Auckland's underdogs shaking up the Club World Cup

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FIFA Coins shoot-out victory over Moroccan champion Moghreb Tetouan on Wednesday (AEDT) has set up a quarter-final against African champion ES Setif of Algeria and has led to a number of its squad cancelling pre-booked holidays.

A semi-final against Argentina’s Copa Libertadores winner San Lorenzo is beckoning should it cause another boilover.

Failing that it could be on course to face Western Sydney Wanderers in the play off for fifth place next Thursday (AEDT).

With the Wanderers squad embroiled in a bitter prize money dispute this week, Auckland’s part-timers have been playing for what club spokesman Gordon Glen Watson described as “petrol money” and the chance to catch the eye on a stage far greater than its domestic nine-team ASB Premiership.

Governing body New Zealand Football pockets a sizeable share of the $1.2 million spoils the club has harvested, with players picking up a fraction of the booty.

The pay-day could jump to $2.5 million should Auckland shock ES Setif while a figure of $1.9 million is on the table were it to lose to the African champion but then upset Western Sydney or Cruz Azul.

Auckland’s players are not complaining though - content at exposure to a global audience and, for some, the chance to land a professional contract elsewhere.

"For us, it's not so much about the money it's about being seen and maybe being spotted," said defender John Irving, an ex-Everton junior.

He wasn't shocked at the 4-3 shoot-out win over Moghreb Tetouan in Rabat which has caused great embarrassment in the country’s capital.

"We had a game plan and it went perfectly to earn us a 0-0 draw and then the shootout,” said the 26 year-old.

"They were devastated. I don't think they could believe it. It's begun to sink in for us now.

"I was booked to go back to Liverpool to see my girlfriend and my family this week – but that's all on hold now. Not that I am complaining."

Despite being dismissed by many in its own homeland as a 'park team', City boasts a mini-armada of ex-professionals like Spanish defender Angel Berlanga, Argentine striker Emiliano Tade, Croatian midfielder Mario Bilen and New Zealand's most capped player Ivan Vicelich.

Despite existing for only a decade, the Oceania champion is competing in its sixth Club World Cup and repeating the dream of 2009, when it beat host Al Ahli in Abu Dhabi and African champion TP Mazembe Englebert to claim fifth place, remains alive.

"If we do our job we will be tough for any opposition and I think we can make another impression at the weekend," added Irving who had a trial with Central Coast Mariners in May.

"Our coach Ramon Tribulietx has got us well organised. Some of the boys were a bit overwhelmed the other night but now we’re just looking at this next match now.

"We’d love to raise the profile of the game back in New Zealand,"

Auckland has played A-League opposition three times – losing 3-2 to Sydney FC in the OFC Champions League while also beating Central Coast 3-1 and Wellington Phoenix 1-0 in pre-season matches.

"FIFA 15 PS3 Coins sure we would give the Wanderers a match, if we did meet," claimed Irving. "But first we’ll see how we go against ES Setif."