Following a dramatic end to a league campaign that saw Kashima Antlers unexpectedly lift their fifth J-League crown, the season-ending Emperor's Cup has taken centre stage in Japan.
The 87th edition of Japan's oldest sporting competition has been whittled down to the last four from the more than 6000 teams that started, with J1 sides not surprisingly claiming all four semi-final spots.
In the first semi-final, Gamba Osaka will take on Sanfrecce Hiroshima at Ecopa Stadium in Fukuroi.
Gamba booked their place in the last four with a Fifth Round win over Oita Trinita, before they needed extra-time to see off a stubborn Shimizu S-Pulse in the quarter-finals.
Hiroshima were 2-0 winners over Jubilo Iwata in their Fifth Round tie, before beating FC Tokyo by the same scoreline in their quarter-final clash.
The other semi-final sees newly crowned J-League champions Kashima Antlers take on Kawasaki Frontale at the National Stadium in Tokyo.
Kashima have relied upon goals from wantaway striker Atsushi Yanagisawa to fire them into the last four of the Cup, after Yanagisawa struck deep into extra-time against both Ventforet Kofu and non-league outfit Honda FC, as Kashima struggled to book their place in the semi-finals.
By comparison Kawasaki Frontale have enjoyed a much easier run. They beat Vissel Kobe 3-0 in the Fifth Round, before barely breaking a sweat in registering a 2-0 win over J2 side Ehime FC in their quarter-final.
The final of the Emperor's Cup will take place at the National Stadium in Tokyo on January 1.
2008 Japan fixture list announced
The 2008 fixture list for the Japan national team has been announced, with the Blue Samurai set to embark upon qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
Japan kick-off the year with friendlies against Chile and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the National Stadium in January, before their World Cup campaign gets under way against Thailand at Saitama Stadium on February 6.
Japan will also participate in the East Asian Championship, which takes place every three years and which will be hosted by China in 2008. Japan will face DPR Korea, Korea Republic and hosts China at the tournament in late February.
Takeshi Okada names training squad
New Japan coach Takeshi Okada has named his first training squad since taking over from Ivica Osim.
There were no surprises, although Kashima Antlers duo Daiki Iwamasa and Yuzo Tashiro were handed their first call-up's, as were FC Tokyo defender Yuhei Tokunaga and Gamba Osaka youngster Michihiro Yasuda.
Okada told the press that he would also consider Europe-based trio Naohiro Takahara and Junichi Inamoto of Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Basel midfielder Koji Nakata for selection in 2008. Only Takahara and Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura featured regularly in the Japan side under Ivica Osim.
Meanwhile Osim has left the intensive care unit of a Chiba hospital, as he makes a recovery from the stroke that ended his reign as Japan coach in November.
Japanese Players Overseas
Naohiro Takahara and Junichi Inamoto: Eintracht Frankfurt
Former Boca Juniors striker Naohiro Takahara has endured an injury-plagued second season at Bundesliga side Eintract Frankfurt, starting just four of his eight league appearances. Takahara's only league goal this season came in a 5-1 thrashing away at 1.FC Nürnberg.
Meanwhile Junichi Inamoto has enjoyed a brighter spell in Frankfurt, starting eleven league games at the mid-table German side.
Shunsuke Nakamura : Celtic
Scottish Player Of The Year Shunsuke Nakamura has started just seven leagues for Glasgow giants Celtic, having also endured an injury-riddled season. Nakamura's last league start came in a 3-0 win over Motherwell back on October 27, with a knee injury potentially ruling Nakamura out of Celtic's upcoming UEFA Champions League tie with Barcelona.
Celtic have refuted claims that they will allow Nakamura to exercise a get-out clause in his contract and return to former club Yokohama F. Marinos in 2008.
Daisuke Matsui : Le Mans
Winger Daisuke Matsui is back in favour at French Ligue 1 side Le Mans, with new coach Rudi Garcia's side flying high in fifth place in Le Championnat. Matsui, who is on the wish-list of Italian Serie A side Genoa, has started fifteen league games for Le Mans this season, scoring twice.
