UAE's Al Jazira advance after beating Auckland City in Club World Cup opener
Xinhua,December 07, 2017 Adjust font size:
ABU DHABI, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Hosts United Arab Emirates' Al Jazira advanced to the quarterfinals after beating Oceania champions Auckland City 1-0 in the Club World Cup opener in Al Ain City on Wednesday.
Brazilian striker Romarinho's long-range score shortly before half-time came out the winner for Al Jazira, which qualified as the UAE league champions.
The local favorites next play Asian champions Urawa Reds on Saturday, while Auckland City were sent packing home early.
Holders of the Club World Cup and European champions Real Madrid will wait for the winners between Al Jazira and the Japanese outfit in the semifinals on December 13.
The other half of the draw begins on Saturday with Mexicans Pachuca, the CONCACAF champions, taking ON African champions Wydad Casablanca and vying for a berth to face South American champions Gremio in the last four on December 12.
The final will be played on December 16 in Abu Dhabi. Nine of the past 10 titles have been won by European teams. Enditem