We're here at the Etoile du Sahel vs Urawa Reds 3rd/4th place playoff match, and the Urawa fans, although present in smaller numbers, are in good voice. It's 2-2 in an exciting game right now, but what we're all curious about is what the support will be like for the final.

As it is, there's large sections of empty seats for this game, because the Boca vs Milan final is the real attraction.

In the previous Urawa match, we asked the question about whether the "neutral" Japanese fans would support Urawa or go for the glamour of Milan, and as it turned out they were mostly there for the spectacle of the Italians. About 70% of the stadium were AC Milan "fans"/ neutrals, but not having any vested interests, they lacked the passion of the Urawa fans and made little or no noise (other than when Seedorf scored, and when somebody did a trick).

Tonight's equation is much more complicated, particularly because of two factors:
1. Boca have quite a following here for two reasons. Firstly, popular Japan striker Naohiro Takahara spent sometime there in the early noughties, and Boca have always been well regarded for that. Secondly, Boca are a team with a very successful Copa Libertadores history, and so they've made several visits to Tokyo already for the Club World Cup's predecessor, the Intercontintenal Cup, which they won in 2000 and 2003.

2. There is a combined ticket for both matches. So you have the small pocket of Etoile du Sahel fans, the few thousand well organised Urawa fans, the surprisingly sizeable contingent of travelling Bocense, the few Italians that could be bothered to make the trip/holiday, and of course the sea of unsure, easily impressed "neutral" Japanese fans that must still be furiously pondering whether to support Milan or Boca.

We know that Boca are equally as, if not more popular than Milan, so the neutrals here will be split on that (as opposed to last year, when the relatively unknown, starless Internacional played Barcelona and their midfield marketing maestro Ronaldinho).

We know that there aren't enough Etoile fans to make a difference to the overall support.

The Boca fans are a noisy, dancing bunch, who are concentrated into one section of the ground, right next to a bank of Urawa fans. They will be creating a lot of energy, but the eventual decision on what the atmosphere is like will come down to the Urawa fans, who could easily drown out the rest of the stadium.

They will be in good spirits (Urawa just beat Etoile on penalties), but it's unlikely that they'll keep singing Urawa songs. So the question is, will they just let the passion fade away and join the ranks of casual fans in polite applause and general silence? Or will they pick a side and really make this final feel like a football match of some worth?

It's difficult to predict. They seemed to be irritated during this match by the Boca fans, who just kept singing their Boca songs throughout the game, so they might go against Boca. But then again, football fans also just love to be football fans, and they just join the Bocense in their revelry.

Milan were also the ones who beat Urawa in that tight encounter, so they might just decide that's a good enough reason to ally with Boca. But as MikeTuckerman pointed out to me, they might even prefer to support a Milan victory, because they could then say "We lost to the eventual Champions".

Lots of different theories there, but that's football fan psychology for you.

Either way, we can't wait to find out what it's like for the second match, and any fan with a bit of sense will try and be as lively as possible outside, because it's f**king freezing here.

En una entrevista al Diário Ole de Argentina (que nada tiene que ver con nuestra comunidad Ole Ole), el entrenador  Argentino disparó: “Los jugadores de Milan son buenos pero míos son los mejores”.

Creo que independiente de qual equipo tiene los mejores jugadores DT Miguel Russo perdió una gran chance de mantener su boca cerrada. Estoy seguro que esa afirmación será usada por el DT de Milan para motivar sus atletas.

Hablando de Carlo Ancelotti, ello preferiu un discuro más político, sin controversias en su entrevista al periódico italiano Correo Dello Sport. Ancelotti reconoceu que el equipo de Boca tiene un buen mix de joventud y experiencia aun que no possui la misma experiencia del equipo de 2003 que venció a Milan en la ultima vez que los dos equipos jugaram en el Mundial.

Ancelotti también recuerdó el facto de que los equipos sudamericanos tratán esa competitión com mucha mas seriedad que los equipos europeus pero que Milan no tiene la intención de cometer los mismos errores que Liverpool (perdió para São Paulo FC en 2005) o Barcelona (perdió para Internacional de Porto Alegre en 2006).

La bataglia de las palavras ya empezó. Quien ganará la guerra?

Russo está seguro que su equipo ganará la Copa

Ancelotti: no vamos sustimar a nadie, jugaremos al maximo

In a interview to Diario Ole from Argentina (which has no connections whatsoever with our Ole Ole community), Argentine coach shot this one:  “Los jugadores de Milan son buenos pero míos son los mejores” (Milan players are good but mine are the best).

