Paul Posa Returns for Benfica Match

After a punishing 10-0 loss to Bayern Munich, the New Zealand side now face Portuguese powerhouse SL Benfica at Orlando’s Inter&Co Stadium on June 20, in what could be a defining moment in Group C.

Striker Myer Bevan, speaking after training in Chattanooga struck a tone of quiet determination: “We’ve just got to move past that now and focus on the two games ahead.” The mood in camp is focused, not defeated. There’s an understanding that while the odds are steep, the opportunity to compete on this stage is one they won’t take for granted.

Benfica, meanwhile, arrive in Orlando after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Boca Juniors. Their attacking quality is undeniable, Angel Di Maria, Nicolas Otamendi, and Vangelis Pavlidis bring Champions League pedigree. 

Bevan singled out Benfica’s stars with admiration: “Di Maria, obviously… and Otamendi—players like this have experienced the highest level for a very long time.” But he also hinted at a tactical opening: “Maybe there’s more space behind them… hopefully we can go at them as well as them coming at us.”

Also bolstering the club’s ranks is the return to the dugout of head coach Paul Posa (pictured below, middle) who is back after a minor surgical procedure prevented him from travelling with the team on 2 June.

The draw between Benfica and Boca means goal difference could be decisive, and the Navy Blues will be hoping they may find more room to operate if Benfica push forward aggressively.

This isn’t just about survival, it’s about showing they belong. Auckland City know they’re underdogs, but they’ve been here before. And in Orlando, under the Florida sun, they’ll look to write a new chapter, one built on resilience, not reputation.

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Ends

MATCH DETAILS
FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP – Group C 
SL Benfica vs Auckland City FC
Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, FL
Friday, 20 June 2025, 12:00PM (Local Time) – Sat, 21 June 2025, 4:00 AM (NZT)

AC SQUAD: 1. Conor TRACEY (GK) 2. Mario ILICH (C) 3. Adam MITCHELL 4. Christian GRAY 5. Nikko BOXALL, 6. Jackson MANUEL 7. Myer BEVAN 8. Gerard GARRIGA 9. Angus KILKOLLY 10. Dylan MANICKUM 11. Ryan DE VRIES 12. Regont MURATI 13. Nathan LOBO 14. Jordan VALE, 15. Jeremy FOO, 16. Joe LEE 17. Jerson LAGOS 18. Sebastian CIGANDA (GK) 19. Dylan CONNOLLY, 20. Matt ELLIS, 21. Adam KANUI BELL 22. Tong ZHOU 23. Alfie ROGERS, 24. Nathan GARROW (GK) 25. Michael DEN HEIJER, 26. David YOO, 27. Haris ZEB

HEAD COACH: Paul POSA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
ASSISTANT COACH: Adria CASALS
ASSISTANT COACH: Daewook KIM
GOALKEEPER COACH: Jonas HOFFMANN
TECHNICAL ANALYST: Malte THESENVITZ
PHYSIO: Matt PAYNE
PHYSIO: Zara ELLIS
PHYSIO: Natalia KOSINSKA
TEAM DOCTOR: Craig PANTHER
TEAM MANAGER: Keith COTON