2012 FIFA Club World Cup: News & Analysis [R]

Nico Limmat · Apr 9, 2012

The CAF first round is nearly complete and the main casualty is Raja Casablanca who went out against Berekum Chelsea despite winning the return leag 3:0. TP Mazembe advanced easily at home, winning 6:0.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhwlmtUC-tw"]08.04.2012::CAF LDC::16E RETOUR::TP MAZEMBE VS POWER DYNAMOS::6-0 - YouTube[/ame]

jared9999 · Apr 10, 2012

El CHarro_NEgro.... said: ↑

By probability alone, another CONCACAF league is going to grab the trophy sooner or later. Starting next tournament, Mexicans teams are more likely to drop at the group stages thanks to the new format. One freaky result may suffice in some instances.
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nah man.....nobody comes close to the mexican teams. Sure Concacrap is changing the format to help the non mexican teams out, I guess they will soon be playing the CCL entirely in the USA again. lame

Desmond61 · Apr 10, 2012

Starting with this year's O-League the two New Zealand clubs have been separated in the group stage.

Nico Limmat · Apr 13, 2012

Desmond61 said: ↑

Starting with this year's O-League the two New Zealand clubs have been separated in the group stage.
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That said, the all-Kiwi final is yet to be confirmed.

Crazy finish in the Copa Libertadores Group 2 yesterday night. Flamengo crashed out of the competition in dramatic fashion as Emelec beat Olimpia in the dying seconds after conceding the equalizer in stoppage time. A draw would have put Flamengo through.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9p5K0C4svk"]Olimpia 2 - Emelec 3. Copa Libertadores 2012. - YouTube[/ame]

BocaFan · Apr 13, 2012

SwissGCZ said: ↑

Well, it's not looking good. Mexico set a new world record of seven consecutive titles today and looking at the scorelines that record may extend well beyond ten.
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Although Toronto were winning by 2 goals with just over 45 minutes remaining in the second-leg so it wasn't a total blowout...

It's called FOOTBALL · Apr 13, 2012

BocaFan said: ↑

Although Toronto were winning by 2 goals with just over 45 minutes remaining in the second-leg so it wasn't a total blowout...
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They were never winning by 2. SL tied it each time Tor went up by 1. SL ended up winning by 4, so yes, it was a blowout.

Genevieve84 · Apr 13, 2012

Toronto FC, if I'm not mistaken, are actually representing Canada.

Nico Limmat · Apr 15, 2012

And the final is set in the OFC...

AS Tefana (Tahiti) - Auckland City FC (New Zealand)

Waitakere United is hereby eliminated. All this after Waitakere beat Tefana 10:0 on the opening group stage match!

EvanJ · Apr 15, 2012

SwissGCZ said: ↑

That said, the all-Kiwi final is yet to be confirmed.
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Ba (Fiji) 0-5 Tefana (Tahiti)

Tefana (+3) won Group A with a much worse goal differential than Waitakere United (+15) so New Zealand has only one finalist. Tefana will play Auckland City on April 29 and May 13.

BocaFan · Apr 16, 2012

It's called FOOTBALL said: ↑

They were never winning by 2. SL tied it each time Tor went up by 1. SL ended up winning by 4, so yes, it was a blowout.
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But Toronto had more away goals when they were up 3-2 on aggregate, so they were essentially winning by 2 (ie. scoring 1 more goal wouldn't have been enough for Santos).

So I disagree that it was a blowout since the result was still in doubt even after 80% of the contest had been played.

morange92 · Apr 16, 2012

It's called FOOTBALL said: ↑

They were never winning by 2. SL tied it each time Tor went up by 1. SL ended up winning by 4, so yes, it was a blowout.
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i think he was referring to the aggregate, not the game itself

El CHarro_NEgro.... · Apr 16, 2012

7-3 and 6-2 are blowouts here, in China and in CONCACAF...

morange92 · Apr 16, 2012

El CHarro_NEgro.... said: ↑

7-3 and 6-2 are blowouts here, in China and in CONCACAF...
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true story

Nico Limmat · Apr 17, 2012

UCL Semifinal, First Leg:
Bayern Munich (Germany) - Real Madrid (Spain) 2:1

Bayern with the winner in the last minute of regulation. Overall deserved I would say, but they couldn't prevent Real from getting an away goal so all is left to play for at the Bernabeu.