I guess independently of which team has the best players coach Miguel Russo just passed on a great chance to keep his mouth shut. I'm sure his statement will be used in the pre-game lecture by Milan's coach to boost his team's motivation.

By the way, coach Carlo Ancelotti preffered to use a more political, less controversial, speech on his interview to the italian newspaper Corriere Dello Sport. Ancelotti pointed out that Boca has a great mix of youth and experience even though it's not the same experience of the 2003 team who beat Milan the last time both teams played for the Intercontinental Toyota Cup.

Ancellotti also remembered the fact that this competition usually ia taken a lot more seriously by the South American teams but Milan doesn't want to make the same mistakes as Liverpool (beaten by São Paulo in 2005) and Barcelona (beaten by Internacional in 2006).

The battle of words has started. Who will win the war?

Boca Junior's coach is confident his team will be the winners

Ancelotti: We are foccused and motivated

Em uma entrevista ao Diário Ole da Argentina (que nada tem haver com nossa comunidade Ole Ole), o técnico Argentino disparou: “Los jugadores de Milan son buenos pero míos son los mejores” (os jogadores do Milan são bons mas os meus são os melhores).

Acho que independente de qual equipe tem os melhores jogadores o técnico Miguel Russo perdeu uma ótima oportunidade de ficar calado. Essa frase tenho certeza vai ser usada no preleção do técnico Milanês para motivar seus atletas.

Por falar em Carlo Ancelotti, este prefiriu um discurso mais político, menos controverso, na entrevista que deu ao jornal italianao Corriere Dello Sport. Ancelotti ressaltou que a equipe do Boca tem uma ótima mistura de juventude e experiência apesar de não contar com a mesma experiência da equipe de 2003 que derrotou o Milan na última vez que as duas equipes se enfrentaram pelo Mundial Interclubes.

Ancellotti também lembrou o fato dessa competição geralmente ser muito mais levada a sério pelas equipes sulamericanas mas que o Milan não pretende repetir os erros do Liverpool (derrotado pelo São Paulo em 2005) nem do Barcelona (derrotado pelo Inter em 2006).

A batalha de discursos dos técnicos já começou. Quem sairá vencedor nessa guerra?

Miguel Russo está certo que sua equipe sairá vencedora 

Carlo Ancelotti quer dar o título que o Milan não conseguiu ganhar em 2003

It's an odd thing. On the one hand FIFA are desperately trying to legitimise both the idea and appearance of the Club World Cup, a tournament that no one really seems to take seriously outside of South America; and on the other hand, they continue to act like silly, pedantic bureaucrats when they don't have to.

The reference in this case, is to the situation of Juan Roman Riquelme, Argentine midfield maestro, and arguably one of the world's best players. Riquelme was instrumental in Boca winning the Copa Libertadores, on loan from Villareal.

Now it was never Riquelme's intention to return to Villareal, and it was never Villareal's intention to keep him, and statements from Boca and the player made it clear that his future was at La Bombonera.

The eventual transfer, when it took place, was a long, drawn-out wrangle which was unfortunately just a few days after FIFA's "deadline" for squad registration for this tournament.

Now you can understand something like that happening for the Champions League, where it's an important competitive tournament, and there are scores of clubs. But the Club World Cup is essentially supposed to be an exhibition of world football, so why not allow Boca to exhibit the world's best?

Considering that some teams only qualify for this tournament a few weeks before FIFA's registration deadline passes, and that some teams sign players just to play in this tournament (Sydney FC with Kazu Miura, Auckland FC with Teru Iwamoto), it really is bizarre that FIFA didn't make some sort of exception to allow Boca to play Riquelme. After all, he was so instrumental in leading them to the Libertadores title.

It's a lose-lose situation for everyone, except, I suppose, Milan... although that's just a maybe - great players love to play against other greats.

The Japanese public would have been much more inovlved. The marketing opportunities would have increased. There would have been more worldwide TV and news coverage. More Argentines would care (Boca might be playing, but Riquelme is an idol all over his country, not just for his club), and more football fans in general. Merchandise, revenue, blah blah blah. Considering that FIFA are usually such greedy, money-hungry, profit-oriented fusspots, it really doesn't make any sense.

And speaking of sense, specifically common sense, FIFA could do with some soon. They allowed Milan to replace the inured Ronaldo with Giuseppe Favalli a few days ago, even though Ronaldo has been unfit for ages, and only had a very slim chance of playing in the first place. Perhaps a Boca player could have got injured?

