Goal : J-League champions Kashiwa Reysol got their Club World Cup campaign off to a flying start with a 2-0 win over amateur side Auckland City on Thursday at Toyota Stadium.
The Oceania League champions were keenly aware of the challenge they faced in tempering Reysol’s explosive attack, and responded to the host representative’s 4-4-1-1 formation with what could practically be described as a six-man back line.
By the 22nd minute, Reysol had already earned four corner kicks but neither side truly asserted control. Finally in the 37th minute, Reysol forward Junya Tanaka muscled his way around Auckland defender Alex Feneridis on the left side before releasing a tight-angled shot that goalkeeper Jacob Spoonley had little chance of stopping.