2008 CWC: Gamba Osaka - Manchester United (Semifinal #2) [R]

[SwissGCZ]

http://www.fifa.com/mm/photo/tournament/competition/95/13/67/951367_medium.jpg http://www.fifa.com/mm/photo/tournament/competition/82/25/17/822517_medium.jpg

Date: 18.12.2008 (19:30 Yokohama)

TV: Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Sports en Español, ART Sport 3, Others (http://www.goalzz.com/main.aspx?c=4098)

Can Gamba trip or at least annoy the European giant that is ManU?

[Andrés_]

Hmm. Gamba doesn't convince me as much as Urawa did last year, i don't know how is Manchester United really taking this(yes they say they care but...). I guess Manchester United is likely to win comfortably.

[SwissGCZ]

Agreed, at least so far Gamba don't appear to be a team capable of stopping ManU. Urawa last year (even without playmaker Robson Ponte) made a better impression. Of course that could still change, but right now ManU look to be the overwhelming favorites.

[vilafria]

Home advantage counts for something, but I think ManU will win 3-1.

[DCU1996]

2:0 ManU

[cmedina1983]

It's not looking promising for Gamba Osaka. What I hear from seasoned Japanese watchers, previous Japanese entrants had a heavy focus on defence while Gamba seem to possess an overly offensive style of football. Against "better" opponents the former mentality gives them more trouble but the offensive style will cause Gamba to open up far too much; this will leave Manchester United, a team too professional to ignore such gaping holes, a lot of room to play with and create chances from.

[OrangeCajun]

GLORY, GLORY, MAN UNITED!! 5-3 winners.

[RMCFkevin]

Awesome game! The final 20 minutes were absolutely enthralling!

I know I'm about to sound crazy but was anybody else highly impressed by Yasuhito Endo (#7 for Gamba Osaka)? Wow what a great talent! He kept possesion extremely well, hit some crackers on goal, and scored a penalty kick with one of the worst run ups I've ever seen! This guy has some serious talent and I wouldn't be surprised to see a big team sign him in upcoming years.

[1MADDOG]

Now Man U will face a Liga team that lost key players that got them the trophy.

Man U should win, as liga isn't doing well right now.

[spc3sc]

Gamba put on a good show and (I suppose) pleased their fans

Everybody wins :)

[Wezza]

Awesome game! The final 20 minutes were absolutely enthralling!

I know I'm about to sound crazy but was anybody else highly impressed by Yasuhito Endo (#7 for Gamba Osaka)? Wow what a great talent! He kept possesion extremely well, hit some crackers on goal, and scored a penalty kick with one of the worst run ups I've ever seen! This guy has some serious talent and I wouldn't be surprised to see a big team sign him in upcoming years.
Yep he's got some talent that lad. We've known about it for a little while now seeing him in the Asian Champions League.

[SwissGCZ]

Very entertaining match. Gamba was relentless and played some great combinations doing their part to make this a memorable semifinal.

We now get the traditional UEFA vs. CONMEBOL final. The third place match between Gamba and Pachuca should be interesting as well.

Looking forward to Sunday.

[vilafria]

Awesome game! The final 20 minutes were absolutely enthralling!

I know I'm about to sound crazy but was anybody else highly impressed by Yasuhito Endo (#7 for Gamba Osaka)? Wow what a great talent! He kept possesion extremely well, hit some crackers on goal, and scored a penalty kick with one of the worst run ups I've ever seen! This guy has some serious talent and I wouldn't be surprised to see a big team sign him in upcoming years.


Isn't Chelsea FC looking for just a player ? :)