a pedestrian start. One reason apart from nerves would be 17-degree Celsius in the Garden City of Al Ain. An 11-minuth attempt on goal by Auckland City striker Ryan De Vries warmed up things.
Star striker Ali Mabkhout set some lovely coordination with Mbark Boussoufa and Romarinho.
Khalfan Mubarak was lively in the right wing. There was promising moments but not enough to trouble Auckland City keeper Enaut Zubikarai. At the other end, strikers Callum McCowatt and Emiliano Tade tested keeper Ali Khasif with long-range efforts.
Al Jazira kept pushing and got rewarded as Brazilian star Romarinho belted one past the defenders. The goal came as Mabkhout tried a raid from the left side and was well checked by skipper Angel Berlanga. However, Romarinho was quickest on the loose ball and found a gap in 38 minutes, which also was Al Jazira's first shot on goal.
After the break, 'The Navy Blues' kept hunting in search of goals. Al Jazira defence - a combination of young and experienced - stood tall and Khasif brought some nice diving saves. City came agonisingly close on occasions through De Vries and Cameron Howieson but Al Jazira held resolutely to clinch a famous victory.
Al Jazira have replicated the opening day success of 2016 debutant Kashima Antlers' over Auckland City in Japan. Kashima Antlers finished runners-up behind Real Madrid last year. And now Al Jazira's next test comes against Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds on Saturday.
Goals:
Al Jazira: Romarinho (38)
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com