Romarinho strike sends Al Jazira through
Al Jazira edged to a battling 1-0 win over Auckland City in the first round of the Club World Cup on Thursday, moving a step closer to a glamorous meeting with Real Madrid.
Romarinho drilled Al Jazira in front after 38 minutes, starting the move himself on the left wing and then finding the bottom-right corner from 20 yards, and the goal proved to be the winner.
The New Zealand side should have equalised after 74 minutes when Cameron Howieson's low left-wing cross found Ryan de Vries six yards out, but he fired a tame effort straight at goalkeeper Ali Khasif.
Al Jazira will now take on Asian Champions League winners Urawa Reds on Sunday for the right to face holder Madrid in the semi-finals.