Bayern Munich Faces Auckland City's Semi-Pro Hobbyists in Club World Cup Opener

  

see also: (In United Kingdom) Burgess Joins Swansea City: Centre-Back's Blues Chapter Closed
 

Bayern Munich’s first opponent at the Club World Cup will be the semi-professional New Zealand side Auckland City — whose players don’t even earn a salary.

The team didn’t arrive in full for the tournament in the U.S., as some players declined to travel due to commitments at their regular jobs. 

The squad includes a manager, a teacher, a hairdresser, a real estate agent, and others from various professions. For most Auckland City players, football is just a hobby and a side gig

The match scheduled for, 12 p.m. ET / 16:00 UTC / 6 p.m. CEST

At TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio match that seems like a David vs. Goliath showdown. Auckland City, the most successful team in Oceania with 11 OFC Champions League titles, consists of semi-professional players who balance football with their regular jobs. 

Some notable players include Myer Bevan, a 28-year-old forward who has scored eight goals this season, and Angus Kilkolly, who expressed excitement about facing Bayern Munich, calling it a "dream" opportunity.