PARIS: Chelsea will play either the winners of the Asian Champions League or Mexican side Monterrey in the semi-finals of December’s Club World Cup in Japan, after the draw for the tournament was made by FIFA yesterday. The identity of the team representing Asia in the annual intercontinental competition will not be known until the final of the Asian Champions League on November 10.
The other quarter-final will be contested by the champions of Africa and the winners of a play-off between Oceania champions Auckland City of New Zealand and the winners of Japan’s national football championship.
The Japanese top flight concludes on December 1, while four teams are in contention to win the African Champions League, with Sunshine Stars (Nigeria), Al Ahly (Egypt), TP Mazembe (DR Congo) and Esperance (Tunisia) all through to the semi-finals.
The victors in the second quarter-final will tackle South American champions Corinthians in the other last-four tie.
Chelsea qualified for the tournament by beating Bayern Munich on penalties in May’s UEFA Champions League final and Roberto di Matteo’s side will be seeking to succeed Barcelona as World Club champions.
“Japan was terribly affected on March 11 last year (by a tsunami and a nuclear disaster) and we’d already decided to return to Japan,” said FIFA President Sepp Blatter told reporters.
“We’ve also organised the women’s Under-20 World Cup there. This will be the last time and I’m sure it’ll be a testament to the Japanese federation’s organisational qualities.” REUTERS
