Tough CWC draw for Auckland

Auckland's amateurs will open the competition against the still-undecided J-League champion on December 8 and following Thursday's draw, the winner faces Monterrey three days later.

And Tribulietx revealed his team had been hoping to avoid the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) champions after it's 3-0 mauling by Mexico's Atlante in 2009.

Its other possible opponent had been Asian champions Al Sadd or Africa's Esperance, who will play the other second-round match on December 11.

"CF Monterrey is a fantastic team but we want to focus on the first game. Any of the teams would have been difficult but Monterrey is the best of that trio," Tribulietx told the club website, www.aucklandcityfc.com.

"Two years ago we played Atlante and they were top-class."

Auckland is still waiting to find out its first opponent in the world club championship as the J-League goes down to the wire with Kashiwa Reysol, Gamba Osaka and Nagoya Grampus all in the running.

But Barcelona-born Tribulietx said he would focus on Auckland's remaining domestic and Oceania league games before sizing up the Club World Cup and naming his squad next Thursday.

"We have domestic and Oceania matches to play yet so our focus remains on Hekari United and Manawatu - and then we will worry about the J-League champions," he said.

"There will be some tough decisions to make before we leave and one of those will be naming the squad," the coach added.

"We've won five games since the season started and the competition for places has been intense. But I think we will be in a strong position to name our group by the end of next week."

Victory over the J-League winner and a shock win over Monterrey would put Auckland through to a semi-final against Brazil's South American champion, Santos, who has a bye.

But Tribulietx said his hometown club, European title-holder Barcelona, was a hot favourite to defend the intercontinental club crown.

"Barcelona must be favourites to retain the trophy - Xavi, Iniesta and Lionel Messi are three of the best players on Earth. They are phenomenal," Tribulietx said.