Koji Nakata : FC Basel
Former Kashima Antlers midfielder Koji Nakata has featured in all of Swiss club FC Basel's league games this season, with Basel currently six points clear of rivals FC Zürich going in to the winter break.
Tsuneyasu Miyamoto and Alex : Salzburg
Ex-Gamba Osaka defender Tsuneyasu Miyamoto has started ten of Salzburg's league fixtures, most recently in Salzburg's top-of-the-table clash with Sturm Graz on December 15.
Meanwhile ex-Japan international Alex continues to be linked with a move back to the J-League, with former club Urawa Reds the most likely destination for the versatile player.
Copyright © Michael Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com
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Showing posts with label FIFA Club World Cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FIFA Club World Cup. Show all posts
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
AC Milan crowned FIFA Club World Cup champions
Italian giants AC Milan have won the 2007 FIFA Club World Cup following a comprehensive 4-2 drubbing of Boca Juniors at Yokohama International Stadium.
Veteran striker Filippo Inzaghi scored twice in front of more than 68,000 fans, but Brazilian midfielder Kaka was the star of the show, setting up two goals and scoring one himself on his way to receiving the Player Of The Tournament award.
It took Milan just twenty-one minutes to open the scoring when Kaka surged into the box. His first shot was blocked, but he drove the rebound across the face of goal for veteran Inzaghi to produce a typical poacher's finish.
Boca Juniors were level less than sixty seconds later, when Claudio Morel Rodriguez curled over a cross from the left-wing that was expertly nodded home by Rodrigo Palacio.
Despite the scores being locked at 1-1 at half-time Milan were always in control, and they retook the lead five minutes after the interval when defender Alessandro Nesta profited from a fortuitous bounce to lash home a volley from close range.
Kaka then scored the goal that his stellar display deserved, before teeing up Pippo Inzaghi for his second of the match. Boca scored a late consolation through a Massimo Ambrosini own goal, but it did little to dampen the celebrations as Milan became the first European team to lift the revamped FIFA Club World Cup trophy.
The victory avenged a penalty shoot-out defeat to Boca Juniors at the 2003 Toyota Cup in Tokyo, with Kaka telling reporters that winning the Club World Cup with Milan was a "dream come true."
Milan will now look to defend their UEFA Champions League title when that competition resumes next February.
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Veteran striker Filippo Inzaghi scored twice in front of more than 68,000 fans, but Brazilian midfielder Kaka was the star of the show, setting up two goals and scoring one himself on his way to receiving the Player Of The Tournament award.
It took Milan just twenty-one minutes to open the scoring when Kaka surged into the box. His first shot was blocked, but he drove the rebound across the face of goal for veteran Inzaghi to produce a typical poacher's finish.
Boca Juniors were level less than sixty seconds later, when Claudio Morel Rodriguez curled over a cross from the left-wing that was expertly nodded home by Rodrigo Palacio.
Despite the scores being locked at 1-1 at half-time Milan were always in control, and they retook the lead five minutes after the interval when defender Alessandro Nesta profited from a fortuitous bounce to lash home a volley from close range.
Kaka then scored the goal that his stellar display deserved, before teeing up Pippo Inzaghi for his second of the match. Boca scored a late consolation through a Massimo Ambrosini own goal, but it did little to dampen the celebrations as Milan became the first European team to lift the revamped FIFA Club World Cup trophy.
The victory avenged a penalty shoot-out defeat to Boca Juniors at the 2003 Toyota Cup in Tokyo, with Kaka telling reporters that winning the Club World Cup with Milan was a "dream come true."
Milan will now look to defend their UEFA Champions League title when that competition resumes next February.
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Thursday, December 13, 2007
AC Milan to meet Boca Juniors in FIFA Club World Cup Final
AC Milan had to work hard to overcome AFC Champions League winners Urawa Reds in their FIFA Club World Cup semi-final, eventually prevailing 1-0 thanks to Clarence Seedorf's late strike in front of 67,005 fans at Yokohama International Stadium.
