CWC Semi-Final Preview: AC Milan - Urawa Reds --
goal.com previewThe champions of Europe and Asia meet on Thursday evening to decide which continent will be represented in the final of the Club World Cup on Sunday.
Milan Aiming To End Negative SequenceMilan come into this edition of the FIFA Club World Cup having failed in their previous three attempts to become club champions of the world.
Four years ago, whilst the tournament was still known as the Intercontinental Cup they lost on penalties to Boca Juniors following a 1-1 draw after extra time.
The Argentine-giants and 2007 Copa Libertadores winners are the Rossoneri’s most likely opponents in Sunday’s final if, as expected, Milan beat Japanese-outfit Urawa Reds in Thursday’s semi-final.
Before this defeat to Boca Juniors, Milan also suffered losses in 1993 and 1994.
In the former they were beaten 3-2 by an outstanding Sao Paulo side containing the likes of Cerezo, Leonardo and Luiz Muller, while a year later they were defeated 2-0 by Jose Chilavert’s Velez Sarsfield.
Urawa's Chance For More Glory After Roller-Coaster YearThis is the game that the whole of Japan have been waiting for and while Urawa may not always be everyone’s favourite team in the Land of the Rising Sun, it is not only their famous fans that will be cheering them on tonight.
Urawa are the first Japanese club to appear at the competition. This year, FIFA decided to give Japan, the host nation, a place but Urawa qualified in their own right by lifting the Asian Champions League trophy.
It has been an amazing 12 months for the Saitama side. The Reds won the J-League for the first time last December, won the continental cup at their first attempt and are looking to round things off with the Club World Cup.
Despite a glorious year, Urawa entered the competition on the back of a terrible run of domestic form. Exhausted by their Asian exertions, Urawa collected a mere three points from their last five leagues allowing Kashima Antlers to overturn a massive 10-point deficit and claim the title by a margin of two points. An Emperor’s Cup exit at the hands of second division Ehime FC was another setback.
After the frantic last two months of the season, Urawa finally had time to recover before comfortably defeating Sepahan of Iran in Monday's quarter-final.
Previous Successes Milan first appeared in the final in the competition’s very original two-legged format back in 1963. Nereo Rocco’s men were involved in a legendary match with Pele’s Santos, which finished 6-6 on aggregate, and was settled by a 1-0 playoff win for the Brazilians.
The Rossoneri then won their next three outings, beating the infamously violent Independiente in 1969, Atletico Nacional 20 years later, and finally Olimpia Asuncion in 1990.
All in all Milan have a record of won three and lost four in previous ‘Club World Cup’ appearances. European Jinx
Since the FIFA Club World Cup officially replaced the Intercontinental Cup in 2005, a European team has yet to win. Liverpool lost 1-0 to Sao Paulo in 2005, while Barcelona lost by the same scoreline to Internacional last year.
Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani has declared the FIFA Club World Cup as Milan’s “number one objective†for the season so surely Milan will break this European hoodoo?
Asian teams have yet to set the competition alight.
Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad defeated African champions Al-Ahly in 2005 before losing 3-2 to eventual winners Sao Paulo in the semi-final. South Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors eased past Auckland City in 2006 before losing 1-0 to Club America in the quarter-final.
FORM GUIDE
Milan
Milan – Celtic 1-0 (Champions League)
Milan – Juventus 0-0
Benfica – Milan 1-1
Cagliari – Milan 1-2
Shakhtar Donetsk – Milan 0-3 (Champions League)
Milan – Torino 0-0
Urawa
Urawa – Sepahan 3-1 (CWC)
Yokohama FC – Urawa 1-0
Ehime – Urawa 1-0 (Emperor’s Cup)
Urawa – Kashima 0-1
Kawasaki – Urawa 1-1
TEAM NEWSMilan
Milan have been boosted by the return to training of Ronaldo and Marek Jankulovski. While the latter could be set to play, ‘El Fenomeno’ will not be risked, although it is speculated that he will be fit for Sunday’s final should the Rossoneri make it there.
Reports coming out of Italy suggest that Coach Carlo Ancelotti will field a strong line-up and will not fall into the trap that many European teams have done in this competition in the past in under-estimating their opposition.
Urawa
The ligament injury suffered by Brazilian playmaker Robson Ponte in the final game of the season is a big blow to boss Holger Osieck. Captain Nobuhisa Yamada and striker Tatsuya Tanaka are also doubts.
PLAYERS TO WATCHKaka (Milan)The newly-crowned Ballon d’Or winner was mobbed by theatrical fans when Milan landed at Tokyo International Airport last week. The brilliant Brazilian should have too much class for the Japanese-side to handle.
Marcos Tulio Tanaka (Urawa)The Brazilian-born defender is a giant at the back for Urawa and was named J-League MVP in 2006. Tanaka is strong in the tackle, good on the ball and great in the air. He is a threat from set pieces but against a star-studded Milan, his defensive qualities are what the Reds need.
PREDICTIONProviding Milan go into this game in a professional manner there can surely be only one winner. It won’t be easy as some think however– backed by some of the most passionate fans in the world, Urawa were unbeaten in the Asian Champions League and are fired up.
Milan 2-0 Urawa Red Diamonds