Latest news with #ChristianGray
South China Morning Post
an hour ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Club World Cup's only Chinese player tells how Auckland salvaged pride
Zhou Tong, the only Chinese player at the Club World Cup, saw his Auckland City side end their tournament on an upbeat note on Tuesday as they held Argentine giants Boca Juniors to a surprise draw. The minnows from New Zealand had been trounced in their previous games in the United States. They were on the wrong end of an embarrassing mismatch when the event got under way last week, receiving a 10-0 drubbing by Bayern Munich. They then suffered a 6-0 reverse to Benfica. Veteran winger Zhou said that, even as amateur players, such scorelines amounted to 'a disgrace', and had spurred City on to salvage some pride. And they did just that in Nashville as a 1-1 draw with Boca gave Auckland something to savour in their final group game, which Zhou sat out after being substituted under concussion protocols during the Benfica clash. Christian Gray celebrates Auckland's equaliser against Boca on Tuesday. via AFP 'Although challenging the mighty is an honour, a 10-0 scoreline is a disgrace for any footballer,' the 35-year-old told mainland Chinese media before the match. 'Privately, we discussed how we could do better, how to give our all against these giants.' His side went 1-0 down to Boca when goalkeeper Nathan Garrow palmed a first-half Lautaro Di Lollo header into his own net. But Christian Gray replied with a header of his own in the second period to claim Auckland a point that had looked unlikely after Bayern had exposed their shortcomings.
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Sport
- New Indian Express
New Zealanders hail Auckland City's amateurs as 'heroic' after CWC draw with Boca Juniors
WELLINGTON: It might not have been the shot heard around the world but it was a goal that reverbrated 13,000 kilometers (8,000 miles) away when Auckland City FC scored Tuesday to draw 1-1 with Boca Juniors at the FIFA Club World Cup. Christian Gray, a trainee teacher at Mt. Roskill Intermediate School in Auckland, rose to meet the corner of Jerson Lagos, a barber, and headed in the equalizer as the mostly-amateur team from New Zealand held Diego Maradona's fasmous old Argentine club to a draw. Auckland lost 10-0 to Bayern Munich and 6-0 to Benfica in its first two matches, leading to questions over FIFA's decision to allow a team of part-timers from Oceania, it's smallest confederation, to compete with the professional superstars of world soccer. Even Auckland City's local paper, the New Zealand Herald, joined the critics, suggesting the team had "damaged Auckland City FC's proud 20-year legacy" in FIFA events. "It's been a trying few weeks," the Herald reported after two defeats. "In the past, Auckland City have been renowned for punching above their weight on the global stage, while usually having a couple of outstanding individuals. That hasn't quite been the case here." But Auckland City left its best to last, producing an outstanding performance to the satisfaction of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who was among the crowd at the match in Nashville. "It's been a tough trip, you know, we've had some tough results but just happy for the team," Gray said. "I think we deserve it. We got a little bit of respect back I hope.
The Independent
4 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
New Zealand hails Auckland City heroes after famous draw with Boca Juniors
Auckland City FC, a largely amateur team from New Zealand, secured a surprising 1-1 draw against Argentina's Boca Juniors at the FIFA Club World Cup. Christian Gray, a trainee teacher, scored the equalizer for Auckland City FC, a goal that resonated widely given the team's part-time status. This draw followed two significant defeats for Auckland City FC, 10-0 to Bayern Munich and 6-0 to Benfica, which had led to questions about their participation. New Zealand media, initially critical of the team's performance, widely praised the draw as "stunning," "remarkable," and "heroic" against professional opposition. The result allowed Auckland City FC to conclude their tournament on a high note, with future FIFA Club World Cups set to feature professional teams from Oceania.
ABC News
4 hours ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Auckland City FC draws with Boca Juniors as amateur side produces Club World Cup boilover
It might not have been the shot heard around the world but it was a goal that reverberated 13,000 kilometres away when Auckland City FC scored to draw 1-1 with Boca Juniors at the FIFA Club World Cup. Christian Gray, a trainee PE teacher at Mt Roskill Intermediate School in Auckland, rose to meet the corner of Jerson Lagos, a barber, and headed in the equaliser as the mostly-amateur team from New Zealand held Diego Maradona's famous old Argentine club to a draw. Auckland lost 10-0 to Bayern Munich and 6-0 to Benfica in its first two matches, leading to questions over FIFA's decision to allow a team of part-timers from Oceania, it's smallest confederation, to compete with the professional superstars of world football. Even Auckland City's local paper, the New Zealand Herald, joined the critics, suggesting the team had "damaged Auckland City FC's proud 20-year legacy" in FIFA events. "It's been a trying few weeks," the Herald reported after two defeats. "In the past, Auckland City have been renowned for punching above their weight on the global stage, while usually having a couple of outstanding individuals. That hasn't quite been the case here." But Auckland City left its best to last, producing an outstanding performance to the satisfaction of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who was among the crowd at the match in Nashville. "It's been a tough trip, you know, we've had some tough results, but just happy for the team," Gray said. "I think we deserve it. We got a little bit of respect back, I hope. "We rely on volunteers, we don't have a lot of money, so I'm just happy that they're happy." Radio New Zealand described the draw with Boca Juniors as "stunning." "Thanks to Gray's heroics and some incredibly committed defence, Auckland City managed to pull off a result that will reverberate strongly around the football world," RNZ said. The New Zealand Herald branded it "remarkable" and "famous." "The squad of real estate agents, teachers, sales reps, tradesmen, and students would have hoped they could make a mark on the world stage while knowing it was probably impossible," the newspaper wrote. "But they have done it — against massive odds. "Anyone around the football world coming across this result will be rubbing their eyes in disbelief. But it's true. It's all true." AP
NZ Herald
5 hours ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Auckland City FC: How son of New Zealand sporting legends stunned Boca Juniors at Fifa Club World Cup
On Wednesday morning, Auckland City FC defender Christian Gray carved his name in New Zealand football history. At the same time, he stepped out of a large shadow. It probably wasn't always easy growing up for Gray, the son of not one but two famous Kiwi sporting identities, as his
