The best way to end the year on a high note is to organize a tournament like FIFA Club World Cup. The champion clubs from all the six continental confederation as well as the national league champion from the host country will fight to achieve the FIFA Club World Cup trophy.
The FIFA Club World Cup 2015 will be the 12th edition and it will be hosted by Japan from 10-20 December 2015. The first edition was held in Brazil in 2002, and it stayed with Japan from 2005-2012, after which it was hosted by UAE in 2013 an Morocco in 2014.
According to new format with removal of quarter final and play-offs, replacing it with two round robin groups of three teams, consisting of two teams from the host nation and the champions of AFC, CAF, CONCACAF and OFC, with the group winners advancing to the semi-final to play the champions of CONMEBOL and UEFA.
Among the seven teams, the two clear favorites for the final are Barcelona and River Plate. The MSN trio (Messi, Suarez & Neymar) creates the most destructive force in the world and truly deserves the trophy after a treble this year by winning all the major trophies. Copa Libertadores champion River Plate will take a selection of South American stars like Javier Saviola, Rodrigo Mora, Lucho Gonzalez and goalkeeper, Marcelo Barovero.
Auckland City are returning to the FIFA Club World Cup for the seventh time after their remarkable run at the tournament in Morocco 2014. where they finished third. They are undoubtedly the dark horse of this tournament after their remarkable display from last year by winning the bronze medal at the big stage.
Star defender Mario Bilen and forward Ryan De Vries are confident enough to leave a big mark at the Club World Cup. Auckland City FC will be without club standouts Ivan Vicelich goalkeeper Tamati Williams when they begin their Club World Cup campaign against the Japanese host on 10 December in the play off for quarter final.
(Photo: Club America FB)
Club America meet AFC Champions League holders, Guangzhou Evergrande in the first quarter-final on 13 December. The CONCACAF has an impressive Mexican Internationals, such a Oribe Peralta, Moises Munoz and Paul Aguilar, along with USA defender Ventura Alvarado and Ecuador attacking midfielder, Michael Arroyo.
Meanwhile, the Asian champions, Guangzhou have an arsenal of China PR talent, including Zheng Zhi, Gao Lin and Zhang Linpeng. Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is also bringing some fellow Brazilians to Japan with Paulinho and Robinho both making the trip. Perhaps the jewel in the crown, however, is Brazilian striker Ricardo Goulart who was recently named AFC Foreign Player of the Year after finishing as the AFC Champions League top-scorer.
TP Mazembe, Africa’s reigning champion, will square off in the other quarter-final against the winner of the play-off between the tournament host and Auckland City. The Congo DR side have players from around Africa, such as Cote d’Ivoire’s Roger Assale, Tanzania striker, Mbwana Samatta, Zambia midfielder, Rainford Kalaba and Congo DR goalkeeper, Robert Kidiaba.
Though the tournament from 10 December will be mixed with ups and downs from different confederations, UEFA Champions League holder Barcelona will surely show their sheer class on 17 December. Not to forget, that’s a highly motivated team with Ballon d’Or shortlisted contender Neymar and Messi, with their fellow team-mates like Suarez, Dani Alves and Gerrand Pique to name a few.
Now let’s have a look at the top 5 players to watch at this year’s FIFA Club World Cup: –
(Photo: Guangzhou Evergrande FB)
1) Ricardo Goulart – The 25 year old Brazilian sensation has been inspirational since he joined Guangzhou Evergrande in 2015 for 15 million euros transfer fee on a four year contract. He is a player with enough talent and with fierce shooting skills. While playing for Cruzeiro in a friendly against Major League Soccer (MSL) side Chivas USA, he scored a goal from his own half which was a reminiscent of a similar goal scored by Wayne Rooney and David Beckham. While in AFC Champions League, he was the top scorer of the tournament winning the Most Valuable Player and Foreign Player of the Year 2015. It will be exciting to watch him on the pitch in Japan 2015.
2) Ryan De Vries – The 24 year old star of Auckland City FC who also received an International called up for New Zealand this year will be a player to watch as he will strike for the team. He played a key role in last year’s Club World Cup for Auckland to win bronze medal. Ryan De Vries’ fairytale rise from Bentleigh to Auckland City FC reminds us of Jamie Vardy of Leicester City.
3) Carlos Andres Sanchez – If it comes to experience, then this Uruguayan is a key player to watch in Club World Cup The 31 year old attacking midfielder performed extremely well in Copa Libertadores 2015. With speed, explosive power and experience, this playmaker can shook any team with his displays.
4) Neymar Jr – One of the top contenders for Ballon d’Or. With amaing skills, speed and ball control, he was the key player for Barcelona to win the treble this year. It is not a surprise when he was nominated alongside his team mate Lionel Messi for the Ballon d’Or race. Currently, the on-form Brazilian also received La-Liga player of the month which surely boosted his confidence to light up the big stage this December.
5) Lionel Messi – One of the bet players in the world. The three times Ballon d’Or winner just came back from injury and displayed his sheer class during the El Classico. Messi has won everything this year and adding the FIFA Club World Cup to his showcase will be his next target.
Die hard fans across the world are keen to watch their stars play on 10 December and no matter which team reaches the final in Yokohama ten days later, there will be plenty of stars to dazzle those watching this prestigious tournament – Written by Raviraj Sinh Jethwa
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