Fifa Club World Cup: Golden New Zealand moments

Auckland City celebrate reaching the semifinals at the Club World Cup. Photo / Getty

Can Auckland City achieve another miracle? They are massive underdogs for their Fifa Club World Cup clash with J League champions Kashima Antlers in Yokohama, and rank outsiders with bookmakers.

But on the eve of Auckland City's big clash, Michael Burgess looks back at some big moments from New Zealand's participation at the Club World Cup.

6. Paul Seaman's goal, Waitakere United vs Adelaide United, 2008
It wasn't the most beautiful strike - with Seaman being the first to react to a goal keeping error - but his quick reaction gave Waitakere United the lead against Adelaide United. It was just the second time in four games a New Zealand side been on the scoreboard at the Club World Cup, and the only previous goal was an own goal by Iranian opponents Sepahan in 2007. However, Waitakere's lead only lasted five minutes and Adelaide went on to win 2-1.

5. Sanni Issa penalty, Auckland City vs Moghreb Teutoen, 2014
The shootout score was locked at 3-3 when Sanni Issa strode forward to take Auckland City's fifth penalty kick against Moroccan champions Moghreb Tétouan. Wearing boots that were a size too big, and with 35,000 local supporters baying for blood and some using laser pointers to distract the Auckland players, Issa had every right to be crippled by nerves. But the Nigerian, who had only arrived at Auckland City a few weeks earlier, coolly slotted his penalty into the top left hand corner. That put the pressure back on Tetouan and they hit the post with their next spot kick, handing the victory to the Oceania team.

4. Chad Coombes blast, Auckland City vs Al Ahli, 2009
Playing against UAE champions Al Ahli, Adam Dickinson's goal on the stroke of half time had given Auckland City a precious 1-0 lead. Both sides had further chances before a special moment from Coombes sealed the result. After receiving a cut back almost 20 metres from goal, the one time All White unleashed a left footed drive that rocketed into the Al Ahli net. There was still more than 25 minutes to play but no way back for the hosts, as Paul Posa's team achieved the first win by a New Zealand team at a Club World Cup.

3. John Irving's golden touch, Auckland City vs ES Setif, 2014
Irving had been on Everton's books until the age of 21 and his performances at the 2014 Club World Cup showed why. Along with captain Ivan Vicelich, Irving was a standout for Auckland City. He was the defensive rock at the back, countering almost every threat with his pace and anticipation as the New Zealand franchise went 257 minutes without conceding a goal. But his finest moment came at the other end of the field, with a goal of real quality that booked Auckland City's improbable place in the last four. From an attacking corner, the ball fell to Irving just outside the area. He eluded his marker with a clever dummy, before driving a low shot past the Setif goal keeper.

2. Riki Van Steeden's moment, Auckland City vs TP Mazembe, 2009
Auckland City had already created history in 2009 by advancing beyond the first match and later faced African champions TP Mazembe in the playoff for fifth place. With the scored locked at 2-2 after 90 minutes and the game headed for extra time, Auckland City launched a final counter attack. After a quick move down the left flank, the ball was fed to substitute Riki Van Steeden, who had been on the field for less than 20 minutes. Van Steeden hit a first time shot from the edge of the area that beat the Mazembe keeper at his near post to cue a huge celebration - and unprecedented pay day - for the Auckland club.

1. Angel Berlanga's goal, Auckland City vs San Lorenzo 2014
Auckland City had competed well against South American champions San Lorenzo, before conceding a goal right on halftime. In most situations the underdogs would fade, but they conjured a remarkable equaliser in the 67th minute. Emiliano Tade unlocked the Argentine defence with a precise through ball which eluded Ryan De Vries but rolled on to fullback Berlanga. From an impossible angle Berlanga found the net to bring Auckland level. Around 10 minutes later Tade had his own chance - with only the keeper to beat - to take the ASB Premiership team into a final against Real Madrid. However he miscued his shot wide and San Lorenzo clinched the match in extra time. ​