appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

SCMP Sport

Agence France-Presse

Auckland City interim boss Ivan Vicelich hailed his players’ efforts despite them losing 10-0 to Bayern Munich in their Fifa Club World Cup opener in Ohio on Sunday.
Jamal Musiala scored a hat-trick, while Thomas Muller – playing his final matches for the German champions – netted twice.
“It is a dream for players coming from an amateur level to play in this environment,” Vicelich said.
“We knew it was going to be a very difficult game, playing against one of the top teams in the world, potentially one of the favourites for the Club World Cup, so we are just really proud of the players’ efforts.”

Winners of the past four editions of Oceania’s Champions League, Auckland came into the tournament as minnows – they are at number 5,074 in the Opta world rankings – and the gulf in class was obvious in this Group C encounter.
Kingsley Coman and Michael Olise scored two apiece, with Sacha Boey also on the scoresheet.
Muller’s second, which made it 10-0 in the 89th minute, was his 250th for his boyhood club, from whom he will depart after 17 years once the tournament ends.
Bayern boss Vincent Kompany urged his players to not get too carried away with the victory, but was pleased his side set out their intentions early.
“We have to remain modest but it was important to be able to say that we took the game seriously,” Kompany said. “It was a good first match at the tournament, but of course challenges are going to grow and it’s going to become more difficult.”
In Group B, Uefa Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain reaffirmed their status as tournament favourites with a 4-0 thumping of Atletico Madrid in the first battle between two European heavyweights.
Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring before Vitinha doubled PSG’s lead in first-half stoppage time.
Atletico had Clement Lenglet sent off 12 minutes from time and Senny Mayulu then made it 3-0 on 87 minutes before South Korea forward Lee Kang-in netted a penalty deep into stoppage time.
“I think that in this competition, we’ve set ourselves the goal to make history,” PSG boss Luis Enrique said. “We are entering a new chapter, and we need to show it’s possible to reinvent ourselves.
“It’s a good challenge. We need to keep fighting and working to win games. I was happy with the way we performed today.”

Also in Group B, Brazil’s Botafogo earned a 2-1 victory over Seattle Sounders at the American side’s home stadium.
Jair Cunha and Igor Jesus scored first-half headers to give the Copa Libertadores champions the lead before Cristian Roldan pulled one back 15 minutes from time.
In Group A, Portuguese side Porto drew 0-0 with Palmeiras of Brazil at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.


Fifa World Cup: Hwang In-beom stars as South Koreans snatch 2-1 comeback win over Czechs

Excitement and chaos: Mexico set, but not quite ready, for first World Cup in 40 years

Fifa boss Infantino defends World Cup ticket prices, visa issues for officials and fans

As the World Cup kicks off, politics should be left behind

Fifa

Fifa Club World Cup: Auckland ‘proud’ after 10-0 loss, South Korea’s Lee scores in PSG win

The scoreboard highlights the mismatch between Bayern Munich and Auckland City in Ohio. Photo: Reuters

Thomas Muller scored Bayern’s 10th goal – his 250th for the club. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

Lee Kang-in (left) celebrates with his PSG teammates after scoring their fourth goal. Photo: TNS

Club World Cup: Fifa president’s baby up and running, and football may never be the same

Players walk onto the pitch before the opening match of the Club World Cup between Inter Miami of the US and Al Ahly of Egypt in Miami on Saturday. Photo: Xinhua

Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazario (left) shakes hands with Inter Miami president and co-owner David Beckham as Fifa president Gianni Infantino looks on before the opening match. Photo: Reuters

Al-Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed Elshenawy saves an effort by Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi. Photo: AFP

Club World Cup: Lionel Messi denied by woodwork as Inter Miami draw opener

Lionel Messi passes the Club World Cup trophy before the opening match between Inter Miami and Al-Ahly in Florida. Photo: Xinhua

Lionel Messi takes a corner during the opening match on Saturday. Photo: Xinhua

Sport

Football

Germans crush minnows in Ohio, while PSG smash Atletico in first heavyweight European clash


Germans crush minnows in Ohio, while PSG smash Atletico in first heavyweight European clash.


Fifa Club World Cup: Auckland ‘proud’ after 10-0 loss, South Korea’s Lee scores in PSG win

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Germans crush minnows in Ohio, while PSG smash Atletico in first heavyweight European clash

Germans crush minnows in Ohio, while PSG smash Atletico in first heavyweight European clash