Allan Jones went on a charm offensive Thursday as FIFA Club World Cup debutants Auckland City were unveiled to a curious Japanese media.
Auckland’s 66-year-old caretaker coach used humour to put his side’s tournament opener against Cairo giants Al Ahly into context at the Kiwitea St club’s official arrival media conference in Nagoya.
A Japanese television journalist asked the Englishman whether Auckland City had truly believed it was possible to play at the Club World Cup, how significant their qualification was for New Zealand Soccer and how many people turned up for their send-off at Auckland International Airport.
Jones waited for an interpreter to translate the long-winded line of questioning before giving a quick-fire response.
“One, yes. Two, very greatly and three, no one!”