The only goal of the match came from a quickly taken free-kick that saw Brazilian ace Kaka ghost passed Fabio Nene and cut the ball back to Seedorf from the byline, with the Dutch international making no mistake in side-footing passed Ryota Tsuzuki in the Urawa goal.
Carlo Ancelotti's game plan was clearly to occupy Urawa's marauding wing-back Takahito Soma with defensive duties, as Milan wingback Massimo Oddo turned the tables by running straight at Soma whenever the opportunity arose. Oddo's crossing was inaccurate, however, and striker Alberto Gilardino spurned the chances that did fall his way.
Milan looked far more dangerous following the introduction of veteran striker Filippo Inzaghi, and they eventually broke the deadlock in the sixty-eighth minute. The Reds could only conjure half chances, with striker Washington struggling to deal with the pace of Italian international defender Alessandro Nesta.
Substitute Nobuhisa Yamada made his long awaited return from injury, and the Urawa captain had arguably Urawa's best chance when Dida dived to save his powerful low drive late in the match.
Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti was naturally pleased to have qualified for the final of the FIFA Club World Cup, but warned the media that his team would face a far tougher test against Argentine giants Boca Juniors.
Holger Osieck was satisfied with his team's performance, and claimed that Urawa gave a good account of both themselves and of Japanese football. He stated that the Reds' next goal was to win the 3/4 playoff against Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel on December 16, and give striker Washington a rousing farewell before his departure for Brazilian club Fluminese.
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The only goal of the match came from a quickly taken free-kick that saw Brazilian ace Kaka ghost passed Fabio Nene and cut the ball back to Seedorf from the byline, with the Dutch international making no mistake in side-footing passed Ryota Tsuzuki in the Urawa goal.
Carlo Ancelotti's game plan was clearly to occupy Urawa's marauding wing-back Takahito Soma with defensive duties, as Milan wingback Massimo Oddo turned the tables by running straight at Soma whenever the opportunity arose. Oddo's crossing was inaccurate, however, and striker Alberto Gilardino spurned the chances that did fall his way.
Milan looked far more dangerous following the introduction of veteran striker Filippo Inzaghi, and they eventually broke the deadlock in the sixty-eighth minute. The Reds could only conjure half chances, with striker Washington struggling to deal with the pace of Italian international defender Alessandro Nesta.
Substitute Nobuhisa Yamada made his long awaited return from injury, and the Urawa captain had arguably Urawa's best chance when Dida dived to save his powerful low drive late in the match.
Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti was naturally pleased to have qualified for the final of the FIFA Club World Cup, but warned the media that his team would face a far tougher test against Argentine giants Boca Juniors.
Holger Osieck was satisfied with his team's performance, and claimed that Urawa gave a good account of both themselves and of Japanese football. He stated that the Reds' next goal was to win the 3/4 playoff against Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel on December 16, and give striker Washington a rousing farewell before his departure for Brazilian club Fluminese.
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Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Boca Juniors book their place in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup
Argentine giants Boca Juniors booked their place in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup, but they failed to turn on the style in their 1-0 win over Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel.
Midfielder Neri Cardozo scored the only goal before a crowd of 37,255 fans at the National Stadium in Tokyo, while midfielder Fabian Vargas was sent off for a second bookable offence with twenty-five minutes remaining.
Etoile started the match with significantly more attacking intent than in their 1-0 win over Mexican side Pachuca, with ex-Liverpool defender Gabriel Paletta looking shaky at the back for Boca.
Tunisian starlet Amine Chermiti was causing problems with his penetrating runs, but gradually Boca began to play their way into the match, and they opened the scoring after thirty-seven minutes when striker Rodrigo Palacio cut inside a defender and slid the ball to Neri Cardozo, who beat Etoile keeper Aymen Balbouli with an unstoppable left foot drive.