Si, ganó. Y eso es lo más importante. Pero hay que decir que la equipe tunecina de Etoile du Sahel jugó muy bien y en muchos momientos mejor que Boca.  

Rodrigo Palacio fué el responsável por la jugada que originó el gol de Neri Cardozo pero no jugó bien. No tuve espacios en la defense tunecina y lo mismo se pasó com Palermo.  

 Neri celebra su gol  

Para Cardozo el equipo de Tunisia  luchó por todas las jugadas y jugó bien y por eso no fué fácil pero lo más importante fué la victoria en el final y él se quedo muy feliz por ter anotado el gol decisivo.  

La verdad es que Boca cometió unos de los errors que también lo cometió Pachuca: substmarán la equipe tunecina.  

 El experiente Ibarra ahora solo piensa en lá final. “Eso partido fué muy difícil y estoy muy feliz que ganamos y ahora vamos intentar manter la tradición de sucesso aqui en japón y ojalá ganaremos más un título mudial para Boca.”  

Para el equipo de Etoile du Sahel la impression es que después del nervosismo del primero partido el equipo puede mostrar contra Boca su talento (y también fraquezas).  

Es un equipo que tiene jovenes que possuem habilidad y que conduzem bien la pelota. La marcación es cerrada y dura pero tienen que trabajar major la pelota en la creación de las jugadas y, seguro que hay que finalizar mejor. Lo que importa en fúbol es hacer más goles que su oponente.   

Ahora tienen la increible oportunidad de tornarse el tercero mejor equipo del planeta. Y para eso hay que contra también com la ayuda divina corforme me dijo el mediocampista Moussa Narry. “Nosotros jugamos muy bien en este partido pero futbol es el juego de las oportunidads, las tuvimos pero no hicimos los goles Boca hizo y as vezes ese es lo deseo de Dios. Y ahora tambiém estará en las manos de Dios esa decision de llegarmos a  la victoria en el proximo partido. Nosotros vamos hacer todo para ganar para es siempre una decision divina.”  

Es una buena manera de pensar pero hay que marcar los goles porque creo que Dios no vas surgir en la cancha y poner la pelota adentro de las redes.    

Yo soy Mano Gil, escribindo directamente de Tokyo, com exclusividad para Ole Ole.

Dewa mata suguni ne!!!

     Boca conta com a experiencia de Palermo para chegar a sua 4a. final intercontinental 

Tudo parace estar calmo pelos lados do Boca Juniors aqui no Japão.

A equipe Argentina está confiante e motivada para vencer o jogo contra supresa Tunisiana do Etoile du Sahel e chegar à final da Copa do Mundo de Clubes da FIFA.

De acordo com o assessor de imprensa da equipe, o time se encontra totalmente concentrado neste jogo mas já com a final em mente.

Em nossa conversa por telefone apenas alguns minutos atrás ele me contou que o Boca vai passo a passo para ganhar o título.

Ele também revelou o sentimento da euqipe quanto a ausência de Riquelme. "O Juan (Román Riquelme) foi crucial para a conquista da Copa Libertadores mas desde que ele saiu nós aprendemos a jogar sem ele. Esta equipe conta com muitos grandes jovens talentos e também com jogadores experientes que estão muito determinados a ganhar esse título." 

Ainda de acorod com a Assessoria de Imprensa do Boca, a equipe está preprarada para não cometer os mesmos erros que o Pachuca cometeu contra o Etoile du Sahel. "Nós assisitimos a partida deles e estudamos a melhor maneira de furar o esquema defensivo que eles armam. Nós respeitamos a equipe tunisiana mas temos que pressionar desde o início para impormos nosso futebol."

Se o Boca alcançar o sucesso esperado na partida de hoje à noite será a primeira vez que a equipe argentina chega à final do Mundial de Clubes nesse formato da FIFA mas ao mesmo tempo será a quarta vez que o time disputa uma final intercontinental. Nas outras 3 oportunidades que chegou ã decisão o Boca ganhou todas.

Um bom sinal para os fãs! 

Qual será o placar do jogo de hoje? Na minha opinião o Boca vence por 3 x 0.  

Eu sou o  Mano Gil, escrevendo diretamente de Tóquio, com exclusividade para o Ole Ole.    

Dewa mata suguni ne!!!

   Boca cuenta con la experiencia de Palermo para llegar a su 4a. Final Intercontinental 

Todo parece tranquilo con Boca aquí en Japón.

