Preview: 2010 FIFA Club World Cup

The 2010 edition of the FIFA Club World Cup kicks off tomorrow morning in Abu Dhabi when Hekari United of Papua New Guinea takes on Emirati domestic champs Al-Wahda SC in the play-in game.

This tournament has always fascinated me.  I remember in my high school days waking up at 5 in the morning and meeting my friends at someone's house to watch the games, then go and get Hardee's breakfast all before school.  I think this tourney, no matter how lopsided it is, is a great idea and should persevere through all criticism.  I like that there's remains to be only one representative from each Confederation, because it truly introduces the viewer to the World's game from every corner of the world.  I remember some cool moments in year's past -- the introduction of Aboutrika to the world, the maturation of Alexandre Pato, the 4-0 drubbing of Club America by a great Barca team, the 2-1 heartbreaking loss by Waitakere United, and the 5-3 thriller between Man U and Gamba Osaka.  It's just a fun tournament if you feel like waking up.  My only suggestion/problem is the introduction of the host team.  Unlike the World Cup, this tournament (should) only has 6 spots for the 6 continental champions.  Instead of inviting an undeserved home team, the tourney venue should rotate between the confederations and be played in the stadium of the host confederation's representative (provided there is adequate stadia).  It might raise the attendance, too.  Think about it FIFA.....this year could have been played at the San Siro, in Porto Alegre, or Estadio Hidalgo.  DR Congo or Papua New Guinea might be questionable hosts... Nevertheless, here's a preview of the (real) teams and the tourney's schedule provided in Central Time:

OFC: PRK Hekari United Football Club (Papua New Guinea)

This may be the biggest minnow in the competition so the Port Moseby-based side might be here just to enjoy themselves.  They are still riding the high of being the first Oceania team to upset a New Zealand team as the beat Waitakere United 4-2 on aggregate to win the 2010 O-League.  The winners of the last 4 PNG Championships, Hekari will rely on coach Jerry Allen as well as stars David Mutu of Papua New Guinea and Henry Fa'arodo of the Solomon Islands to lead the team.  Hekari United FC take on Al-Wahda SC tomorrow morning at 10:00 am CT.




CAF: Tout Puissant Mazembe (DR Congo)

This is the second consecutive appearance for the crows, who look to better their disappointing peformance from last year.  The main difference from last year is the addition of Senegalese coach Lamine N'Diaye.  TP Mazembe are 4-time CAF Champions and 10-time Congolese champions.  The crows will take on Pachuca on Friday.  If they hope for any success, they will need to rely on captain Tresor Mputu and striker Given Singuluma, who scored 2 goals in their 6-1 rout of Esperance in the Champions League final.




CONCACAF: Pachuca Club de Futbol (Mexico)

Vamos, Los Tuzos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I can't help but be a little biased, but let's go CONCACAF. Normally I would hate a Mexican club team and ridicule Pachuca's two years of failure at the tournament, but on Pachuca reside two American internationals--Francisco "El Gringo" Torres and Herculez Gomez.  Pachuca will take on  Mazembe Friday.  Pachuca arrive in the UAE via an away-goal-decided victory against compatriot Cruz Azul.  Pachuca have won 4 Champions League titles and 5 Mexican Primeras.  Pachuca is coached by Argentine Pablo Marini.  If Pachuca will have any success, they will need to rely on captain goalie Miguel Calero, Paul Aguilar, el Gringo Torres, Edgar Bentiez, and Braulio Luna.



AFC: Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma Football Club (Korea Republic)

The team known as Pegasus will look to emulate or even better the success of last year's AFC representive and fellow Korean side Pohang Steelers.  Seognam are 7-time K-League champions and 2-time AFC champions.  They arrive in UAE thanks to a 3-1 victory over Iranians Zob Ahan in the AFC Champions League Final.  Australian Sasa Ognenovski was named tournament MVP for the Korean side, while Colombia Mauricio Molina led the team in goals.  Seognam is coached by Shin Tae-Yong and led by Cho Byung-Kuk.  They take on the winner of the play-in game Saturday.




CONMEBOL: Sport Club Internacional (Brazil)

Although not the current holders, Internacional boast that they are the only side in this year's field to have claimed the trophy before, back in 2006 with teen phenom Pato.  This time around Inter are coached  by countrymen Celso Roth and led by Argentines Roberto Abbondanzieri and Andres D'Alessandro and Brazilians Giuliano, Tinga, Rafael Sobis, and Alecsandro.  The Porto Alegre side comes to UAE following a 5-3 aggregate victory over Chivas de Guadalajara in la Copa Libertadores.  Inter has won 3 Brasileiros, 2 Libertadores, 1 Club World Cup, and 1 Copa Sudamericana.  They will play the winner of TP Mazembe and Pachuca Tuesday





UEFA: Football Club Internazionale Milano (Italy)

Inter Milan are the heavy favorites this year despite the loss of the Special One.  However, new manager Rafa Benitez has been here before with Liverpool in 2005.  The Nerazzurri qualify for this tournament by defeating Bayern Munich 2-0 in the Champions League final.  The Milan-based side are 3-time Champions League champions, 3-time UEFA Cup champions, and 18-time Serie A Champions.  Inter boast a star-studded squad including captain Javier Zanetti, Wesley Sneijder, Julio Cesar, Diego Milito, Maicon, and Samuel Eto'o.  Can Inter continue Europe's global dominance of late.  Tune-in next Wednesday when they face the winner of P1 Winner/Seognam Ilhwa.



Here's the FIFA link for schedule: http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/matches/index.html

Television: Fox Soccer Channel