Home side Al Ain won their opening match in the FIFA Club World Cup against New Zealand's Oceania champions Team Wellington ©FIFA

Al Ain, playing in their home stadium, got the FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates off to a gripping start today as they came from three goals down to beat Team Wellington 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out.

The UAE Pro-League winners now advance in this annual competition between continental champions to a meeting with Esperance de Tunis, winners of the Confederation of African Football Champions League, in one of the two quarter-finals on Saturday (December 15).

The winners of that match will meet River Plate, the Copa Libertatores winners, while UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid, seeking a third consecutive title, will play the winners of the other quarter-final between Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football Champions League winners Guadalajara and Kashima Antlers, winners of the Asian Football Confederation Champions League.

But host club Al Ain can allow themselves brief reflection and satisfaction at the way they moved past their New Zealand opponents - winners of the Oceania Football Confederation Champions League - at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium despite being behind from the 11th until the 85th minute.

The New Zealand side opened the scoring with a long-range strike by their Argentinian, Mario Barcia.

Four minutes later, Team Wellington doubled their lead when Andy Bevin played in Aaron Clapham, who coolly slotted into the bottom corner.

Home side Al Ain's keeper Khalid Esa, named man of the match, is mobbed by fellow players after his save earned his team a 4-3 win on penalties over Team Wellington to reach the quarter-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup in the UAE ©FIFA
Home side Al Ain's keeper Khalid Esa, named man of the match, is mobbed by fellow players after his save earned his team a 4-3 win on penalties over Team Wellington to reach the quarter-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup in the UAE ©FIFA 

Al Ain thought they had reduced the deficit when Caio found the net, but the Brazilian's goal was disallowed by a Video Assistant Referee decision as a result of a challenge in the build-up.

The Kiwis then made it three when an unmarked Mario Ilich was able to tap in from close range after Henry Cameron's corner.

Zoran Mamic's side grabbed one back before the break when Tsukasa Shiotani scored in the 45th minute.

Spurred on by the home crowd, the hosts narrowed the winning margin to one four minutes into the second half when a low ball across the box from Caio reached Tongo Doumbia, who found the roof off the net.

The host team drove forward for an equaliser, and were rewarded on 85 minutes when substitute Marcus Berg scored to take the game to extra time.

A penalty shoot-out followed and goalkeeper Khalid Eisa – named as man of the match - saved Team Wellington's fifth penalty, taken by Justin Gulley, to take his team through.