Auckland City's Club World Cup participation is a privilege with a price
MIAMI :Adam Mitchell knows he is going to lose money this month.
The Auckland City defender left his job selling houses in New Zealand to take part in the Club World Cup, where the eventual champions will pocket a staggering $125 million — while his semi-professional team plays on for pride and an appearance fee still under negotiation.
"My business runs on a commission basis only," Mitchell told Reuters on Thursday after his side's humbling 10-0 defeat to European giants Bayern Munich at the expanded Club World Cup.
"If I'm not back working, there's no income coming in. But a tournament like this, you have to be willing to make sacrifices and that's what a lot of us have done."
The Club World Cup's new, lucrative format has attracted criticism for its schedule congestion at the end of a long European season.
Mitchell and his teammates, many of whom work as teachers, delivery drivers, and tradesmen, are effectively paying out of their own pockets for the privilege of competing on this stage.
It is not just Mitchell's earnings that are taking a hit. New Zealand's labour laws typically grant around four to five weeks of annual leave per year — most of which, for Auckland's players, was already used up during last year's Oceania qualifying tournament.
"The players that went to the qualification for this tournament, well, we played in the Solomon Islands. That was three weeks," Mitchell explained.
"Some people have run out of annual leave. People are kind of in negative days and taking unpaid leave. So, it's nice for people to know the sacrifices we make to be here."
While the tournament offers prize money tiers based on performance, Auckland City, representing one of football's smallest confederations, will receive the lowest payout - a fraction of the $3.58 million meant for Oceania.
Even that amount, Mitchell noted, is still subject to ongoing negotiations between the club and New Zealand Football.
NO MERCY
On the pitch, the gulf between part-time semi-professionals and global superstars was on brutal display. Bayern Munich, ranked among the world's elite, named a starting 11 packed with internationals, showing no mercy en route to a double-digit victory.
'Conceding 10 goals isn't a nice feeling,' Mitchell admitted. "But I think we have to realise the calibre of team and calibre of players we were up against.
"The fact that they did put their strongest team out and they didn't take the pedal off the metal at all. They just kept going and going and going, which, it's not great for us, but in a way that's a sign of respect."
The heavy defeat has not dampened spirits within the Auckland camp. With two more games to play in their group against Benfica and Boca Juniors, Mitchell said he and his teammates are determined to leave their mark.
"If you watched the (Bayern) game, you could see we never give up regardless of the scoreline," he said.
Back home, Mitchell juggles the demands of a commission-based real estate job with evening training sessions and coaching duties at the club. His typical day starts early, squeezing in gym sessions before work, and ends late at night after training.
"It's not ideal for my wife," he joked.
"I don't get to see her that often, but she really respects the fact that this is a sacrifice that we have to make and she also has to make.
"(For her) just seeing myself and the whole team on the stage and obviously against the best players in the world, I think it's a really proud moment."
Mitchell admits that while the financial hit stings, the exposure could pay off in other ways.
"Maybe if someone was watching on TV and they realised I was in the industry, maybe they just want to have a chat and that's the way you can build some rapport," he said.
To the critics who have questioned the inclusion of Auckland City in a competition of this scale, Mitchell remains unapologetic.
"We don't bother too much about critics. We've earned the right to be here. People have to realise we are semi-professionals, but we do treat training and we treat our club like a professional club, with the resources we have," said Mitchell, whose side face Benfica on Friday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
19 minutes ago
- CNA
In-form Kolo Muani wants to stay at Juventus after Club World Cup
On-loan France striker Randal Kolo Muani said he would like to stay at Juventus next season after a Man of the Match performance for the Italian team in their impressive Club World Cup opener. Kolo Muani, who arrived at the club from Paris Saint Germain on a short-term deal in January, scored two goals as Juventus hammered Al-Ain 5-0 on Wednesday, taking his tally to five goals in his last six matches for the Italian club. "Honestly, I feel very good here," the 26-year-old told Mediaset after the Group G match in Washington D.C. "I can play well and score goals. I am happy, I hope to stay." General manager Damien Comolli told reporters last week that Juventus had discussed another loan with PSG when negotiating an extension to Kolo Muani's existing deal for the Club World Cup. "I'm optimistic that we can come to an agreement with PSG regarding a loan for the entire 25-26 season," he said. "Paris Saint Germain have certainly not closed the door to a loan, and they know the player wants to stay with us." Juventus coach Igor Tudor's optimistic response to Wednesday's victory might have been tempered by the knowledge that the two best performers in the game are only at the club on deals which expire after the tournament. Portuguese winger Francisco Conceicao, who is on loan from Porto, also grabbed a brace of goals after terrorising the Al-Ain defence from both flanks at Audi Field. Tudor has used the 22-year-old sparingly since taking over from Thiago Motta in March, suggesting Juventus might not be ready to trigger the 30 million euros ($34.57 million) buyout clause in his contract and keep him in Turin. In the short term, however, Tudor has both players at his disposal for the Club World Cup, which continues for Juventus with games against Wydad Casablanca on Sunday and Manchester City next Thursday. Kolo Muani for one is certainly buying into the Croatian's programme. "He trusts me, he wants to attack and he wants to keep the defence strong," he told the post-match press conference.
