Another emerging theme after last night is the African representative always losing in all-Arab matches against Asian clubs. Every single time so far: 2000 Raja Casablanca (Morocco) - Al Nassr (Saudi Arabia) 3:4 2005 Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) - Al Ahly (Egypt) 1:0 2011 Espérance Tunis (Tunisia) - Al Sadd (Qatar) 1:2 2018 Espérance Tunis (Tunisia) - Al Ain (UAE) 0:3 As for Liga MX, it has now represented CONCACAF 13 times since the competition format changed in 2005. In six of those CWC editions it failed to progress beyond the quarterfinal stage. Not exactly a ringing endorsement for a league that holds itself to high standards.
Real Madrid have arrived in Abu Dhabi to defend their title. Looking ahead to the upcoming matches... 5th Place: Espérance Tunis - CD Guadalajara Once Mexican pride is hurt their clubs approach this game with a mindset of vengeance. Mexico's record is spotless in the 5th place match. Unlike CAF, who's representatives more often than not completely deflate after their tires are punctured in the quarterfinals. I see no reason for this game to be any different. SF#1: River Plate - Al Ain Al Ain are gathering momentum after a scrappy opening playoff and get to play this semifinal in their home stadium. I believe they have the tools to upset River Plate on a good day. The main question is how the Gallinas (hens) have recovered after their fourth Copa Libertadores triumph over hated rivals Boca Juniors. Not just physically but also emotionally. The fiasco around the Libertadores second leg must have been very draining. They did arrive in the UAE quite early (coming directly from Madrid) so maybe they did get the opportunity re-focus. UAE hosts have been on an upwards trajectory: 2009 Playoff Round (Shabab Al Ahli) 2010 Quarterfinal (Al Wahda) 2017 Semifinal (Al Jazira) 2018 Final? SF#2: Kashima Antlers - Real Madrid Kashima got their opportunity to play the Merengues once again after taking them to extra time in the 2016 CWC final. This time as Asian champions. In 2016 they started the game with eleven Japanese players. This time they have some international quality in Serginho to further strengthen the team. Real Madrid have been quite underwhelming this season after Ronaldo has left. They barely beat Rayo Vallecano 1:0 at home before getting on the plane and more embarrassingly, lost 3:0 at the Bernabeu to CSKA Moscow in the final UCL group match just days before. Can Kashima Antlers make Real Madrid sweat?
Kashima will struggle this time. They lost 2 key players (Suzuki who is Kashima's top scorer and Misao who is a NT midfielder) before the tournament. I was surprised Kashima beat Guadalajara without them.
Given how River Plate struggled to get past hosts Sanfrecce Hiroshima in 2015 I doubt they will make the mistake of looking past Al Ain:
How Al Ain can stun River Plate to reach the final (The National) The article raises an important question. Should Al Ain play the now fully recovered Marcus Berg or stick to a tactical approach that enables Caio and Hussein El Shahat to hit River Plate on the counter with fast breaks?
Its amazing just how poor Liga MX clubs are in this competition... Then if you think that MLS clubs can't compete with the Mexicans, how bad must they be? I know both leagues are improving and can sign many top players like Atlanta United getting Pity Martinez, but these north american sides need to realize its not about just expensive signings. If you have 2 or 3 players making 10 times more than the rest of the team, its probably not gonna work. Sure, you can win your mickey mouse league, but in international competition, you need more than that. As for River's match, its true that we struggled 3 years ago against the host nation, but I think the team was just nervous and uptight. This time, i believe we have a team that is just going to enjoy and won't feel the pressure. Beating Boca means no matter what happens, our players will be legends. In 2015, to achieve immortality they needed to beat Barcelona, because beating Tigres is not what the fans consider a massive achievement, it was much more difficult to overcome Boca in the Round of 16, Cruzeiro int he QFs and Libertad in the semis than to beat Tigres 3-0 in the rain.
Real Madrid has been limping of late, so they're vulnerable. On the other hand, I'm not sure River's style would help them to win such a final. And they have to get past the locals first, always a difficult task.
Halftime. Esperance - Chivas 1:1. Two penalties. Remember, placement matches have no extra time. Heading to Al Ain now...
Halftime. River Plate lead 2:1 after conceding in the 3rd minute. Al Ain with a disallowed goal just before halftime. Should be a good second half!
The goal was rightfully disallowed so its not really even worth bringing up. Nowadays with the VAR, linesman are told to keep the flag down just in case so the VAR can correct any mistake, and thats what happened here. That being said, our defense is a mess. We are looking very good going forward, Borre was definitely missed in the Final in the Bernabeu. He is a true goal poacher. The match may not even have gone to extra time had he been there.
I watched a lot of the CONCACAF champions league last spring, it was really entertaining and exciting. Chivas were not the best team though, other MX and MLS sides were better. Not to take anything from them, they won it fair and square, but I think it was upset (although admittedly hard to back that up with two legged aggregate series, so fair enough, maybe I'm wrong).
🇹🇳🇹🇳🇹🇳Nine-man @ESTuniscom prevailed on penalties to win the #ClubWC match for fifth place against @Chivas 👇 pic.twitter.com/NjOSvQWdl9— FIFA (@FIFAcom) December 18, 2018
Ladies and gentlemen, the Club World Cup: where you can be temporarily down 3-0 to Team Wellington and have a go at River Plate a week later
2:2 heading into extra time and anything seems possible. An upset lies in the air, especially after River Plate missed a penalty.
Man, this game proves that the rest of the world has no business at this tournament and we should go back to the Intercontinental! /s
Since when is Khalid Eisa so good? Today the Al-Ain keeper has been formidable, but in the Asian Champions he was unimpressive, I remember Al-Duhali putting eight past him in two games.