Auckland City beat ES Setif to advance to Club World Cup semifinals

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:25 am
John Irving is mobbed after scoring the winning goal.
Ian Walton - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Image

After winning the playoff for the quarterfinals on Wednesday, Auckland City continued their incredible rise by beating African champions ES Setif 1-0 in Rabat. 

The Oceanic champions, who are made up of part-time footballers, will now take on CONMEBOL's San Lorenzo in Marrakech on Wednesday for an unlikely place in the final.

Setif started the game better with Mohamed Benyettou's header flying just wide on 20 minutes, but Ryan De Vries went close with a long range effort 10 minutes later.

Auckland showed they weren't there just to make up the numbers and Angel Berlanga chipped Setif goalkeeper Sofiane Khedairia just before half-time only to watch his effort glance off the crossbar.

The New Zealanders were ahead in the second half though, as centre-back John Irving took advantage of a corner that wasn't cleared to neatly slot home after beating a defender.

Goalkeeper Tamati Williams then came to the fore to block from Benyettou and De Vries could have made the game safe with a curling effort that went just wide.

However, Auckland held on for a famous win and will go into the semifinal full of confidence.

Auckland City coach Ramon Tribulietx was delighted with the win.

"Our players were unbelievable," he said. "I'm very proud of [them].

"We haven't conceded a goal in two games. This is a great tribute to the work the club [has put in]. Coming up here and reaching the semifinals of a tournament like this is unbelievable."