Goal-line tech used in Club World Cup opener

Sanfrecce Hiroshima beat part-timers Auckland City 1-0 at the Club World Cup on Thursday in a landmark match at which goal-line technology was available to the referee for the first time ever. FIFA made football history by trialling the first of two goal-line systems to be used at the showpiece event, however the match in Yokohama passed without GoalRef’s magnetic field technology being required to determine a close call. Instead, a dramatic strike from Hiroshima’s Toshihiro Aoyama left the human eye in no doubt about whether a goal had been scored, with the ball hitting the back of the net in style. The Japanese champions dominated possession in the first half, but several good saves from Auckland goalkeeper Tamati Williams - including one from close range - meant the two sides went into the break locked at 0-0. Hiroshima will play Al Ahly in Toyota where FIFA are trialling the second goal-line system.