El equipo Argentino está confiante y motivado para ganr el partido contra la sorpresa tunecina de Etoile du Sahel y lograr un sitio en la final de la Copa Mundial de Clubes de la FIFA.

Conforme su Assessor de la Prensa, el equipo se encuentra muy concentrado en neste primero partido pero con el objetivo fijo en la final. 

Él tanbiém me dijo on teléfono unos minutitos atrás que Boca siempre camina un paso de cada vez para ganar el título.

Tambiém me reveló cerca del sentimiento del equipo por la ausencia de Riquelme. “Juan (Roman Riquelme) fué fundamental para ganarmos la Copa Libertadores pero desde que se fué el equipo aprendió a jugar sin él. El equipo tienes muchos talentos jovenes y jugadores más experientes y todos están determinados para buscar el título."

Aún conforme con la Assessoria de la Prensa de Boca Juniors, el equipo está listo para que no cometas los mismos errores que Pachuca cometió contra Etoile du Sahel. “Nosostros estudiamos el partido de Pachuca e Etoile y intentaremos romper la estrategia defensiva de ellos. Nosostros respectamos al equipo de Etoile du Sahel porque llegaram hasta acá por sus proprios meritos pero vamos presionar la defensa de ellos para hacer prevalecer nuestro estilo de jugar".

Se Boca alcanzar el sucesso que desean en el partido esta noche llegarán a su primera final de la copa en neste formato de FIFA per será la 4a. Final Intercontinental para el equipo. En las otras 3 oportunidads Boca ganó todas. 

Bueno para los aficionados! 

Cual es tuya predicción para el partido de hoy? La mya es que Boca ganará por 3 x 0.  

Yo soy Mano Gil, escribindo diretamiente de Tokyo, con exclusividad para Ole Ole.    

Dewa mata suguni ne!!!

     Boca counts on Palermo experience to lead them to their 4th Intercontinental Finals 

It seems that everything is calm on Boca’s side here in Japan.

The Argie team is confident and motivated to win the game against the Tunisian surprise of Etoile du Sahel and move on to the finals of the FIFA Club World Cup.  

According to the media representative for Boca, the team is totally focused on this first game and aiming for the finals.

He told me on the phone just a few minutes ago that Boca will go one step at a time to win the title.  

He also revealed the team’s feelings about Riquelme’s absence. “Juan (Roman Riquelme) was crucial for the team to win the Copa Libertadores but since he left the team learned how to play without him. The team is full of great young talents and experienced players who are all very determined to win this title.” 

Still according to Boca’s media representative, the team is prepared to avoid the same mistakes that Pachuca made against Etoile du Sahel. “We watched that game and we studied the best way to break their defensive strategy. We respect Etoile du Sahel because they made it to this round by their own merits but we need to start the game putting pressure on them, to make our game prevail”. 

If Boca achieves the expected success in the game tonight it will be their first final in this FIFA format of the World Club Cup but it will be Boca’s 4^th Intercontinental Final. All the other 3 times Boca made to the finals they won.

A good sign for the fans! 

What is your prediction for tonight’s game? Mine is Boca wins 3 x 0.  

I’m Mano Gil, writing directly from Tokyo, exclusively for Ole Ole.    

Dewa mata suguni ne!!!

First off, congratulations to our two winners - manogil and MikeTuckerman. It was a hard-fought contest, and a very difficult one to decide, but these two came out on top at the end.

I'd also like to offer congratulations to the others on the shortlist - carlaprat, Fedro, genesio, Haroldotuna, lempira, Lizzy, LucasDL and Lucastro. You all did a fantastic job, and we hope you will continue to participate in our future contests.

It's amazing to have this community of such talented people from so many different countries - football, it seems, really does bring the world together!

We at OleOle are extremely proud of what you guys came up with, and I'd once again like to thank all the contestants for their contribution . Please stay tuned to this blog for all the coverage we bring back from the 2007 FIFA Club World Cup.

The match schedule is as follows:

07.12.07 - Sepahan (Iran) v Waitakere United (New Zealand) - Playoff

09.12.07 - Étoile du Sahel (Tunisia) v Pachuca (Mexico) - Quarterfinal 1
10.12.07 - Sepahan/Waitakere v Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) - Quarterfinal 2

12.12.07 - Winner of QF1 v Boca Juniors (Argentina) - Semifinal 1
13.12.07 - Winner of QF2 v AC Milan (Italy) - Semifinal 2

16.12.07 - Loser of SF1 v Loser of SF2 - Third Place Match
16.12.07 - Winner of SF1 v Winner of SF2 - Final