TOKYO, Dec 6 (Reuters) - New Zealand part-timers Waitakere United admit the Club World Cup could amount to an exercise in damage limitation for them.
An eclectic mix of teachers, bankers, salesmen and hod-carriers, the Oceania champions are rank outsiders to beat Iran's Sepahan in the tournament's opening game on Friday. 'It's a massive game - real David and Goliath stuff,' Waitakere captain Danny Hay on Thursday. 'We've got the weight of our confederation on our shoulders.' Hay, a no-nonsense central defender formerly of English club Leeds United, said victory over Sepahan in Tokyo would rank as one of the biggest achievements in New Zealand soccer history. 'It would be like the All Whites qualifying for the 1982 World Cup or beating Georgia 3-1 last year -- New Zealand's first win on European soil.' Founded in 2004, Waitakere earned their spot at the Club World Cup after beating Fijian side Ba on away goals in April but Hay was under no illusions about the task facing them in Japan. 'We've got builders, teachers, salesmen and all sorts,' he said. 'I used to get annoyed when the builders would be so tired and heavy-legged at training. 'But I've got a normal job now. I teach and I know how tough it is to train after a day's work.' Sepahan's objectives are more ambitious. Victory on Friday would give them a chance to avenge their 3-1 aggregate defeat by Japan's Urawa Reds in the Asian Champions League final last month. AC Milan await in the semi-finals. 'It is true we would love to play Urawa again,' Sepahan's Croatian coach Luka Bonacic told reporters. 'Everyone talks about Urawa but we have to play Waitakere first and respect them. 'Please stop talking about Urawa!' For Waitakere, respectability will be the keyword with players from Milan and Boca Juniors likely to be watching from the VIP seats at Tokyo's National Stadium. FIFA President Sepp Blatter admitted last year that fellow amateurs Auckland City had done little to boost the competition's credibility, adding to the pressure on the New Zealanders. 'There are mis-matches across the world,' said Waitakere coach Chris Milicich. 'Liverpool spank a Turkish side (Besiktas) 8-0 in the Champions League. 'On any given day any side can get taken apart. Greece won the (2004) European Championship playing a style which everyone derided. Do you think anyone in Greece cared?' Milicich added: 'We've got players who can handle the pressure - not just soccer but in their normal jobs. They're not bad boys I can tell you.' _______________________________________________ the Leeds List is an unmoderated mailing list and the list administrators accept no liability for the personal views and opinions of contributors. Leedslist mailing list [email protected] http://list.zetnet.co.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist DELETE THE FOOTERS WHEN REPLYING YOU LAZY SODS!!!! DELETE THE FOOTERS WHEN REPLYING YOU LAZY SODS!!!!