The second half was a tense affair and Boca's cause wasn't helped when midfielder Fabian Vargas received his marching orders from Danish referee Claus Bo Larsen. Etoile saw a golden opportunity to equalise in stoppage time go to waste when substitute Gilson Silva headed wide at the far post.
Boca will now meet the winner of tomorrow's semi-final between reigning European champions AC Milan and current Asian champions Urawa Reds, with a crowd of around 70,000 expected to descend upon Yokohama International Stadium to witness that clash.
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Midfielder Neri Cardozo scored the only goal before a crowd of 37,255 fans at the National Stadium in Tokyo, while midfielder Fabian Vargas was sent off for a second bookable offence with twenty-five minutes remaining.
Etoile started the match with significantly more attacking intent than in their 1-0 win over Mexican side Pachuca, with ex-Liverpool defender Gabriel Paletta looking shaky at the back for Boca.
Tunisian starlet Amine Chermiti was causing problems with his penetrating runs, but gradually Boca began to play their way into the match, and they opened the scoring after thirty-seven minutes when striker Rodrigo Palacio cut inside a defender and slid the ball to Neri Cardozo, who beat Etoile keeper Aymen Balbouli with an unstoppable left foot drive.
The second half was a tense affair and Boca's cause wasn't helped when midfielder Fabian Vargas received his marching orders from Danish referee Claus Bo Larsen. Etoile saw a golden opportunity to equalise in stoppage time go to waste when substitute Gilson Silva headed wide at the far post.
Boca will now meet the winner of tomorrow's semi-final between reigning European champions AC Milan and current Asian champions Urawa Reds, with a crowd of around 70,000 expected to descend upon Yokohama International Stadium to witness that clash.
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Monday, December 10, 2007
Urawa Reds v Sepahan
Urawa Reds defeated Sepahan in a rematch of their ACL final showdown, this time 3-1 in front of a partisan 30,000 crowd at Toyota Stadium.
On a crisp night in the suburbs of Nagoya, the result never looked in doubt once Yuichiro Nagai converted a low cross from the ever-dangerous Takahito Soma's low cross on the half hour mark.
Though the Iranian team twice hit the bar, once just after the interval, the visitors never looked likely winners.
Urawa's Brazilian marksman, Washington, converted from a narrow angle 10 minutes in to the second half and an own goal from Hadi Aghily effectively settled the outcome. Sepahan did register a consolation just before the end after a mistake by the hapless Marco Tulio Tanaka, but it is Urawa who will face AC Milan on Thursday in Tokyo.
Listen to the sounds of the small group of Iran supporters
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Sunday, December 9, 2007
Etoile du Sahel stun Pachuca at the FIFA Club World Cup
Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel stunned Mexican outfit Pachuca, beating their more fancied opponents 1-0 at the FIFA Club World Cup in Tokyo.
Just under 35,000 fans turned out at the National Stadium to witness CONCACAF representatives Pachuca dominate possession on a blustery afternoon in Tokyo, but Pachuca ended up on the wrong side of the scoresheet against their African opponents.
21-year-old Ghanian midfielder Moussa Narry scored the crucial goal in the 85th minute with a low drive that took a deflection off defender Leobardo Lopez and left Pachuca keeper Miguel Calero wrong-footed.
It was no less than Etoile deserved, with the Tunisian team absorbing constant bouts of Pachuca pressure before hitting their opponents with a classic sucker punch.
Etoile coach Bertrand Marchand praised his young side while admitting that Pachuca out-played his charges for long stretches of this match. Nevertheless Marchand admitted that his team was elated to have advanced to the semi-finals of the competition, where they will take on Argentine giants Boca Juniors at the National Stadium in Tokyo on December 12.
Pachuca coach Enrique Meza was happy with his team's performance, and claimed that the loss was "just one of those things."
Pachuca stars Damian Alvarez and Juan Carlos Cacho will have plenty to ponder on their long flight back to Mexico, on a day in which the highly rated duo failed to crack open a resolute Etoile defence.
