The dentist who made history with Auckland City

Auckland City lost 10-0 to Bayern Munich on June 15 but their journey still received admiration from the rest of world football.

Dentist Paul Posa returns to manage Auckland City after 15 years away from the club's coaching position.

Auckland City is a semi-professional football team, most of whose players consider football as a sideline. Members of this club are said to have taken annual leave and paid for their own travel to the US to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Paul Posa, their head coach, is no exception. The 54-year-old is a well-known dentist in Auckland, New Zealand. He has worked at Ranfurly Dental Care since 1991, where he not only provides dental treatment but is also a member of many social activities, influencing the community.

However, as well as his medical examinations and surgeries, Dr Posa has a passion for football. He has been an important part of Auckland City's history, helping the team win multiple OFC Champions League titles.

Posa left Auckland City in 2010 to focus on his dental career, but the club's qualification for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup prompted him to return. It's an unusual occurrence in top-flight football, but normal for a semi-professional club like Auckland City.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead my team on the world stage,” Posa told FIFA. “Although I am a dentist, I have always followed the team and felt a responsibility to be part of this journey.”

Posa’s return to the coaching chair has not been smooth. A month before the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup kicked off, family issues prevented him from directly coaching Auckland City in the tournament’s preparation. However, Coach Ponsa is still expected to lead the team in important matches.

“I am a father, a dentist, and now a coach. It is a sacrifice, but also an honor,” said Posa, who stressed that the team is not under pressure to achieve results at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, and that their goal is to surprise and enjoy the moment.

Auckland City may have lost 10-0 to Bayern, but they still hope to cause a surprise and leave memorable moments in the next two matches.

Source: https://znews.vn/vi-nha-si-lam-nen-lich-su-voi-auckland-city-post1561190.html