I would be there as well if I didn't have tickets to John Cleese that evening. Oh well, the Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup is just around the corner later this month in Dubai. The Orlando 'Bucs' are apparently not very happy with the pitch in Cairo: http://www.sportlive.co.za/soccer/sa/article10300270.ece At least Al Ahly gets to have a home crowd. Limited to 30K and in a different stadium but that is miles better than far away at El Gouna.
John Cleese???!!!!! Ugh that sounds like the better option... ah well, I guess I should always look on the bright side of life though, but damn do I miss life in the UAE compared to here in Qatar
It's over in Guangzhou. Final Score 1-1. Guangzhou Evergrande are the first Chinese club to crown themselves Asian champions in 23 years! Marcello Lippi is the first coach to win both, the European and Asian Champions League. The Afrian champion will be determined tomorrow Sunday.
And the African champions are... (3-1 on aggregate) Orlando Pirates couldn't match Guangzhou's historical feat and South Africa will have to continue to wait. Al Ahly extend their own CAF record to eight titles. This is remarkable considering they have hardly played domestic league football in about two years.
So we know have the full bracket for the 2013 CWC: First round Raja Casablanca (MAR) vs. Auckland City (NZL) Quarterfinals Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN) vs. Al-Ahly (EGY) Raja Casablanca/Auckland City vs. CF Monterrey (MEX) Semifinals Guangzhou Evergrande/Al-Ahly vs. Bayern Munich (GER) Raja Casablanca/Auckland City/Monterrey vs. Atlético Mineiro (BRA) Final Semifinal winners
The complete line-up... UEFA: FC Bayern Munich (Germany) CONMEBOL: Clube Atlético Mineiro (Brazil) CONCACAF: CF Monterrey (Mexico) AFC: Guangzhou Evergrande FC (China) CAF: Al Ahly SC (Egypt) OFC: Auckland City FC (New Zealand) Host: Raja Club Athletic (Morocco) AFC Final, Second Leg Highlights: Interesting side-note, Guangzhou can still win the Chinese Cup and by extension the Asian treble. We could in theory have the European treble holder against the Asian treble holder in the semis.
CAF Final, Second Leg: This was Aboutrika's final match at home in Cairo before entering retirement at the end of the year. With two goals over both legs he contributed greatly to Al Ahly's 8th title. The Club World Cup will be a great stage for a player of his caliber to say goodbye. He truly is an Ahly legend.
I have to believe he'll go right on the list of football's greatest players to miss out on the World Cup finals (assuming no miracle in Cairo, of course).
Conflicting reports on the status of Abdul Zaher, scorer Al Ahly's second goal on Sunday. Zaher celebrated the goal by giving a four-fingered salute. The 'Rabaa sign' gesture has been used as a victory sign across Egypt to remember the Rabaa al-Adawiya protest in support of former President Mohammed Mursi. The demonstration was dispersed in a deadly military crackdown which saw hundreds of protesters killed. The fate of Zaher has ranged from suspension to the club putting the player up for sale. Zaher has been quoted as saying that he "made a mistake", Al-Ahly saying their decision to not take the player to Morocco is based on its practice of ''refusing to mix between politics and sports''.
Que saudade de treinar com bola! Reta final de recuperação! Vamos com tudo pro mundial!!! http://t.co/EtkDrRLulC pic.twitter.com/pZ9z2unQ4l— Ronaldinho (@10Ronaldinho) November 12, 2013
Match officials announced for Morocco 2013: http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/newsid=2222606/index.html
On Monday 18 November Raja Casablanca were beaten in the Moroccan Cup final (Coupe du Trône), losing to Difaâ Hassani d'El Jadida 5-4 on penalties following a 0-0 draw after extra-time. Defending champions Raja have previously won the competition on seven occasions. Zouhair Laaroubi was the hero for Difaa El Jadida, saving two spot kicks and converting the winner to give his side its first ever Coupe triumph.
Various News Items: - Dario Conca is leaving Guangzhou Evergrande after the CWC (joining Fluminense) - Bayern will fly to Morocco on Dec 14 (semi-final against Guangzhou/Ahly on Dec 17) - National broadcaster ARD will show the CWC in Germany, at least the Bayern games. - The CWC trophy (currently on tour at the participating clubs) attracted 8,000 visitors in Belo Horizonte.
But he certainly has been a regular at the Club World Cup. This will be his fifth appearance. He scored both goals in Al Ahly's best finish to date, the third place in 2006: While we are in the past, FIFA looked back at the 1963 Intercontinental Cup between Santos and AC Milan: http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/history/news/newsid=2224094/index.html In other news, FIFA will use the vanishing spray in Morocco next to the goal-line technology: http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/footb...ort/refereeing/news/newsid=2226962/index.html On a separate note, we have previously tried to determine players that have won continental championships in more than one confederation. Monterrey's Neri Cardozo has won both, the Copa Libertadores and CONCACAF Champions League.
Now that I think about it (and correct me if I'm wrong), Damián Manso may have won the same tournaments - with LDU Quito in 2008 and Pachuca in 2010.
India still interested in hosting 2015. It's about time FIFA clarifies the bidding process for 2015 and beyond.: http://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/3952...e-possibilities-of-hosting-the-club-world-cup Eurosport has picked up Morocco 2013 while Fox Sports will show the tournament in Australia.
So the Raja Casablanca part of the promo features a player ripping his shirt off after scoring. That wouldn't constitute FIFA promoting bookable offenses, would it?
Injured Ribery targets Club World Cup return: http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/newsid=2227970/index.html So Ribery should also be back. Not that I would mind Shaqiri taking his place on the side.