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Just under 35,000 fans turned out at the National Stadium to witness CONCACAF representatives Pachuca dominate possession on a blustery afternoon in Tokyo, but Pachuca ended up on the wrong side of the scoresheet against their African opponents.
21-year-old Ghanian midfielder Moussa Narry scored the crucial goal in the 85th minute with a low drive that took a deflection off defender Leobardo Lopez and left Pachuca keeper Miguel Calero wrong-footed.
It was no less than Etoile deserved, with the Tunisian team absorbing constant bouts of Pachuca pressure before hitting their opponents with a classic sucker punch.
Etoile coach Bertrand Marchand praised his young side while admitting that Pachuca out-played his charges for long stretches of this match. Nevertheless Marchand admitted that his team was elated to have advanced to the semi-finals of the competition, where they will take on Argentine giants Boca Juniors at the National Stadium in Tokyo on December 12.
Pachuca coach Enrique Meza was happy with his team's performance, and claimed that the loss was "just one of those things."
Pachuca stars Damian Alvarez and Juan Carlos Cacho will have plenty to ponder on their long flight back to Mexico, on a day in which the highly rated duo failed to crack open a resolute Etoile defence.
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Saturday, December 8, 2007
FRIDAY NIGHTS AND THE GATES ARE LOW
On Friday 7th December the opening match of the FIFA World Club Championship was played between Waitakere United of New Zealand and Sepahan of Iran. In this the third tournament to be held in Japan FIFA decided to alter the format slightly in order to boost attendances. Having attended in 2005, I would agree with their idea of the league winners from the host nation competing, as surely all games they play would be sold out. So with the opening game moved back to a Friday I decided to alter my schedule in order to attend such a game.
In the meantime the winners of the six confederations were playing out their own cup competitions to decide who would be there in Japan. In the Asian Cup Urawa Red Diamonds beat Sepahan 3-1 to qualify in their own right. But then I realised that Sepahan had been awarded a place at the tournament as only one team from the host country were allowed to compete. At the time Urawa held a ten point league, with four games to go and so the decision seemed fair enough. Urawa though managed to lose the title on the last day of the season to Kashima Antlers and were also knocked out of the Emperor's Cup.
So as a result of Urawas success in the Asian Cup the opening fixture was decided. Bearing in mind that the purpose of this competition is to find the best club side in the world, casting an eye down the Waitakere line up, made me think that FIFA might be changing the format again in the very near future. Danny Hay, Neil Emblem and Darren Bazeley (remember any of them?) all started for the New Zealand side. Knowing nothing about this team I read up in the programme and found that they come from just outside Auckland, have a stadium with a capacity of 8,000 and their home town is shown as a field of sheep!
So it was no surprise that Sepahan raced into a 2-0 lead within three minutes. Their Iraqi striker Emar Mohammed finding himself on a hat trick with a full 86 minutes to go. The format of the competion means that the winners go on to play Urawa Red Diamonds in a quarter final and then if successful play again on Thursday and on Sunday. So it was no surprise that Sepahan slowed the pace down and conserved energy. The first half fizzled out with a series of wayward long range shots which were never going to test the goalkeeper. Or so I thought.
With the second half just a few minutes old another long range shot, but this time it was on target, the goalkeeper had it covered, in fact it was possibly going wide, until he let it through his hands and into the net. Not content with this, as Sepahan played out time Waitakere applied pressure and the Iranian goalkeeper (a paid up member of the goalkeepers union) decided to push the ball into his own net, under the slightest pressure from Danny Hay the Waitakere captain.
The crowd was 24,788 the lowest so far for an opening game. While FIFA is being idealistic in allowing a team from New Zealand to compete for this title I wonder how long it will take before a rankings system is put into place for clubs worldwide and the entrants to be decided from this. Meaning that you have the best in both footballing and in all probability financial terms.
