Manchester United has arrived Japan on Monday to take on AFC champion Gamba Osaka on 18 December 2008 in Yokohama in the semi final of FIFA Club World Cup 2008. So, this is a match between European and Asian champions and there is no doubt, Manchester United is definitely favorite against the Japanese club. Gamba Osaka was the champion of AFC Champions League 2008 and thus qualified for the tournament. Manchester United, in the same way, got the ticket of this tournament thanks to their Champions League title of last season.
Match: Gamba Osaka vs Manchester United; Semi Final, FIFA Club World Cup 2008
Date: 18 December 2008, Thursday
Venue: Yokohama
Live TV: Fox Soccer Channel
Many people may think that this is a distracting tournament for the English champions as the tournament may take Manchester United’s focus away from premier league where they are currently at the third place with 32 points from 16 matches. However, the title of FIFA Club World Cup 2008 could lure the Manchester United players, considering the fact that no other English team could ever win this title. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is also desperate to win the Club World Cup title.
NDTV reported:
“This is a very difficult tournament, different from what we were used to last time, but hopefully we can handle it,” he said before United’s departure.
“It’s a good opportunity for us to get the team together in a serious competition because no British team has ever won it and it’s a big challenge to us.”“You only get there by invitation if you win the Champions League and that’s how prestigious it is for us. It’s a fantastic tournament to be involved in.”
Japanese club Gamba Osaka defeated Adelaide United 1-0 in the quarter final on Sunday and set up a semi final encounter with Manchester United. However, they lost their recent J League match away at Albirex Niigata 3-2. Interestingly, Manchester United could not win their recent premier league encounter too as they drew with Tottenham Hotspur. Manchester United goalkeeper Van der Sar has recently been handed a contract extension and veteran goalkeeper is now hoping to win the FIFA Club World Cup 2008 title with Manchester United.
manutd reported:
Van der Sar and his United colleagues have now switched their sights to world domination, and the Dutchman is keen to bring the Club World Cup trophy back to Manchester before Christmas.
“I won it with Ajax but that was just one game and now you play a semi-final as well, so it’s going to be different,” he said. “We’re there a little longer than normal, so we’ll do our best and hopefully bring another trophy home.”
Japanese club Gamba Osaka will try their best to win the match. In fact, they have nothing to lose against Manchester United. No doubt, they will play for a win, but even a loss despite an inspirational performance would not disappoint their fans. Manchester United, on the other hand, can not think of anything except a win. In fact, Manchester United is most favorite team in the tournament.
Online Live Score and Updates
The match will be telecast live on Fox Soccer Channel. However, if you can not manage your time to stick to your television set, then visit the following live score and update websites to get the live score and updates of the match:
Live Score
Goalzz
Live Football Scores
Goal.com
Footie Scorez
Manchester United has already had their sights on the tournament title. So, anything less than a victory would not satisfy them. Rather, they might look for a big margin victory. For Gamba Osaka, they will try to show their best against the European champions and they will have home advantage too. If Gamba Osaka can play at their best, then football fans can experience a hard-fought match.
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