Tokyo-Ahmed Abd-Rabou: Auckland City FC coach Allan Jones said he is confident his team can beat African champions Ahli in the opening game of the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) on Sunday. Jones spoke of Auckland's chances in the CWC in a press conference for the New Zealand team in Tokyo on Thursday, noting that Ahli were a team to reckoned with. "We know they [Al Ahli] are an extremely hard-working, disciplined side," said Jones. "Technically, they are very good. They have a superb playmaker and they won't tippy-tap around. They play a very direct brand of football with front runners who receive expertly." But the seasoned tactician said his players know what they need to do in their first major international appearance. "We have to unlock them, break their normal 3-4-1-2 shape," said Jones. "We are going to attack them but without throwing caution to the wind."
Jones has made clear the Oceania champions know what will be at stake when the face the Egyptian giants. This is a very, very important match for Auckland City," said the caretaker coach. "The result, obviously, is crucial but we are not forgetting a win would take us into the semifinals and a guaranteed extra $700000-$800000," he added. Jones was called upon by Auckland City to replace Roger Wilkinson on a temporary basis to help the team, who he helped reach Japan, complete their mission. "I'm glad to be back," he said. "We had a great qualifying campaign in Oceania, but now we have to work hard because we will be facing professional opponents in Japan."
