Manchester United are the FIFA Club World Champions
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Manchester United have announced on the club's official website, the 23-man squad that will fly to Japan to participate in this year's FIFA Club World Cup.
Manchester United will miss one round of Premier League action before Christmas because they will be taking part in this year's FIFA Club World Cup after winning the UEFA Champions League at the end of last season.
The Red Devils play Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday before flying out to Japan the next day, and Sir Alex Ferguson has made a clear statement of intent by naming a full-strength squad.
The tournament starts on December 11, but United will not feature until the 18th, as they have received a bye straight to the semi-finals where they will do battle against one of the following teams: Adelaide United [Australia]; Waitakere United [New Zealand]; or Gamba Osaka [Japan].
Egyptian kings Al-Ahly contest Mexican side Pachuca in the other half of the competition and the winner will then play LDU Quito of Ecuador in the other semi-final.
The final will be staged three days after the semis, on the 21st, at the Yokohama Stadium, and then the reigning double champions will return on Boxing Day to take on Stoke City.
Travelling Squad:
Goalkeepers: Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Foster.
Defenders: Neville, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, O'Shea, Evans, Rafael.
Midfielders: Ronaldo, Anderson, Giggs, Park, Carrick, Nani, Scholes, Fletcher, Gibson.
Strikers: Berbatov, Rooney, Tevez, Welbeck.
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must win cup after losing out on the super cup final -
Just come back in good condition and injury free can already... The Cup not really that important...
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I hope Adelaide United [Australia]; Waitakere United [New Zealand]; or Gamba Osaka [Japan] will give us some asian football pride.
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i thk it's important to win the bloody cup... or else no point flying the entire first team all the way to japan..
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mickey mouse cup imo....jus hope that no injuries take place there
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waste of time.
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big money hor and for the marketing.. so very important ar
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is it a lower tier kinda cup?
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No injuries can laio... hope they win...
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Originally posted by mlmersrlosers:
is it a lower tier kinda cup?
No, actually its the biggest cup in the world of club football I guess... Only the Champions of the different continents are invited to take part in this once a year tournament to determined the Champion of Champions... Like a World Cup but in this case for club football...
Al Ahly - African Champions from Egypt.
Gamba Osaka - Newly crowned Asian champions
Liga Deportiva Universitaria Quito - 2008 Copa Libertadores Winner.
(South American Champions)
CONCACAF Champions (Mexico)
Champions League Winner - (European Champions)
Adelaide United - Australia's A-League
Lost to Gamba Osaka in the 2008 AFC Champions League final.
As the Champions League was won by a Japanese club, it meant that Adelaide have qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup as the highest-placed non-Japanese team in Asian club competition.
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Aboutrika and Ronaldo top poll
The countdown has begun ahead of Thursday’s first match at the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2008 when Adelaide United meet Waitakere United. Excitement is building with every passing minute in host cities Tokyo, Toyota and Yokohama, but FIFA.com users say they are looking forward to the skill and artistry of two players in particular, Mohamed Aboutrika from Egyptian outfit Al Ahly, and Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
"Which star are you most looking forward to seeing at the FIFA Club World Cup?" was the question in our latest user poll, and the answer was clear-cut to say the least. No fewer than 47.63 per cent of you are captivated at the prospect of Aboutrika working his magic at the prestigious match-up of the continental champions, where he is set to compete for an impressive third time. The Egyptian playmaker thus consigned the freshly-crowned European Footballer of the Year to second place: Portugal wizard Cristiano Ronaldo garnered 38.53 per cent of the votes cast.
The rest of the field came in some way off the leading pair. Pachuca marksman Christian Gimenez scored 6.1 per cent, with 3.8 per cent for Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito shot-stopper Jose Cevallos. They were followed by Gamba Osaka’s Brazilian star Lucas (1.56 per cent), Travis Dodd of Adelaide United (1.4 per cent) and Waitakere United’s Danny Hay (0.98 per cent).
Our online survey produced two clear winners, but it goes without saying that the decisions which matter are taken out on the field of play. The earliest point at which Aboutrika and Ronaldo could go head-to-head is the final of the FIFA Club World Cup 2008 – and that would certainly be a prospect to make the mouth water. -
Ahly make final promise
Mohamed Aboutrika thrilled audiences at the 2006 editionAl Ahly will take a different approach into their third FIFA Club World Cup, and confidence is high that it will pay dividends. In a press conference during a FIFA media day in Cairo yesterday, before the African Club of the Century departed for Japan, the players promised their passionate fans they would make it to the final, and do their utmost to seize the prestigious trophy.
"These are the glory years of Al Ahly, whose name is now carved within the world's best teams," said chairman Hassan Hamdi, whose club recently won a record sixth CAF Champions League crown. "The staff have done a brilliant job. We are now eager for more. The club officials and fans are confident the team can show more progress this time."
Coach Manuel Jose revealed the team have high ambitious. "This year there is huge responsibility because everyone expects us to go further than the third place we achieved in 2006, We dream of winning the cup, and we are working on making the dream a reality."
The hopes of the Cairo giants, at least according to many, rest at the mercurial feet of Mohamed Aboutrika, who thrilled audiences at the 2006 edition of the FIFA Club World Cup. However, the 30-year-old insisted his side's chances hinge of the players' collective performances. "Football is a team sport, no-one can play alone," he said.
"I'm not the star of the team - the team is the star, that's what Mr. Jose tells us. I don't care about individual achievements because only team achievements remain in the memory of the fans, and I'm part of the team."
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just one thing, do you believe that if MU doesn't do well, SAF will rest their key players for the games back in EPL??
I do think the MU is coming inside this competition as the favourite.. anyone got the TV schedule? Thanks a million.
