Football: Auckland outclass tough rivals for spot in Club Cup quarter-finals and hefty payday

Ivan Vicelich (right) was named man of the match for a commanding performance while Tim Payne (below) battles a laser pointer while taking a penalty. Photo / AFP

It turned out to be the most profitable penalty shootout in the history of New Zealand football.

After 120 minutes of goal-less action in the play-off match at the Fifa Club World Cup, 10 spot kicks separated Auckland City from a pay cheque worth $639,000 and a spot in the quarter-final.

And as Moghreb Tetouan - the Moroccan professionals - crumbled, the amateurs from Auckland kept their cool. Goalkeeper Tamati Williams made a great save, while Tim Payne, John Irving, Darren White and Sanni Issa all blocked out the green lasers pointed at their eyes from the fans to score and set up a fairytale win.

"I don't even feel my feelings right now," said Auckland coach Ramon Tribulietx after the game.

"Winning like that is unbelievable, the best thing in the world. The problem is that up until that moment, it's heartbreaking, you're suffering all game. I thought we were controlling the game, but when the penalty shootouts came in, it's one of those situations where anything can happen. It was a very nervous five or 10 minutes.

"We will enjoy it tonight."

Auckland were defensively superb throughout the match, restricting Tetouan to just one shot on target from the opening 90 minutes. But both teams struggled in attack on a bumpy pitch with long grass and a tense atmosphere generated by the crowd of 35,247.

Auckland created the two best chances to win the game through striker Emiliano Tade, who missed a sitter from 7m out, and a diving Angel Berlanga header in the second half of extra time. "We rode it out perfectly," said Williams. "We knew when to slow it down, we knew when to speed it up, we knew when to time waste and if I'm honest, I thought we could have played slightly better than we did. But the effort was faultless. We bounced right back from the missed chances."

Auckland skipper Ivan Vicelich was named man of the match after a commanding midfield performance.

"Ivan is someone who is capable of stepping up in a game like this," said Tribulietx. "He's 38 but I knew he was going to be all right. It's not only the physicality he brings but also the understanding of the game, when to go, when to look after himself. He's got everything a footballer needs."

Auckland received $639,000 for qualifying for the Fifa Club World Cup and have now doubled their money. If they can upset the Algerian champions ES Setif on Sunday morning, they will add another $639,000 to their bulging bank account.

"Financially it's unbelievable but it's also credibility," said Tribulietx.

"The money is going to be shared with the ASB Premiership franchises and football overall in New Zealand and that's a necessity because money is a bit short in New Zealand Football."