FIFA Club World Cup: UAE 2017 [R]

Discussion in 'FIFA and Tournaments' started by Nico Limmat, Nov 30, 2017.

  1. Nico Limmat

    Nico Limmat Member+

    Oct 24, 1999
    Dubai, UAE
    Club:
    Grasshopper Club Zürich
    Nat'l Team:
    Switzerland
    [​IMG]

    Tournament Home on FIFA.com

    M1 | 06.12.17 | Al Jazira - Auckland City (Playoff)
    M2 | 09.12.17 | CF Pachuca - Wydad Casablanca (Quarterfinal)
    M3 | 09.12.17 | Winner M1 - Urawa Reds (Quarterfinal)
    M4 | 12.12.17 | Loser M2 - Loser M3 (Match for 5th Place)
    M5 | 12.12.17 | Grêmio FBPA - Winner M2 (Semifinal)
    M6 | 13.12.17 | Winner M3 - Real Madrid (Semifinal)
    M7 | 16.12.17 | Loser M6 - Loser M5 (Match for 3rd Place)
    M8 | 16.12.17 | Winner M6 - Winner M5 (Final)


    TV Coverage / Schedule (Time Zone Converter) / Regulations

    upload_2017-11-30_16-7-12.png
    Final Venue: Zayed Sports City

    UEFA: Real Madrid Club de Fútbol (Spain)
    CONMEBOL: Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense (Brazil)
    CONCACAF: Club de Fútbol Pachuca (Mexico)
    AFC: Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)
    CAF: Wydad Athletic Club (Morocco)
    OFC: Auckland City Football Club (New Zealand)
    Host: Al Jazira Club (UAE)

    [​IMG]

    Prize Money

    1. USD 5,000,000
    2. USD 4,000,000
    3. USD 2,500,000
    4. USD 2,000,000
    5. USD 1,500,000
    6. USD 1,000,000
    7. USD 500,000

    Total:
    16.5 Million
     
    IASocFan repped this.
  2. Nico Limmat

    Nico Limmat Member+

    Oct 24, 1999
    Dubai, UAE
    Club:
    Grasshopper Club Zürich
    Nat'l Team:
    Switzerland
    [​IMG]

    Tournament Winners & Statistics:

    Intercontinental Cup

    1960 Real Madrid (ESP)
    1961 Peñarol (URU)
    1962 Santos (BRA)
    1963 Santos (BRA)
    1964 Inter Milan (ITA)
    1965 Inter Milan (ITA)
    1966 Peñarol (URU)
    1967 Racing Club (ARG)
    1968 Estudiantes (ARG)
    1969 AC Milan (ITA)
    1970 Feyenoord (NED)
    1971 Nacional (URU)
    1972 Ajax Amsterdam (NED)
    1973 Independiente (ARG)
    1974 Atlético Madrid (ESP)
    1975 No competition
    1976 Bayern Munich (GER)
    1977 Boca Juniors (ARG)
    1978 No competition
    1979 Olimpia (PAR)

    Toyota Cup

    1980 Nacional (URU)
    1981 Flamengo (BRA)
    1982 Peñarol (URU)
    1983 Grêmio (BRA)
    1984 Independiente (ARG)
    1985 Juventus (ITA)
    1986 River Plate (ARG)
    1987 FC Porto (POR)
    1988 Nacional (URU)
    1989 AC Milan (ITA)
    1990 AC Milan (ITA)
    1991 Red Star Belgrade (SER)
    1992 São Paulo (BRA)
    1993 São Paulo (BRA)
    1994 Vélez Sarsfield (ARG)
    1995 Ajax Amsterdam (NED)
    1996 Juventus (ITA)
    1997 Borussia Dortmund (GER)
    1998 Real Madrid (ESP)
    1999 Manchester United (ENG)
    2000 Boca Juniors (ARG)
    2001 Bayern Munich (GER)
    2002 Real Madrid (ESP)
    2003 Boca Juniors (ARG)
    2004 FC Porto (POR)
    [Merger with Club World Cup*]

