Club World Cup: ES Sétif Aim to Emulate Raja Casablanca in Quarter-Final Clash with Auckland City
By BBC Sport | FIFA Club World Cup – Rabat
Algerian champions ES Sétif are set to face New Zealand’s Auckland City FC this Saturday in the quarter-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2014, with hopes of replicating the remarkable run of Raja Casablanca in last year’s tournament.
Following the elimination of host club Moghreb de Tétouan, ES Sétif now carry the weight of African representation as the continent’s sole remaining team in the competition. Expectations are high for the reigning CAF Champions League winners, who are aiming to go deep into the tournament — and possibly match Raja Casablanca’s feat of reaching the final in 2013.
Saturday’s showdown in Rabat is seen as a pivotal moment for the Algerian side, who are making their debut in the Club World Cup. For coach Kheireddine Madoui, the strategy is clear: attack early and decisively.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, the 37-year-old tactician — the youngest coach in the tournament — outlined his approach.
“We must start the match very strong,” said Madoui. “If we can score early, we’ll force Auckland City out of their defensive setup and open up more space to control the game.”
Madoui also stressed the importance of physical and mental sharpness, highlighting that “winning individual duels will be the key to the match.” His team has spent the week fine-tuning their tactical plan, focusing on intensity and seizing every scoring opportunity that arises.
The message within the ES Sétif camp is unified: make history. As reported by Algeria’s APS news agency, the team is determined to follow in the footsteps of Raja Casablanca by pushing deep into the competition — a feat that would be especially significant as it marks Algeria’s first participation in a Club World Cup.
Auckland City, meanwhile, arrive with momentum following their penalty shootout victory over Moghreb de Tétouan in the opening round. Though a semi-professional side, the Oceania champions have gained a reputation for punching above their weight in this tournament, and will be eager to repeat past surprises.
But ES Sétif enter the match with continental pedigree and a steely ambition to prove they belong among the world’s elite clubs. The stakes are high in Rabat, with a place in the semi-finals — and a possible clash with a footballing heavyweight — awaiting the winner.
Kick-off is scheduled for Saturday evening in Morocco.
