Auckland City FC draws with Boca Juniors as amateur side produces Club World Cup boilover

It might not have been the shot heard around the world but it was a goal that reverberated 13,000 kilometres away when Auckland City FC scored to draw 1-1 with Boca Juniors at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Christian Gray, a trainee PE teacher at Mt Roskill Intermediate School in Auckland, rose to meet the corner of Jerson Lagos, a barber, and headed in the equaliser as the mostly-amateur team from New Zealand held Diego Maradona's famous old Argentine club to a draw.

Auckland lost 10-0 to Bayern Munich and 6-0 to Benfica in its first two matches, leading to questions over FIFA's decision to allow a team of part-timers from Oceania, it's smallest confederation, to compete with the professional superstars of world football.

Even Auckland City's local paper, the New Zealand Herald, joined the critics, suggesting the team had "damaged Auckland City FC's proud 20-year legacy" in FIFA events.

"It's been a trying few weeks," the Herald reported after two defeats. "In the past, Auckland City have been renowned for punching above their weight on the global stage, while usually having a couple of outstanding individuals. That hasn't quite been the case here."

But Auckland City left its best to last, producing an outstanding performance to the satisfaction of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who was among the crowd at the match in Nashville.

"It's been a tough trip, you know, we've had some tough results, but just happy for the team," Gray said.

"I think we deserve it. We got a little bit of respect back, I hope.

"We rely on volunteers, we don't have a lot of money, so I'm just happy that they're happy."

Auckland City fans had something to celebrate in the team's final game at the Club World Cup. (Getty Images: Matthew Maxey)

Radio New Zealand described the draw with Boca Juniors as "stunning."

"Thanks to Gray's heroics and some incredibly committed defence, Auckland City managed to pull off a result that will reverberate strongly around the football world," RNZ said.

The New Zealand Herald branded it "remarkable" and "famous."

"The squad of real estate agents, teachers, sales reps, tradesmen, and students would have hoped they could make a mark on the world stage while knowing it was probably impossible," the newspaper wrote.

"But they have done it — against massive odds.

"Anyone around the football world coming across this result will be rubbing their eyes in disbelief. But it's true. It's all true."

AP

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