Auckland City fight fatigue factor ahead of play-off

Auckland City will need to restore energy levels after the biggest week in the club's short history before facing African Champions TP Mazembe in a playoff for fifth place at the FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi.

After a ground-breaking but physically draining 2-0 upset win over UAE host club Al Ahli last Thursday, the Oceania Champions could not manage another big step up against North and Central American champions Atlante from Mexico just three days later.

An organised and committed defensive performance was eventually broken down by Atlante, who ran out 3-0 winners with some Auckland players visibly running on empty by the end of that match.

Auckland goalkeeper Jacob Spoonley says overcoming tired legs will be a case of mind, and preparation, over matter.

"Having played two games in a short amount of time the team is feeling jaded," Spoonley said, "but there's a sense of resolution to match the fatigue, especially with the knowledge we've gained about TP Mazembe the African champions."

A day off from training combine with some sightseeing has gone a long way to physically and mentally refreshing the Aucklanders and captain Ivan Vicelich says the team's sights have now been firmly reset.

"We've been focusing on this final match ever since the referee blew for full time in the last one," Vicelich said.

"I'm expecting Mazembe to be tough opponents and we'll have to put in a good performance if we want to beat the African champs. We will be preparing intensively for the match, and once it's under way we'll give 100 per cent and hopefully manage our second win here in Abu Dhabi."

Auckland's victory last week not only earned Auckland the distinction of being the first New Zealand side to win a match at FIFA's tournament for continental club champions it is also extended their stay in the UAE by another two matches to make them one of the most experienced sides in the competition.

The match against Mazembe will be Auckland City's fifth game in the FIFA Club World Cup, bringing the New Zealand champions level with Manchester United in terms of the number of matches played. Egyptian side Al Ahly - who beat Auckland 2-0 in 2006 - are the only side to have contested more games, with seven.

Meanwhile, Auckland's success in reaching the last six teams in Abu Dhabi has meant their NZFC match against YoungHeart Manawatu has been postponed from Sunday to an as-yet-unconfirmed date in the New Year.

FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2009

Play-off for fifth place

Auckland City vs TP Mazembe (Congo DR)

at Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi; at 2:00am on Thursday 17 December (NZT)

TV : Live on Sky Sports 3 from 1.45am

Auckland City (from): 1-Jacob SPOONLEY (GK), 3-Ian HOGG, 4-Sam CAMPBELL, 5-Matt WILLIAMS, 6-LEE Ki-Hyung, 7-James PRITCHETT, 8-Chad COOMBES, 9-Paul URLOVIC, 10-Grant YOUNG, 11-Daniel KOPRIVCIC, 12-Simon EADDY (GK), 13-Alex FENERIDIS, 14-Keryn JORDAN, 15-Ivan VICELICH (captain), 16-Jason HAYNE, 18-Paul GOTHARD (GK), 20-Greg UHLMANN, 21-Riki VAN STEEDEN, 22-Adam DICKINSON, 25-Milos NIKOLIC, 28-Daniel MORGAN
Suspended: 17-Adam MCGEORGE.

TP Mazembe (from): 1-Muteba KIDIABA (GK), 3-Kilitcho KASUSULA, 4-Miala NKULUKUTA, 5-Mukinay TSHANI, 6-A Mukok KANDA, 7-Mianga NDONGA, 8-Mabi MPUTU, 11-Mulota KABANGU, 12-Bawaka MABELE, 13-Mbenza BEDI, 15-Dioko KALUYITUKA, 16-Mbomboko NGOYI, 17-Lufuluabo KAYEMBE, 18-Luyeye MVETE, 20-Kazembe MIHAYO, 21-Aime BAKULA (GK), 22-Mpinu IKAMBA (GK), 23-Sita MILANDU, 24-Amia EKANGA, 27-Ngandu KASONGO, 28-Kanyimbo TSHIZEU, 30-Basisila LUSADISU