Soccer: Spoonley named in goal for City

Auckland City goalkeeper Jacob Spoonley. Photo / Getty Images

ABU DHABI - Jacob Spoonley has won a tough battle for the start in goal for Auckland City in tomorrow's Fifa Club World Cup opener against United Arab Emirates champions Al Ahli.

Spoonley, who has played one game for the All Whites, has edged out Paul Gothard for the goalkeeping berth in what coach Paul Posa said was an especially difficult decision.

The two goalkeepers have "trained their socks off" under the watchful eye of goalkeeping coach Simon Eaddy, who admitted there was very little between the pair.

"Paul is naturally disappointed," said Posa. "But now he wants to be 100 per cent behind Jacob and give him all the support and encouragement he can."

This key match affords Spoonley the chance to shrug off the disappointment of his one All Whites outing - the dead game against Fiji a year ago when the home-based, under-strength All Whites were beaten.

For Spoonley, and a couple of other players, notably James Pritchett and Chad Coombes, tomorrow's game is their chance to further force their All Whites claims as coach Ricki Herbert considers his options for next year's World Cup.

Posa has yet to name the rest of his starting XI but he is unlikely to stray far from what has become a more or less first choice selection in recent weeks.

The back four of Pritchett, captain Ivan Vicelich, Greg Uhlmann and Ian Hogg appears a given while Ki-Hyung Lee, Matt Williams and Adam McGeorge should start in midfield.

While Coombes and Daniel Koprivcic seem likely to start up front, there are options to be considered for the third spot with Adam Dickinson and Jason Hayne the most serious contenders.

This would leave Posa with plenty of attacking options on his bench with Paul Urlovic, Grant Young and Keryn Jordan in that frame.

Al Ahli's obvious strengths are in striker Jader Volnie Spindler, midfielders Ali Abbas and Iranian Mehrzad Madanchi and left back Yousif Jaber.

Posa has done all he can to prepare.

"It is now time to get out and play," he said. "I'll be very disappointed if we don't win. I'm not saying we are the favourites but if we don't believe in ourselves there is no point in coming."

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP
* Auckland City v Al Ahli
* Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
* Tomorrow 5am (NZ time) Live SS3 (from 4.45am)
* Auckland City (likely): Jacob Spoonley, James Pritchett, Ivan Vicelich (c), Greg Uhlmann, Ian Hogg, Ki-Hyung Lee, Matt Williams, Adam McGeorge, Chad Coombes, Daniel Koprivcic, Adam Dickenson or Jason Hayne.