Ross Clegg
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In the meantime the winners of the six confederations were playing out their own cup competitions to decide who would be there in Japan. In the Asian Cup Urawa Red Diamonds beat Sepahan 3-1 to qualify in their own right. But then I realised that Sepahan had been awarded a place at the tournament as only one team from the host country were allowed to compete. At the time Urawa held a ten point league, with four games to go and so the decision seemed fair enough. Urawa though managed to lose the title on the last day of the season to Kashima Antlers and were also knocked out of the Emperor's Cup.
So as a result of Urawas success in the Asian Cup the opening fixture was decided. Bearing in mind that the purpose of this competition is to find the best club side in the world, casting an eye down the Waitakere line up, made me think that FIFA might be changing the format again in the very near future. Danny Hay, Neil Emblem and Darren Bazeley (remember any of them?) all started for the New Zealand side. Knowing nothing about this team I read up in the programme and found that they come from just outside Auckland, have a stadium with a capacity of 8,000 and their home town is shown as a field of sheep!
So it was no surprise that Sepahan raced into a 2-0 lead within three minutes. Their Iraqi striker Emar Mohammed finding himself on a hat trick with a full 86 minutes to go. The format of the competion means that the winners go on to play Urawa Red Diamonds in a quarter final and then if successful play again on Thursday and on Sunday. So it was no surprise that Sepahan slowed the pace down and conserved energy. The first half fizzled out with a series of wayward long range shots which were never going to test the goalkeeper. Or so I thought.
With the second half just a few minutes old another long range shot, but this time it was on target, the goalkeeper had it covered, in fact it was possibly going wide, until he let it through his hands and into the net. Not content with this, as Sepahan played out time Waitakere applied pressure and the Iranian goalkeeper (a paid up member of the goalkeepers union) decided to push the ball into his own net, under the slightest pressure from Danny Hay the Waitakere captain.
The crowd was 24,788 the lowest so far for an opening game. While FIFA is being idealistic in allowing a team from New Zealand to compete for this title I wonder how long it will take before a rankings system is put into place for clubs worldwide and the entrants to be decided from this. Meaning that you have the best in both footballing and in all probability financial terms.
Ross Clegg
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Friday, December 7, 2007
Sepahan advance to the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-finals
Iranian side Sepahan beat New Zealand outfit Waitakere United 3-1 to advance to the quarter-finals of the 2007 FIFA Club World Cup.
Iraq-born striker Emad Mohammed got Sepahan off to a dream start, scoring twice inside the opening four minutes to set up a comfortable win for the Iranians.
Sepahan were recently defeated in the 2007 AFC Champions League Final by J-League side Urawa Reds, but their win here sets up a rematch with Urawa just a month after the west Asian team lost to the Reds in their continental decider.
Sepahan made light work of semi-professionals Waitakere, with Emad Mohammed heading home the opener after Waitakere goalkeeper Simon Eaddy could only parry Jaba Mujiri's shot.
Sixty seconds later Mohammed produced a neat finish to flick the ball passed Eaddy with the Waitakere defence caught square, although there was a suspicion of handball in the build-up to the goal.
After totally dominating the first half the onslaught continued immediately after the restart, as forty-nine minutes in Sepahan midfielder Abdul Abu Al Hail hit an innocuous looking drive that was fumbled into the net by the hapless Eaddy.
With the majority of the 25,000 strong crowd voicing their support for underdogs Waitakere, the New Zealand side managed to pull a goal back after seventy-four minutes, with ex-Leeds United defender Danny Hay causing confusion inside the six yard box, although the goal was later credited as an own-goal by defender Hadi Aghily.
Waitakere produced their best spell in the final ten minutes of the match, but Sepahan managed to hang on to book a showdown with Urawa at Toyota Stadium on December 10.
After the match Waitakere coach Chris Milicich blasted his side for their poor defending, conceding that "stupid goals" had cost his team dearly.
Sepahan coach Luka Bonacic claimed that his side was looking forward to their rematch with Urawa, a team that Bonacic claimed to respect, but one that the Croatian feels is vulnerable after Urawa recently reliquished both their Emperor's Cup and J-League crowns within the space of a week.
