Auckland City has been beaten 2-0 by Japanese champions Kashiwa Reysol in the opening match of the Fifa Club World Cup in Japan.
The home side scored both goals late in the first half.
The Auckland team provided the shock of the Club World Cup of 2009, unexpectedly winning two games. But there was to be no fairytale this time.
Reysol now face Mexico's Monterrey at the weekend for the right to play South American champions Santos of Brazil in the semi-finals.
European champions Barcelona also join the seven-team competition at the semi-final stage next week.