    Club World Cup

    2000 Corinthians (BRA)
    2001 No competition
    2002 No competition
    2003 No competition
    2004 No competition
    [Merger with Toyota Cup*]
    2005 São Paulo (BRA)
    2006 Internacional (BRA)
    2007 AC Milan (ITA)
    2008 Manchester United (ENG)
    2009 FC Barcelona (ESP)
    2010 Inter Milan (ITA)
    2011 FC Barcelona (ESP)
    2012 Corinthians (BRA)
    2013 Bayern Munich (GER)
    2014 Real Madrid (ESP)
    2015 FC Barcelona (ESP)
    2016 Real Madrid (ESP)

    Clubs with Multiple Titles

    5 - Real Madrid (ESP)
    4 - AC Milan (ITA)
    3 - Bayern Munich (GER)
    3 - Boca Juniors (ARG)
    3 - FC Barcelona (ESP)
    3 - Inter Milan (ITA)
    3 - Nacional (URU)
    3 - Peñarol (URU)
    3 - São Paulo (BRA)
    2 - Ajax Amsterdam (NED)
    2 - Corinthians (BRA)
    2 - FC Porto (POR)
    2 - Independiente (ARG)
    2 - Juventus (ITA)
    2 - Manchester United (ENG)
    2 - Santos (BRA)

    Titles by Association

    10 - Brazil
    9 - Argentina
    9 - Italy
    9 - Spain
    6 - Uruguay
    4 - Germany
    3 - Netherlands
    2 - England
    2 - Portugal
    1 - Paraguay
    1 - Serbia

    Titles by Confederation

    30 - UEFA
    26 - CONMEBOL

    Note: FIFA has recognized all winners of the Intercontinental/Toyota Cup, played between 1960 and 2004, as club world champions.
     
  3. Blondo

    Blondo Member+

    Sep 21, 2013
    Not using the version without the Christian cross :ninja:

    [​IMG]

    *the countries involved are United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman.
     
  4. EvanJ

    EvanJ Member+

    Manchester United
    United States
    Mar 30, 2004
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Based on Nico Limmat's link to www.livesoccertv.com unfortunately in the USA, Fox Sports stopped showing it, and the games will only be on TV in Spanish.
     
  5. Nico Limmat

    Nico Limmat Member+

    Oct 24, 1999
    Dubai, UAE
    Club:
    Grasshopper Club Zürich
    Nat'l Team:
    Switzerland
    The Real Madrid "logo controversy" revolved around this project:



    It never made it past the drawing board but the UAE and more specifically the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, was supposed to be home to the first ever Real Madrid resort. Whether the logo was altered upon request or Real Madrid were overeager to be politically correct was never clarified but the cross is generally not prohibited in public for personal use and Christmas is widely celebrated in the UAE. Just about every mall puts up a Christmas tree in December.

    Moving on, Auckland City are already in the country and played a test match against UAE second division club Kalba. It was a scoreless draw. Some video footage can be seen here. Auckland play one more test game tomorrow Friday.
     
  6. Blondo

    Blondo Member+

    Sep 21, 2013
    @Nico Limmat I thought it was about Real wanting to sell more merchandise in the Gulf.
     
  7. Nico Limmat

    Nico Limmat Member+

    Oct 24, 1999
    Dubai, UAE
    Club:
    Grasshopper Club Zürich
    Nat'l Team:
    Switzerland
    Well, the Real Madrid kits still have the original logo. Just checked today. :D

    I think any leftover "Qatar Airways" Barcelona kits are a lot more controversial at this point. At least in the UAE. Talk about a timely switch to Rakuten.
     
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  8. Blondo

    Blondo Member+

    Sep 21, 2013
    Check other merchandise, please, Real's kits would still have the original crest.
     
  9. pogoss

    pogoss Member

    Wydad Casablanca
    Morocco
    Jan 15, 2017
    Japan
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    Morocco
    Very excited about this tournament, I was in the stadium for the CAF CL final between Wydad and Al Ahly.
    I wish our fans could afford the travel and make this atmosphere there :
     
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  10. Nico Limmat

    Nico Limmat Member+

    Oct 24, 1999
    Dubai, UAE
    Club:
    Grasshopper Club Zürich
    Nat'l Team:
    Switzerland
    #10 Nico Limmat, Dec 2, 2017
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2017
    @pogoss

    Well, Wydad should still be the third best supported club in the competition after Real Madrid (global appeal) and hosts Al Jazira. Unless Gremio really mobilize their supporters but with the new timing for the Copa Libertadores they have less than two weeks to do so. Previously South American supporters had several months to plan their trip. That simply must affect travel numbers.

