Auckland City have lost their second friendly at their Spanish training camp as they prepare for next week’s FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco.
The Navy Blues lost 1-0 with the Korean champions Jeonbuk Motors scoring the game’s only goal with a minute to go.
The match provided Auckland City with strong opposition, with Jeonbuk being nine-time winners of the K League and holders of the Korean FA Cup five times.
Jeonbuk are also in training camp at Barcelona’s Futbol Salou Sports Complex, which is also being used by Gdansk, of Poland, and Hertha Berlin, of Germany.
Main photo: Joe Lee (left) and Ryan de Vries with the team as they prepare for a training session. Credit: Auckland City Media.
An interested spectator at the match was former Auckland City head coach Roman Tribulietx, who led the side to their third placing at the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup.
The starting XI for City was: Conor Tracey, Regont Murati, Adam Mitchell, Nikki Boxall, Nathan Lobo, Michael den Heijer, Cam Howieson (captain), Gerard Garriga, Dylan Manickum, Ryan de Vries.
Subs: Cam Brown (GK), Finn Dockerty (GK), Mario Ilich, Christian Gray, Angus Kilkolly, Aidan Carey, Takuya Iwata, Liam Gillion, Adam Bell, Matt Ellis.
Played in cold and windy conditions, the match provided a solid workout for the Navy Blues, and coach Albert Riera worked his bench to get everyone game time.
With a minute to go, the Koreans scored the winner when a shot rattled the City cross bar and the rebound was tapped in at the far post.
In their first warm-up game, City lost 1-0 to Spanish sixth-tier club Reus FC Reddis.
READ MORE: Auckland City ‘on track’ despite loss to Spanish side in warm-up game >>>>
City’s next game is against Barcelona B in midweek.
Result
Game played on Sunday January 22, 2023
Auckland City 0
Jeonbuk Motors 1
Fixtures
Game to be played on Wednesday January 25, 2023
Auckland City v Barcelona B
Barcelona, Spain (k/o TBC)
FIFA Club World Cup (1st round)
Game to be played on Thursday February 2, 2023
Auckland City v Al Ahly (Egypt)
Tangiers, Morocco (8am NZT)
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READ MORE: Our stories about Auckland City’s FIFA Club World Cup campaign >>>>
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