The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Brazil’s Corinthians reach Club World Cup final Posted: 12 Dec 2012 04:38 AM PST  Paolo Guerrero (second right) heads the ball to put Corinthians through. — Reuters pics Peru striker Paolo Guerrero twisted superbly to head the winner for the Libertadores Cup holders on the half-hour mark to the delight of the Corinthians fans in Toyota. "We were expecting a difficult match," Corinthians coach Tite told reporters. "We had huge responsibility on us to win and mentally we were under a lot of pressure."  Al-Ahly coach El Badry: "We deserved to win." Chelsea, whose defence of their Champions League title ended in the group stage last week, face Mexico's Monterrey in the other semi-final in Yokohama tomorrow (1030 GMT). The Chelsea players, stopping to watch the second half of the game in Yokohama's mixed zone after training, will have seen precious little to worry them from the Brazilians. Ramy Rabia and Elsayed Hamdi missed gilt-edged chances for Al-Ahly, whose players are still scarred by a stadium riot in which more than 70 fans died earlier this year. Al-Ahly coach Hossam El Badry could hardly mask his disappointment after his side failed to take their chances after dominating the second half. "I'm frustrated that we lost because it was a really good performance," he told reporters. "We made a mistake and got punished but we deserved to win the game." European sides have won the last five editions of the Club World Cup, Barcelona lifting the trophy in 2009 and 2011. Many fans have made the long trip from Brazil to cheer on Corinthians, the first winners of the FIFA competition in 2000. — Reuters |
| Chelsea will score but we can beat them, says Monterrey coach Posted: 12 Dec 2012 04:28 AM PST YOKOHAMA, Japan, Dec 12 — Monterrey coach Victor Vucetich says his side will be powerless to prevent Chelsea from scoring in their Club World Cup semi-final here tomorrow, but he still believes the Mexicans can pull off their biggest ever win. Chelsea have scored nine goals in their past two games following a difficult start under interim manager Rafael Benitez, with misfiring striker Fernando Torres netting four times.  Coach Vucetich: "Great respect" for Chelsea but … — Reuters pic "I'm sure Chelsea will score goals tomorrow," he told reporters today. "They are a strong, physical side and technically skilful. "We have great respect for them, they are one of the top teams in the world and in the Premier League but we have talent too," said the 57-year-old. "We will look to show our quality. You always want to win the biggest tournaments regardless who your opponents. We want to write a new page in Monterrey's history. "We passed the first step and we are even more motivated for the next game and to show our strengths." Asked if beating Chelsea would be the biggest result ever for a Mexican club, Vucetich replied: "Yes, of course. We know Chelsea very well but I believe we can win." Vucetich said he was stunned that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich had fired Italian Roberto Di Matteo last month and replaced him, at least temporarily, with Benitez. "I was very much surprised they suddenly changed the manager," he said. "They played under one coach in the Champions League and he's not coming. "However, Benitez is a big coach and very capable manager with experience of big matches," he added of the Spaniard, who won the 2010 Club World Cup with Inter Milan in Abu Dhabi. "We are aware of his tactics and are confident of dealing with Chelsea." Monterrey defenders Darvin Chavez and Hiram Mier, part of Mexico's gold medal-winning side at this year's London Olympics, were equally positive about the semi-final tomorrow. "London gave us a lot of confidence about playing at a high level outside Mexico," said Mier. "We want to perform well again for Mexico." Mexico upset Brazil 2-1 in the Olympic final at Wembley in August and Chavez was confident of pulling off another shock at the Club World Cup. "It has been a childhood dream to play for a big club abroad," he said. "But I'm a Monterrey player and focused on doing my job for them here." Brazil's Libertadores Cup holders Corinthians will play Egypt's Al-Ahly in the tournament's first semi-final in Toyota later today. — Reuters |
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