I have to say, I wouldn't mind watching Gignac in the UAE next year. Provided no Chinese club snatches him from Tigres by then. Then again, he might be here with the Chinese team.
Club America's Centenario year concluded without a happy end and yet another lost penalty shoot-out. Looks like a very entertaining final. Extra time, last-gasp equalizer, red cards, brawl, penalties. Everything. Kashima Antlers' season is still alive. They progressed to the Emperor's Cup semifinal played on 29/12.
Kashima Antlers are still not done with their season. They will play the Emperor's Cup final on new year's day:
Kashima Antlers crowned their exceptional season with an Emperor's Cup title, scoring the match-winner in the 94th minute of extra time. Really looking forward to watching them play in the 2017 AFC Champions League: That concludes all Japan 2016 story-lines. See you back here for UAE 2017 when I will be posting live from the host venues in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi.
Man...Kashima reeeeally wanted to rub the salt in for América, didn't they? A better performance against Real, medalling in the CWC and now a domestic title with a late winner?