Australia
USA
Latest News
Monday, 19th December 2011
In Japan Sports News, Sports,
Japan 2011 World Club Cup a success as Barcelona crowned champions
The Japan 2011 FIFA World Club Cup came to a close yesterday (December 18th), with the European champions Barcelona thoroughly beating the South American champions Santos 4-0 to add the world championship to their European crown.
In front of 68,000 spectators, the Catalan club dominated the Brazilian team from kick-off, with Argentinean superstar Lionel Messi scoring two goals and Spaniards Xavi and Cesc Fabregas scoring a goal apiece at the Nissan International Stadium in Yokohama.
Brazilian wonderkid Neymar could only watch as his club were subject to a rout by Barca, a team many believe are the greatest ever footballing side.
The prestigious footballing spectacle, which sees the continental champions from across the globe compete against each other to be crowned the FIFA World Club Cup Champions, is due to be held in Japan again next year.
Morocco will host the tournament in 2013 and 2014.
Following the hugely successful year in Japan, which saw huge crowds turn out to see the teams compete, the head of the Football Association in Japan has said that the nation would like to host the showpiece competition again in 2015 and 2016, AFP reported.
Speaking to media after Barcelona were crowned champions, president of the Japanese Football Association, Junji Ogura, said: "More than 300,000 people attended this year's tournament. It attracted 200,000 people to the UAE last year," the news agency quoted.
"I want to work hard to help bring the event back to Japan. l want to let people in Japan see how the world's top clubs are."
Following its successful co-hosting of the 2002 World Cup, the Land of the Rising Sun was home to the World Club Cup tournament between 2005 and 2008 before the United Arab Emirates took over as host.
Japan will be formally confirmed as the hosts for the 2012 Under-20 FIFA Women's World Cup after it was moved from Uzbekistan because of "logistical and technical" issues, the news agency said.
Written by Kimberley Homer
Inside Japan UK office
Inside Japan US office
Inside Japan Australia office
Inside Japan - Japan office