    According to this there are about 100,000 Moroccans in the UAE. CWC expat population ranking:

    1. Morocco (100,000)
    2. Spain (12,000)
    3. Japan (4,000)
    3. New Zealand (4,000)
    4. Mexico (3,000)
    5. Argentina (2,000)

    All of them would be within a 90 minutes drive from the venues. Like I mentioned in the qualifying thread, for the organizers the African and Asian final had the "wrong" outcome. They would have loved to sell tickets to the Egyptian community (450,000) or neighbouring Saudi Arabia.

    I predict an average attendance of about 22,000. Similar to the 2010 edition.
     
  11. pogoss

    pogoss Member

    Wydad Casablanca
    Morocco
    Jan 15, 2017
    Japan
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    Morocco
    Good to know although I don't expect them to support like our fans would. I hope the few travelling fans will show them how to do that properly :D
     
  12. Paul Calixte

    Paul Calixte Moderator
    Staff Member

    Orlando City SC
    Apr 30, 2009
    Miami, FL
    Club:
    Orlando City SC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Worth noting that in the US, Telemundo will be sharing the tournament with its erstwhile sister channel NBC Universo. The latter will show the opener on Wednesday and the second quarterfinal on Saturday, while Telemundo will cover Pachuca's debut.
     
  13. Nico Limmat

    Nico Limmat Member+

    Oct 24, 1999
    Dubai, UAE
    Club:
    Grasshopper Club Zürich
    Nat'l Team:
    Switzerland
    Additional tournament info:
    Number of foreigners on each roster:

    - Auckland City (12)
    - Real Madrid (12)
    - CF Pachuca (9)
    - Al Jazira (4)
    - Urawa Reds (3)
    - Wydad Casablanca (3)
    - Gremio FBPA (2)
     
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  14. It's called FOOTBALL

    LMX Clubs
    Mexico
    May 4, 2009
    Chitown


    They had a going away party at their home stadium at 6pm CT last night, perhaps they did that purposely to spare their airport some commotion. Don't know if fans followed them to the airport after that, didn't see any vids.

    They didn't post flight info like past teams have, which allowed hardcores to follow their flight to the CWC. So I have no idea if it was nonstop or had a connector. It was fun following previous teams' journeys, as their clubs would give full specifics to the itinerary. In 2010, Pachuca stopped in Houston for a meet and greet before heading to the middle east. Other teams would stop in Cali before continuing on to Japan, usually an overnight stay before the connector the next day.
     
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  15. Nico Limmat

    Nico Limmat Member+

    Oct 24, 1999
    Dubai, UAE
    Club:
    Grasshopper Club Zürich
    Nat'l Team:
    Switzerland
  16. It's called FOOTBALL

    LMX Clubs
    Mexico
    May 4, 2009
    Chitown
    Found the Gopher itinerary:


    Should be landing soon

     
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  17. jared9999

    jared9999 Member+

    Jan 3, 2005
    Naucalpan Estado de Mex
    Club:
    Club América
    Nat'l Team:
    Mexico
    @Nico Limmat

    You think pachuca gonna win their first match?
     
  18. Nico Limmat

    Nico Limmat Member+

    Oct 24, 1999
    Dubai, UAE
    Club:
    Grasshopper Club Zürich
    Nat'l Team:
    Switzerland
    [​IMG]
    @Blondo - picture from inside the Real Madrid Cafe. That's the original logo. Looks like common sense has prevailed.

    I don't see a clear favorite in this match.

    Wydad Casablanca seem to be quite disciplined in defense. I could see a repeat of the Pachuca - Étoile du Sahel match in 2007 where los tuzos have a lot of the possession but Wydad are more clinical in front of the goal.
     
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  19. pogoss

    pogoss Member

    Wydad Casablanca
    Morocco
    Jan 15, 2017
    Japan
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    Morocco
    Wydad was supposed to travel today but they delayed to Wednesday according to the last news
     
  20. Nico Limmat

    Nico Limmat Member+

    Oct 24, 1999
    Dubai, UAE
    Club:
    Grasshopper Club Zürich
    Nat'l Team:
    Switzerland
    Let's talk about the opening match. Al Jazira - Auckland City.

