Auckland City's colorful cast of part-timers have no problem with their underdog status ahead of their Club World Cup clash against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, but striker Manel Exposito has warned the Japanese champions to be ready for a fight in the playoff opener on Thursday.
Auckland, whose diverse squad includes a lawyer's clerk, a model and a waiter, will be representing the Oceania region at the global club showpiece for the fourth time after beating Tefana of Tahiti 3-1 on aggregate earlier this year.
Auckland faces Hiroshima for the right to reach the quarterfinals and a possible meeting with African champions Al-Ahly.