Yokohama : Plucky Auckland City will go into Thursday's opening game of the Club World Cup against Japan's Kashima Antlers determined to avoid a spanking.
Manager Ramon Tribulietx has studied hours of videotape in an attempt to hatch a plan to prevent Japan striker Mu Kanazaki from hurting his team of part-timers in Yokohama.
"They have Kanazaki in attack, who doesn't stop running and can be a pain in the ass to any team in the world," the Spaniard told a news conference Wednesday.
"We have watched their games and know they are a dangerous side. We know how they like to play.
"They're very direct, in many ways similar to the style of teams we face in New Zealand," he added. "We know it's going to be tough but we don't fear them. If we can overcome the nerves we know we have a chance."
Thursday's match will be the 100th of FIFA's revamped Club World Cup and the Antlers will start as favourites after capturing their eighth J-League championship last weekend.
However, Auckland's collection of truck drivers, builders and interior decorators famously defied the odds to finish third two years ago.
Spanish giants Real Madrid, winners in 2014, are tipped to win the competition, which features football's six continental champions plus the Japanese champions.
Antlers coach Masatada Ishii insisted, with some bravado, that his objective was to win the Club World Cup.
"We have a maximum of four games and the top priority will be to finish the year with four wins," he declared. "It's our first appearance in the tournament so we need to refocus and go again."
Cristiano Ronaldo and Real will have other thoughts, however, and the European champions are expected to face Colombia's Atletico Nacional in the final on December 18, if as expected both come through their semi-finals.
Atletico have become famous the world over for the most tragic of reasons after Copa Sudamericana final opponents Chapecoense were all but wiped out in a plane crash that has plunged football into mourning.
But before the big guns arrive, Kashima and Auckland take centre stage.
"(Auckland) are a decent attacking side and can hurt you down the flanks," said Ishii.
"They're also very compact but if we can show everything that we've been improving on over the past year and a half, it should be enough for the win."
