CONCACAF Champs are Comfortable Winners

The champions of the CONCACAF Zone, which includes the United States, Atlante, made a comfortable winning start to the 2009 World Club Cup campaign. They breezed past Oceania champions, Auckland City, 3-0 in Abu Dhabi.

It was Auckland’s second match, having conquered UAE champions there as the host nation, in an earlier qualifier. Goals from Daniel Arreola Arguello, Christian Bermúdez and a last minute third by Lucas Silva secured passage into the next round for the Mexican side at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

Atlante will now play Barcelona in the next round while Auckland will now go into the play-off for fifth place, against TP Mazembe, earlier victims of Asian champs Pohang Steelers.

Atlante took a deserved lead in the 36th minute, when Adam McGeorge lashed at a clearance in his own penalty box and horribly miskicked. It fell to Arguello who finished with space to spare. From then on, the Mexican side never looked in any trouble.

It will be a different matter entirely when they face the European champions on December 16.

Subscribe to Radio Sounders Show (The shows will download to your I Tunes automatically)

Commission an Award-Winning Prost Amerika Match Report for your child, school or team. Send us an email for further details.*
*Discount for Washington Youth Soccer Members. Perfect for a birthday present too.