Straits Times
23 minutes ago
- Straits Times
In-form Kolo Muani wants to stay at Juventus after Club World Cup
In-form Kolo Muani wants to stay at Juventus after Club World Cup On-loan France striker Randal Kolo Muani said he would like to stay at Juventus next season after a Man of the Match performance for the Italian team in their impressive Club World Cup opener. Kolo Muani, who arrived at the club from Paris Saint Germain on a short-term deal in January, scored two goals as Juventus hammered Al-Ain 5-0 on Wednesday, taking his tally to five goals in his last six matches for the Italian club. "Honestly, I feel very good here," the 26-year-old told Mediaset after the Group G match in Washington D.C. "I can play well and score goals. I am happy, I hope to stay." General manager Damien Comolli told reporters last week that Juventus had discussed another loan with PSG when negotiating an extension to Kolo Muani's existing deal for the Club World Cup. "I'm optimistic that we can come to an agreement with PSG regarding a loan for the entire 25-26 season," he said. "Paris Saint Germain have certainly not closed the door to a loan, and they know the player wants to stay with us." Juventus coach Igor Tudor's optimistic response to Wednesday's victory might have been tempered by the knowledge that the two best performers in the game are only at the club on deals which expire after the tournament. Portuguese winger Francisco Conceicao, who is on loan from Porto, also grabbed a brace of goals after terrorising the Al-Ain defence from both flanks at Audi Field. Tudor has used the 22-year-old sparingly since taking over from Thiago Motta in March, suggesting Juventus might not be ready to trigger the 30 million euros ($34.57 million) buyout clause in his contract and keep him in Turin. In the short term, however, Tudor has both players at his disposal for the Club World Cup, which continues for Juventus with games against Wydad Casablanca on Sunday and Manchester City next Thursday. Kolo Muani for one is certainly buying into the Croatian's programme. "He trusts me, he wants to attack and he wants to keep the defence strong," he told the post-match press conference. "I'm very happy to play with my teammates, we are very happy and we play very strong." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
Flamengo will stay true to their identity against Chelsea, coach Filipe Luis says
PHILADELPHIA :Flamengo manager Filipe Luis vowed on Thursday that his team will remain faithful to their "fierce, relentless style" as they prepare to face Chelsea in a highly anticipated Club World Cup encounter on Friday. Flamengo, who top the Brazilian league, will look to end a 13-year winless streak for South American teams against European counterparts. The side enter the match in scintillating form after five consecutive victories in all competitions, including a convincing 2-0 win over Esperance de Tunis in their tournament opener. Ahead of the match, Filipe Luis emphasized his unwavering belief in his team's philosophy. "Never give up on your convictions. I have a conviction, a very clear idea of what I think about the game," he told reporters. "I would never, ever change my team because of an opponent. It would be completely and absolutely wrong for the players. We will play the way we have been preparing for eight months." Filipe Luis has built a Flamengo side that thrive on controlling possession and dictating the tempo of matches. He acknowledged, however, that Friday's clash with Chelsea will require "sacrifice" and highlighted the importance of an experienced defense featuring former Juventus fullbacks Danilo and Alex Sandro against the Premier League side's quality. "Experience always helps because these elite clubs have decisive players who don't lose the ball and create dangerous plays," the Flamengo coach said. "We know it will be a game of sacrifice. We won't always have the ball, and when we don't, we'll have to run and fight together as a team. The players understand this because they've been doing it ever since I was their teammate and now as their coach." Flamengo lead Group D with three points, edging Chelsea to the top spot due to the tiebreaker criterion of yellow cards. Los Angeles FC and Esperance have yet to register a point and will meet in Friday's other group fixture. Filipe Luis, who played for Chelsea during his career, expressed confidence in his team's unity and determination. "The only way to win is with all 11 players pulling in the same direction. Knowing this is the way forward, we definitely have a chance," he said. Friday's match promises a clash of styles, with Flamengo's attacking flair and possession-based approach going up against Chelsea's defensive solidity and elite individual talent.
