Sacrifices and Spirit: Auckland City's Journey in Club World Cup

Adam Mitchell, the defender for Auckland City, faces financial difficulties as he joins the Club World Cup, temporarily leaving his real estate job. The tournament, offering significant prize money for champions, has his semi-professional team playing primarily for pride and a not-yet-finalized appearance fee.

Reflecting on their 10-0 loss to Bayern Munich, Mitchell highlighted the dedication and sacrifices made by players, many of whom are nearing the end of their allowed annual leave. Despite financial concerns and backlash over their tournament inclusion, Mitchell believes in the team's right to compete on this global stage.

Mitchell's commitment doesn't go unnoticed at home, where he balances a demanding work schedule with training. Despite the adverse scoreline, he draws pride from the opportunity to compete against top international talents, hoping the exposure benefits him professionally in the future.

(With inputs from agencies.)