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Iraq-born striker Emad Mohammed got Sepahan off to a dream start, scoring twice inside the opening four minutes to set up a comfortable win for the Iranians.
Sepahan were recently defeated in the 2007 AFC Champions League Final by J-League side Urawa Reds, but their win here sets up a rematch with Urawa just a month after the west Asian team lost to the Reds in their continental decider.
Sepahan made light work of semi-professionals Waitakere, with Emad Mohammed heading home the opener after Waitakere goalkeeper Simon Eaddy could only parry Jaba Mujiri's shot.
Sixty seconds later Mohammed produced a neat finish to flick the ball passed Eaddy with the Waitakere defence caught square, although there was a suspicion of handball in the build-up to the goal.
After totally dominating the first half the onslaught continued immediately after the restart, as forty-nine minutes in Sepahan midfielder Abdul Abu Al Hail hit an innocuous looking drive that was fumbled into the net by the hapless Eaddy.
With the majority of the 25,000 strong crowd voicing their support for underdogs Waitakere, the New Zealand side managed to pull a goal back after seventy-four minutes, with ex-Leeds United defender Danny Hay causing confusion inside the six yard box, although the goal was later credited as an own-goal by defender Hadi Aghily.
Waitakere produced their best spell in the final ten minutes of the match, but Sepahan managed to hang on to book a showdown with Urawa at Toyota Stadium on December 10.
After the match Waitakere coach Chris Milicich blasted his side for their poor defending, conceding that "stupid goals" had cost his team dearly.
Sepahan coach Luka Bonacic claimed that his side was looking forward to their rematch with Urawa, a team that Bonacic claimed to respect, but one that the Croatian feels is vulnerable after Urawa recently reliquished both their Emperor's Cup and J-League crowns within the space of a week.
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Saturday, December 1, 2007
Kashima Antlers the unlikeliest of champions
Kashima Antlers are the unlikeliest of J-League champions.
On a day of drama in Japan, Kashima beat Shimizu S-Pulse 3-0 in front of 31,384 fans at Kashima Stadium on December 1.
With referee Yuichi Nishimura blowing full-time at Kashima Stadium, the video screen switched to a live broadcast from Yokohama, and desperate Antlers fans watched in amazement as bottom-placed Yokohama FC clung on to beat Urawa Reds 1-0 in front 46,697 fans at Nissan Stadium.
Urawa's shock loss propelled Kashima to their fifth J-League crown - but first since 2001, and sparked wild celebrations inside Kashima Stadium.
The win was savoured by Kashima's Brazilian coach Oswaldo de Oliveira, who had come under heavy criticism for his team's poor start to the season. De Oliveira paid tribute to midfielder Mitsuo Ogasawara, whose return from Serie A side Messina during the summer break rejuvenated the Antlers.
The win capped a remarkable run for Kashima, who won their last nine league matches in a row, including a pivotal 1-0 win over Urawa Reds in front of 62,123 fans at Saitama Stadium in the penultimate round of matches.
Throughout the season Kashima never once lead in the league, but the Ibaraki giants were sitting atop the table when it mattered most.
After seeing off the challenge of Gamba Osaka, Urawa looked certain to wrap up back-to-back J-League crowns. However a disastrous run of late season form, which saw them pick up just three points from their final five matches, put paid to the hopes of the Saitama side.
The loss brought to an end to a miserable week for Urawa, who entered the Emperor's Cup as defending champions but who were swiftly knocked out by J2 side Ehime FC on November 28. The Reds must now regroup for the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan, where they will face either Sepahan of Iran or New Zealand side Waitakere United in their opening match.
Meanwhile in the north of Japan, Consadole Sapporo capped a thrilling J2 season by winning the league thanks to a 2-1 win over Mito Hollyhock in front of 28,090 fans at the Sapporo Dome. Tokyo Verdy finished second after they drew 2-2 away at Cerezo Osaka, whilst Kyoto Sanga FC will play J1 side Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the promotion/relegation playoff, the first leg of which kicks off at Nishikyogoku Stadium in Kyoto on December 5.
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