In the opening match of the inter-continental club competition, the host side Hiroshima edged past the Oceania champions with a stunning goal by Aoyama to challenge Al-Ahly in the next round.

SANFRECCE HIROSHIMA (JPN) 1-0 AUCKLAND CITY FC (NZL) [Dec 6]

In the first half, the newly-crowned Japanese champions managed to produce some half chances but struggled to capitalise against Auckland’s solid defence led by captain Ivan Vicelich. On 20 minutes, Yojiro Takahagi’s corner directly hit the near post of Auckland’s goal and Koji Morisaki collected the rebound but his shot from the edge of the area was saved by Tamati Williams. Eight minutes later, Hiroshima again came close to an opening goal. Another corner from Takahagi was nodded down by Ryota Moriwaki, but their ace striker Hisato Sato’s first-time effort just flew straight into the arms of Williams.

While the New Zealand side seemed content with the goalless first half, the host side stepped up the pace after the interval as the home supporters became more vociferous, and duly broke the deadlock with a superb goal. Hiroshima’s flowing move capped by successive shots from Morisaki and Satoru Yamagishi in the middle of the second half was not enough to beat the goalkeeper. Seconds later, however, Toshihiro Aoyama found the left-top corner of the net with a dipping right-foot shot from distance, leaving Williams helpless. Then Auckland responded and had a chance to make it even deep in extra time, but Adam Dickinson’s effort went over the crossbar.