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Giggs: Nothing is harder to win
Ryan Giggs is the most decorated footballer in British history. Since turning professional 18 years ago, the Welsh midfielder has won ten Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups and two UEFA Champions League trophies - an honours list that puts most English top-flight clubs in the shade, let alone their players.
But out of all of his medals, he counts the 1999 success in the Intercontinental Cup success as being the most difficult to win. Giggs was man of the match and set up Roy Keane for the only goal of the game when Manchester United defeated Palmeiras in Tokyo on 30 November.
With the Red Devils returning to Japan for their debut appearance in the FIFA Club World Cup next week, Giggs hopes that he will be feeling on top of the world once again, but acknowledges that with potentially two continental champions to defeat en route to the trophy, it will be even harder.
"The Intercontinental Cup has been the toughest to win," he told FIFA.com. "First of all, we had to qualify for the Champions League, which is tough, then you've got to win it, which is even more difficult - and then beat the champions of South America, who had achieved everything we'd achieved.
"I've got good memories of the game. In parts Palmeiras were the better team, but we managed to get the goal and it was a great feeling, because the club had never won it. Before the game, the manager reminded us of that - and so we were all focused on winning it - just as we are today.
"It's a bigger competition now. In the past it was just Europe against South America, but now every continent is involved. It would be very special to be crowned champions of the world. Obviously, there's two games to play this time, so it's going to be even tougher, but would be great if we did."
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We're gonna face Gamba Osaka.
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Adelaide United 0 - 1 Gamba Osaka
Yasuhito Endo scored the lone goal as Asian champions Gamba Osaka continued their dominance of Adelaide United in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup.
The Japan international struck midway through the first half at the Toyota Stadium to give Gamba their third win against the Australian side in just over a month, setting up a semi-final clash against Manchester United in Yokohama on Thursday.
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VS
Gamba Osaka VS Manchester United
(Asian Champions) Vs (European Champions)
FIFA Club World Cup 2008 - Japan
Thursday, 18 December 2008
Channel 24: - 6:30 pm - "Live"Finals on 21 December 2008 - 6:30 pm. -
Manchester United: it's a red planet
Manchester United head to Tokyo this week to play in the Club World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo mania is building among locals. He is especially popular in Japan for his set-pieces – most of the Western players feted by the Japanese, such as David Beckham, Ronaldinho and Roberto Carlos, are dead-ball specialists. The Japanese football writer Shintaro Kano says: “I wouldn’t say Ronaldo fever is as hot as it was with Beckham around 2002 but Ronaldo is as popular as Ronaldinho and Kaka and the hottest footballer now.”
MAN UTD’S POSSIBLE OPPONENTS
Gamba Osaka The Asia Champions League winners meet Sir Alex Ferguson’s European champions in Thursday’s semi-final. Gamba are one of Japan’s most entertaining sides and boast national team midfielder Yasuhito Endo, celebrated as the J-League’s best homegrown player.
Pachuca The Mexicans sprang a major surprise in coming from 2-0 down to beat African champions Al Ahly in extra time in yesterday’s quarter-final. Their star is midfielder Christian Gimenez, an Argentine free-kick specialist
Liga de Quito ‘Los Albos’ are the first Ecuadorean club to win the Copa Libertadores, defeating Fluminense in the final. A strong team spirit and the inspired management of Edgardo Bauza is their key. Among their forwards is Agustin Delgado, the former Southampton striker, who faced United in the 2000 tournament when playing for Necaxa
FIXTURES
Wednesday Tokyo, SF: Pachuca v Liga de Quito
Thursday Yokohama, SF: Man Utd v Gamba Osaka
Sunday 21 Dec Yokohama, 3rd/4th place match
Sunday 21 Dec Yokohama, finalPAST WINNERS
2007 AC Milan (Italy)
2006 SC Internacional (Brazil)
2005 Sao Paulo (Brazil)
2000 Corinthians (Brazil) -
Cheese pie... working night on the 18th -.-
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Originally posted by sand king:
Cheese pie... working night on the 18th -.-
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Capello warning for United
Sir Alex Ferguson’s men have arrived in Japan determined to put up a bold show and John O’Shea has insisted fatigue will not be an issue, but Capello does not subscribe to this opinion.
"I went two times and it is not easy,” said Capello. “I went to Japan, you have to deal with jet-lag and play two games and the time you get to recover from the games will be short. The players will be tired."
Capello feels fatigue is the reason behind the top four dropping so many points at the head of The Premier League.
"I think at this moment a lot of the big four are drawing matches because they are tired up there (in their heads),” he added.
"I think it is more competitive. Teams like Aston Villa are very competitive."
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Berba to miss semi
The Reds will be without Dimitar Berbatov for the Club World Cup semi-final against Gamba Osaka, but Wayne Rooney should be fit to play.
Berbatov has been laid up in bed since Tuesday morning with a virus, while Rooney picked up a knock in training later the same day.
Sir Alex Ferguson remains hopeful Rooney will make it, but Berbatov is definitely out.
"Dimitar won't play," confirmed the boss at his pre-match press conference. "He's been in bed virtually since we arrived with a virus. We're not sure where it's come from, he may have picked it up on the plane.
"Wayne was injured in training on Tuesday, but I'm hopeful he'll be okay."
The United manager also revealed that he would be turning to some of his most experienced campaigners for the Reds' last four clash on Thursday evening.
"Neville, Giggs and Scholes will all play," he said. "It's a big game situation so their experience will be very important.
"It's a competition we want to win and I'll be playing a strong team." -
Originally posted by sand king:
Cheese pie... working night on the 18th -.-
me too, but heng, until 3pm only
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Originally posted by Dead_Man_Inc:
me too, but heng, until 3pm only
SIAN! IM ALWAYS WORKING ON UNITED GAME DAYS!
