Auckland City have been knocked out of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, losing 6-2 to Asian club champions Al Ain in the first round.
The Oceania club champions conceded two early goals, and two more in stoppage time, but were competitive for the period between.
Goals from Jergon Lagos and debutant Myer Bevan closed the score to 3-2 in the second half but as Auckland City head coach Albert Riera said after the game, “we ran out of legs”.
Playing in hot and humid conditions at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the home side got off to a flyer with Fabio Cardoso scoring with a header in the sixth minute.
A long-range shot from Sekou Baba doubled Al Ain’s lead in the 12th minute.
The New Zealand side settled into their work and reduced the deficit in the 43rd minute when Jergon Lagos scored directly from a corner, his curling ball eluding everyone in the packed box.
Al Ain added a third in first-half added time, through Matias Palacios.
Auckland City silenced the large home crowd with their second goal, scored from a neat passing move that allowed new signing Myer Bevan to tap in from close.
READ MORE: All Whites striker Myer Bevan in Auckland City’s Intercontinental Cup squad >>>>
Bevan had signed for City in the lead-up to the game, after his departure from Canadian Premier League club Cavalry.
With half an hour to go, the game became an even affair, but Al Ain patiently wore down the Aucklanders.
As the effects of heat and fatigue kicked in, and City pushed forward, their opponents struck through Soufiane Rahimi, who scored the goal of the game in the 78th minute, and two goals in stoppage time.
The win means Al Ain face Egyptian champions Al Ahly in October.
Auckland City fly home to start their Men’s National League campaign against Birkenhead United on Sunday.
Auckland City head coach Albert Riera said he was proud of his team’s performance, saying he had encouraged his players to play without fear, and to have no regrets.
They had given their all, he said, but “we ran out of legs” in the last 20 minutes, when the heat and fatigue caught up with the visitors.
Match stats (Al Ain / Auckland City)
Possession: 61% / 39%
Shots: 27 / 10
Shots on target: 16 / 6
Corners: 8 / 5
Offsides: 2 / 0
Result
Game played on Monday September 23, 2024
Al Ain 6 (Fabio Cardoso 6’, Sekou Baba 12’, Matias Palacios 45+7’, Soufiane Rahimi 78’, 90+4’, Alejandro Romera 90+3’)
Auckland City 2 (Jergon Lagos 43’, Myer Bevan 55’)
FIFA Intercontinental Cup
Six clubs qualified to contest the cup:
- Auckland City (New Zealand, OFC Men’s Champions League winners)
- Al Ain (UAE, AFC Men’s Champions League winners)
- Real Madrid (Spain, UEFA Champions League winners)
- C.F. Pachuca (Mexico, CONCACAF Champions Cup winners)
- Al Ahly SC (Egypt, CAF Champions League winners)
- To be decided (winners of 2024 Copa Libertadores in South America; final set for November 30)
This story was first published on September 23, 2024.
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