There was also another full day of action in the ACL. Guangzhou Evergrande is starting to look like a team that could carry the flag for the CSL this year. In a meeting between the champions of China and Japan they sent Kashiwa home with a 3:1 defeat:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9X8tHF4s8k"]AFC Champions League 2012: Guangzhou Evergrande vs Kashiwa Reysol - YouTube[/ame]

Nico Limmat · Apr 19, 2012

CONCACACF Champions League Final, First Leg:
CF Monterrey (Mexico) - Santos Laguna (Mexico) 2:0

Humberto Suazo might very well give Monterrey the second CCL title in a row. Scored two goals on the night, both with a lot of skill!

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wb3xQeetdYM"]4.18.12 CCL Highlights Monterrey v Santos - YouTube[/ame]

UCL Semifinal, First Leg:
Chelsea (England) - Barcelona (Spain) 1:0

Chelsea managed to win at home in a hard-fought match. Things are very interesting in both semis and Real and Barcelona play each other on the weekend to add to the pressure.

It's called FOOTBALL · Apr 19, 2012

Looks like there's no footage to what led to the 1st goal, from the point of the goal kick after Herc's miss. Damn CONCACAF production.

Mt are a quality team. It's quite unfortunate that they lost to Kashiwa.

Next week will be hella interesting with Suazo out and an SL home crowd.

Mr. P Mosh · Apr 19, 2012

Respuesta: Re: 2012 FIFA Club World Cup: News & Analysis [R]

They lost Suazo but Delgado will be able to play, right?

jared9999 · Apr 19, 2012

Re: Respuesta: Re: 2012 FIFA Club World Cup: News & Analysis [R]

Mr. P Mosh said: ↑

They lost Suazo but Delgado will be able to play, right?
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yep

Nico Limmat · Apr 20, 2012

The Copa Libertadores group stage is complete and the knockout stages set. It's been a terrible year for Uruguay clubs as none managed to advance to the final 16. Bolivia on the other hand did manage to get one team through - Bolivar:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3imhwHePo0&feature=related"]Melhores Momentos | Bolívar 3 X 0 Universidad Católica | 17/04/2012 - YouTube[/ame]

Lusankya · Apr 20, 2012

I always think of Donald Duck's dog, when I hear "Bolivar".

Nico Limmat · Apr 20, 2012

Apparently a new attendance record was set this week for the AFC Champions League when Persepolis hosted Qatar's Al Gharafa in Tehran. A crowd of 96,200 was there:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC-Tj1PR7fw"]Persepolis Iran vs Al-Gharafa Qatar Highlights- 2012 AFC Champions League Group D - YouTube[/ame]

glennaldo_sf · Apr 20, 2012

must have been all those Qatari away fans...

Flora62 · Apr 20, 2012

Interesting, I wasn't aware of the background. Thanks for the info.

Nico Limmat · Apr 25, 2012

Defending CWC champions Barcelona experienced a bitter exit last night against a determined Chelsea. The streak continues, not a single club has managed to win consecutive titles in the CL era. Bayern and Real play for the other finalist tonight.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV2jykZlb60"]Fc Barcelona vs Chelsea 2-2 (agg 2-3) - All Highlights and Goals - 24/04/2012 - YouTube[/ame]

Nico Limmat · Apr 25, 2012

And Bayern follow Chelsea into the final in Munich after beating Real Madrid in penalties. Ronaldo, Kaka and Ramos all missed.

UCL Final: Bayern Munich (Germany) - Chelsea (England)

Up next tonight, the CONCACAF decider between Santos and Monterrey!