New Zealand’s Team Wellington have become the third team to confirm their place at this year’s Fifa Club World Cup in the UAE after they won the Oceania Champions League on Sunday for the first time.
The junior professional side defeated FC Lautoka 4-3 in Fiji in the second leg of the continental final to seal a 10-3 aggregate win.
The victory atoned for Wellington’s final defeat to Auckland City three years ago, while it also booked entry to their first Club World Cup. The seven-team event takes place in the Emirates from December 12-22, the second successive year the country has played host. Last year, Real Madrid were crowned champions in Abu Dhabi.
Managed by Englishman Jose Manuel Figueira, Wellington join at the Club World Cup Mexico’s Guadalajara and host representatives Al Ain. The New Zealanders will meet the UAE champions in the tournament opener at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on December 12, with the winner advancing to the quarter-finals.
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Speaking after Sunday’s win in Fiji, Figueira said: “I’m delighted. We’re still absorbing everything, but after a season of tremendous hard work, to finally clinch the big one is a tremendous feeling.”
Wellington’s triumph ended a run of seven straight Oceania Champions League titles for Auckland City, whose record ninth Club World Cup appearance ended last year with defeat to Abu Dhabi’s Al Jazira in the opening play-off.
The next side to compete in the UAE this year will be determined on Saturday, when Madrid take on Liverpool in the Uefa Champions League final in Kiev. However, the remaining three entrants – the winner of South America's Libertadores Cup, the Asian Champions League and the African Champions League – will not be known until November.
This is for those that came before. For the club members. The volunteers. Our amazing supporters. For our City. For NZ, but most of all this is for an incredible group of history makers...the players. Their selflessness, trust & togetherness was! ⚫️🔶🏆 #Teedubs #WeReady #OFCCL pic.twitter.com/zrsCFKVc38
— José Manuel Figueira (@JoseCoaching) May 20, 2018
“Qualifying for the Fifa Club World Cup UAE 2018 is a great achievement for Team Wellington," said Aref Al Awani, tournament director of the Club World Cup’s Local Organising Committee. "Winning the Oceania continental title presents the club and the players with a rare opportunity to rub shoulders against some of the best footballers in the world, an experience that will undoubtedly help their development.
“Part of the special appeal of the Fifa Club World Cup is that it exposes all qualified clubs, coaches, players and fans to new opportunities and experiences. We welcome Team Wellington to Abu Dhabi and Al Ain and will strive to ensure the experience for them and their fans is a memorable one.”
FULL TIME | 2018 @OFCChampsLeague winners! 🏆 Final whistle here at Churchill Park in Lautoka and #teedubs have done it! @FIFAcom Club World Cup HERE. WE. COME! #OFCCL #LAUWLG (3-4) pic.twitter.com/Sgmxs2K0SV
— Team Wellington (@TeamWelly) May 20, 2018
