2016 FIFA Club World Cup: Tournament News & Qualifiers [R]

The AFC channel is geo-blocked for me but I'm not in the low....errr....highlights I've seen.

Leaving the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium I couldn't help but feel that Al Ain lost this final series more than Jeonbuk won it. The defining moment was of course when Douglas skied the penalty just before halftime. Al Ain never recovered from that. Guess Douglas really didn't want to return to Japan (this is the same Douglas who played the 2015 CWC with Sanfrecce Hiroshima). Losing two consecutive ACL finals in close fashion has a devastating feel to it for UAE football but I hope to be attending my third final in a row next year!

On the upside, the match was refreshingly well organized. They actually created a perimeter where only ticket-holders could pass to approach the gates. So no pushing and shoving. I also took one of my friends to the final in Dubai last year and a modern venue like this makes a world of difference as he astutely observed.

Jeonbuk didn't overly impress me so good for you @jared9999 !

Looking ahead, Club America and Jeonbuk Motors meet once again. 10 years later.

 

That leaves the host team. To be decided between Urawa Reds and Kashima Antlers...

UEFA: Real Madrid Club de Fútbol (Spain)
CONMEBOL: Club Atlético Nacional S.A. (Colombia)
CONCACAF: Club de Fútbol América S.A. de C.V. (Mexico)
AFC: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors Football Club (South Korea)
CAF: Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club (South Africa)
OFC: Auckland City Football Club (New Zealand)
Host: TBD (Dec 3)

 

J. League Final, First Leg:

Kashima Antlers - Urawa Reds 0:1

Not directly related to Japan 2016, but I will mention it here anyway. Participants Atletico Nacional, who also reached this year's Copa Sudamericana final, have asked CONMEBOL to award the title to Chapecoense in the wake of today's horrific plane crash. A great gesture and I hope it happens.

 

Kashima Antlers won the second leg 2:1 away and are the last team to qualify as J. League champions. It is their 8th title in club history.

Let's now move this discussion to the main tournament thread:
http://forums.bigsoccer.com/threads/fifa-club-world-cup-japan-2016-r.2037304/