2013 FIFA Club World Cup: Tournament News & Qualifiers [R]

In what was a charged and hugely entertaining UEFA Super Cup, Bayern got revenge against Chelsea for the 2012 UCL final. In similar fashion no less, last minute goal and a very close penalty shootout thereafter. It's Bayern's first title under Guardiola. Shame they didn't win the German Super Cup as well. The possibility of a "sextuple" would have been a nice story in December.

The CAF Champions League plays Matchday 4 of the group stage this weekend. Orlando Pirates have a chance to already book their place in the semis.

 

After matchday four Esperance have nearly reached the CAF semis with a win over Sewe Sport.



It seems the Tunisian league is also suspended due to political unrest, and I suppose that would explain the absence of a crowd. Out of all confederations CAF has without a doubt had the most difficult time organizing its continental championship the last few years. And things don't seem to get any easier. Orlando Pirates didn't want to travel to Egypt but since the match was moved to El Gouna - away from Cairo - and attendance limited to 3000 they had no choice. Zamalek won 2-1 and is now back in the race for the semis.



The competition logo of the 2013/2014 CWC will be unveiled tomorrow in Casablanca.

 

The Morocco 2013 logo has been unveiled:
http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/organisation/media/newsid=2166433/index.html

Looks like FIFA is changing the design of its competition logos...

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_CAF_Champions_League_group_stage

With only one matchday left in the group stage three clubs have claimed their spot in the CAF CL semis:

- Esperance (Tunisia) - Winner Group B
- Coton Sport (Cameroon) - Second Group B
- Al Ahly (Egypt) - Group A

After a great start South Africa's Orlando Pirates have now suffered two losses in a row and have to fear for their semi-final qualification. Their last game is against Al Ahly who would like to a) get revenge for the "home" defeat b) avoid Esperance in the semis. The Republic of Congo's AC Leopards have really put a dent in Orlando's campaign:



The AFC CL quarterfinals will conclude this Wednesday.

 

And the final four are set in Asia:

FC Seoul (Korea Republic) - Esteghlal (Iran)
Kashiwa Reysol (Japan) - Guangzhou Evergrande (China)

From what I've seen Guangzhou have the quality to be the first Chinese winner since 1990.

This also means three Arab clubs in Morocco is no longer possible.

 

We are finally back to a home & away final format this year.

I personally predict a Seoul - Guangzhou final. Esteghlal's defense just doesn't convince me.

More Highlights:





The CAF group stage will be concluded this weekend.

 

Zamalek win 4-1 on the last matchday but are kept out due to a draw between Ahly and Orlando.

CAF Champions League Semifinals
Coton Sport (Cameroon) - Al Ahly (Egypt)
Orlando Pirates (South Africa) - Esperance (Tunisia)

The Asian semis start this week...

 

That would certainly make a well attended final.

Over 150,000 in both legs. 91,600 in Tehran and 58,500 in Guangzhou.

Indeed. Looks like a repeat of last year's final.

 

AFC Semis, First Leg:

FC Seoul (Korea Republic) - Esteghlal (Iran) 2:0
Kashiwa Reysol (Japan) - Guangzhou Evergrande (China) 1:4

Guangzhou can start planning for the final while Esteghlal will need some major Azadi support in leg two.

 

Always nice to see such a presence of Guangzhou fans at away matches.

 

Ronaldinho suffers thigh injury - questionable for Morocco 2013:
http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/newsid=2182236/index.html?intcmp=newsreader_news_box_2

Bet the organizers wish they had started selling tickets already.

First the transfer loss of Bernard and now this. Obviously Ronaldinho is not the player he used to be and its probably safe to say that others carried the team to Libertadores victory, but you just don't hear many positives out of Mineiro. Can someone closer to Brazilian football comment on the state of the team, because right now Bayern look like overwhelming favorites.

 

Probably a requirement by the AFC. Will you attend the final if FC Seoul makes it?