Auckland City FC Seek Silver Lining In Nashville
24 June 2025
NASHVILLE, Tennessee - For Auckland City FC, Tuesday's clash with Boca Juniors is more than a final fixture, it's a final stand.
After two humbling defeats in Group C, the Navy Blues are out of the FIFA Club World Cup™, but not out of fight.
Against the backdrop of a raucous, blue-and-gold-drenched Geodis Park, they'll look to sign off with pride against one of South America's most storied clubs.
Spanish midfielder Gerard Garrig24 June 2025a embodies the spirit and determination of the team from Auckland.
'We're gutted after the two losses,' he admitted in the build-up, 'but we know we can do better. We showed that for 60 minutes against Benfica. Now we want to compete for the full 90.'
Garriga's words are more than pre-match platitudes. Against Benfica, Auckland held their shape, kept the ball, and even carved out chances.
'We were more confident with the ball,' he said. 'We're a team that's used to playing with the ball in New Zealand and Oceania. Against Bayern, we couldn't get it. But against Benfica, we grew into the game.'
Boca Juniors arrive in Nashville with a mountain to climb. They must win, and win big, to have any hope of progressing.
With Benfica likely to face a stern test from Bayern Munich, Boca's path to the knockouts hinges on goal difference. Expect Miguel Ángel Russo's side to come out swinging.
Garriga knows what's coming. 'They're going to go with everything,' he said. 'They need goals. The challenge is to keep a clean sheet as long as we can, frustrate them with the ball, defend well, help each other. If we do that, we have a lot of possibilities to have a good performance.'
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The atmosphere will be electric. Boca's fans have lit up the tournament with their passion, and Tuesday promises more of the same. Garriga, far from being daunted, is relishing it.
'It's going to be amazing. Thousands of Argentinians, so loud. We have to enjoy it. It might be once in a lifetime.'
He believes the occasion could even lift his side. 'It's going to be an extra motivation. We're not used to playing in front of that many people. But it's going to be positive. We're buzzing to be in that game.'
For Boca, it's a must-win. For Auckland City FC, it's a must-remember. Garriga summed it up best:
'Compete 90 minutes. That's the goal. If we do that, anything can happen. A draw, maybe even a win. That would be a great way to finish this tournament.'
MATCH DETAILS
FIFA Club World Cup USA 2025™
Auckland City FC vs Boca Juniors
Geodis Park, Nashville, Tennessee
KO: Tuesday, 24 June 2025, 4:00PM (Local Time) -Wednesday, 25 June 2025,7:00 AM (NZT)
AC SQUAD: 1. Conor TRACEY (GK) 2. Mario ILICH (C) 3. Adam MITCHELL 4. Christian GRAY 5. Nikko BOXALL, 6. Jackson MANUEL 7. Myer BEVAN 8. Gerard GARRIGA 9. Angus KILKOLLY 10. Dylan MANICKUM 11. Ryan DE VRIES 12. Regont MURATI 13. Nathan LOBO 14. Jordan VALE, 15. Jeremy FOO, 16. Joe LEE 17. Jerson LAGOS 18. Sebastian CIGANDA (GK) 19. Dylan CONNOLLY, 20. Matt ELLIS, 21. Adam KANUI BELL 22. Tong ZHOU 23. Alfie ROGERS, 24. Nathan GARROW (GK) 25. Michael DEN HEIJER, 26. David YOO, 27. Haris ZEB.
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