    First some bad news for the Navy Blues. Their starting goalkeeper Danyon Drake has injured himself in training and will miss the game. Familiar faces on the roster are Ryan de Vries and Emiliano Tade. They don't require any additional introduction. If you don't know who they are you haven't been watching any of the last seven CWC editions.

    Instead let's take a closer look at Al Jazira. In spite of being based in the City of Abu Dhabi they don't get to play in their home ground. The Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium was the secondary venue during the 2009 and 2010 Club World Cup but was replaced this time around with the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. Speaking of Al Ain, they are the most popular club in the UAE but Al Jazira are safely in the top three. Al Jazira translates to "The Island" and that makes sense once you realize that the City of Abu Dhabi is located on a "t-shaped" island. That is the outline on the club crest.

    While being reasonably popular sporting success has been rather spotty. The league title that elevated them to hosts is only their second one in club history. Players to watch are Romarinho (ex-Corinthians, scored in the 2012 Libertadores final), Moroccan international Moubarak Boussoufa, Uzbek international Sardor Rashidov and UAE international Ali Mabkhout.
     
  21. pogoss

    pogoss Member

    Wydad Casablanca
    Morocco
    Jan 15, 2017
    Japan
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    Morocco
    Boussoufa is currently injured, he should be back to training this week but he has been missing since almost a month. His last game was in Ivory Coast with Morocco NT for the last World Cup Qualifier game. By the way in that WCQ game 3 Morocco NT players are in the squads of 3 teams participating in the Club World Cup : Achraf Hakimi with Real Madrid, Mbark Boussoufa with Al Jazira and Achraf Bencharki with Wydad Casablanca.

    Having strong ties with Japan where I leave (in Saitama so I will of course support Urawa Reds as well as Wydad Casablanca) I can't help notice that there are Japanese players in 3 teams as well, Urawa Reds of course, but also Keisuke Honda with Pachuca and Takuya Iwata the left back of Auckland City.
     
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  22. Nico Limmat

    Nico Limmat Member+

    Oct 24, 1999
    Dubai, UAE
    Club:
    Grasshopper Club Zürich
    Nat'l Team:
    Switzerland
    So did you attend both? African and Asian final?

    Since they put Boussoufa on Al Jazira's roster he must be close to returning.
     
  23. Nico Limmat

    Nico Limmat Member+

    Oct 24, 1999
    Dubai, UAE
    Club:
    Grasshopper Club Zürich
    Nat'l Team:
    Switzerland
    #23 Nico Limmat, Dec 5, 2017
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2017
    [​IMG]

    Let's turn back the clock to 2009, the last and only time Auckland City played a competitive match against a club from the UAE:



    It was a devastating defeat for Al Ahli (now known as Shabab Al Ahli) and UAE football in general. Auckland went on to finish in fifth place, a feat only topped by their astonishing third place accomplishment in 2014.

    Since then things have improved for the UAE league that had only just turned fully professional back in 2009. The top UAE clubs have nearly closed the gap to the Saudi elite, traditionally the strongest clubs in the region. While so far it hasn't resulted in an Asian Champions League title the league can nevertheless point to back-to-back final appearances in 2015 (Al Ahli) and 2016 (Al Ain) - two finals I was fortunate enough to attend in person.
     
  24. pogoss

    pogoss Member

    Wydad Casablanca
    Morocco
    Jan 15, 2017
    Japan
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    Morocco
    I attented to Wydad vs Al Ahly's final, I wasn't in Japan during the Asian final's second leg, I'll be returning there soon though.

    According to the last news Boussoufa is close to returning but if they don't win the 1st match he may not have the chance to play at all in this tournament.
     
  25. EvanJ

    EvanJ Member+

    Manchester United
    United States
    Mar 30, 2004
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Here are probabilities based on betting odds, which give odds for a draw even in games that would need extra time:

    Al Jazira win: 54.8%
    Draw: 26.6%
    Auckland City win: 18.6%

    I'm not saying I agree with the odds, I'm just saying what they are. One of the Al Jazira players said to FIFA that Auckland City is the favorite.
     

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