Laba strikes as Al Ain prevail over Auckland City in friendly
Al Ain continued their preparations for the upcoming 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over New Zealand's Auckland City in a friendly match held in Washington, where the team is currently based for their overseas training camp.
The tightly contested encounter served as an important test for the UAE giants as they fine-tune tactics and build momentum ahead of the global tournament.
The match's only goal came courtesy of Togolese striker Kodjo Laba, who showcased his trademark composure and striking instinct to find the back of the net.
His decisive finish proved to be the difference in a game where both sides displayed discipline and determination, but Al Ain's superior quality ultimately turned the tide in their favour.
Despite the narrow scoreline, Al Ain displayed dominance throughout much of the match, maintaining possession and dictating the tempo. The defense remained composed and organized, successfully nullifying Auckland City's counterattacks and long balls. Midfielders showed sharpness in transition, while the attacking line continuously pressed the opposition's backline, creating several chances that kept the New Zealanders under pressure.
This win boosts Al Ain's confidence as they gear up for their opening fixture at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, where they will face Italian powerhouse Juventus on June 18.
The match against one of Europe's most storied clubs is expected to be a major test.
Emirati side Al-Ain won the 2024 Asian Champions League to secure their berth but have endured a dismal 13 months since, and the defence of their continental title ended in ignominy with no wins from eight matches.
Hernan Crespo, who had led the club to their second Asian title, paid the price in November but his replacement Leonardo Jardim lasted only two months before Serbian Vladimir Ivic was drafted in to try to stop the rot.
Togolese striker Laba, who was top scorer in the UAE Pro League last season, and Moroccan winger Soufiane Rahimi will be Al Ain's biggest attacking threats when they take on Manchester City, Juventus and Wydad in the group stage.
Al Hilal fly Asian flag at Club World Cup: Al-Hilal will be the standard bearers for Asian football at the revamped Club World Cup after appointing Simone Inzaghi to coach a squad bristling with playing talent from Saudi Arabia and around the world.
Ruben Neves, Joao Cancelo, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic have all joined Saudi captain Salem Al-Dawsari at the Riyadh-based club since it received major investment from the nation's Public Investment Fund.
Former Inter Milan coach Inzaghi takes over a squad that fell short of their lofty standards by failing to win a fifth Asian Champions League title in May, a misstep that cost Jorge Jesus the chance to lead the team to the Club World Cup.
While Al Hilal head to the tournament with ambitions of making a big impact in a group also featuring Real Madrid, Pachuca and Red Bull Salzburg, the expectations for Asia's three other clubs are likely to be more modest.
At least one Asian team will go into the competition in decent form with Japanese outfit Urawa Red Diamonds showing improved domestic performances under Maciej Skorza.
The Pole led Urawa to the Asian Champions League title in 2023, five months after replacing Ricardo Rodriguez, only to leave at the end of that season for personal reasons.
He returned in late 2024 and has developed a side that are contenders to win the J.League for the first time since their sole title in 2006.
Former Japan midfielder Genki Haraguchi has returned to Urawa after a decade in Germany to lead the club's resurgence alongside the experienced Takahiro Sekine, who was instrumental in the club's Asian Champions League wins in 2017 and 2022.
Urawa have been drawn with River Plate, Inter Milan and Monterrey at the Club World Cup.
South Korea's Ulsan HD will be playing in the competition for the third time after featuring in the earlier iteration in 2012 and 2020.
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