Real Madrid chase global domination

Barnaby Read 09:39 10/12/2014
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Real Madrid are heavy favourites to lift their first ever FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco.

    Much maligned for its status as an exhibition tournament designed at driving sales rather than delivering a high quality tournament that pits the world’s best teams against each other, the Club World Cup is generally looked at as an unwanted distraction rather than a premier club tournament.

    Andy West: Cristiano Ronaldo is the pride of the Bernabeu
    Western Sydney Wanderers in Club World Cup boycott row

    With that being said, the competition does allow some of the more forgotten nations from around the globe to pit their champions against football’s elite.

    Each team is there on merit and for the likes of first-time AFC Champions League winners Western Sydney Wanderers, the opportunity to take on their European counterparts Real Madrid marks a historic step forward in their two-year existence.

    Cristiano Ronaldo and his La Decima-winning team-mates will be the undoubted big draw at the tournament in Morocco. But look beyond the Bernabeu outfit and you will see some exciting talent on show that may just spring a surprise or two along the way.

    Here is Sport360’s club-by-club guide to the teams, and players, hoping to make their mark in Morocco.

    REAL MADRID (Spain, UEFA)

    How they got there: Arguably the biggest team on the planet heads to Morocco courtesy of their 10th European Cup triumph and will be obvious favourites. Fans will want to see Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez but Carlo Ancelotti may well tinker with his squad. With the likes of Isco, Asier Illaramendi and Jese waiting in the wings, they will be in for a treat no matter who the Italian tasks with bringing home the trophy.

    Star man: Cristiano Ronaldo – As mentioned, his appearance may be short. For a man who has 20 La Liga goals to his name already this season, that should be enough to make a pivotal impact for his team.

    Prediction: Winners

    Did you know: Despite winning almost everything else in club football, Madrid are yet to win a Club World Cup. They finished fourth in the inaugural tournament (their only other stint in the competition to date) after winning the Intercontinental Cup in 1998.

    SAN LORENZO (Argentina, CONMEBOL)

    How they got there: The Copa Libertadores winners head to the Club World Cup as South America’s premier outfit. After storming to Argentina’s Torneo Inicial title this year, however, they failed to meet expectations in the Torneo Final and ended up 11th, eventually losing the Super Championship final to River Plate. Los Santos boss Edgardo Bauza will be out aiming to put that disappointment behind him and lead his team to yet more glory.

    Star man: MARIO YEPES – The veteran Colombian will need to utilise all 38 of his years of experience if Lorenzo are to progress; if they can reach the final they are sure to face Real Madrid and Yepes will either shine in the spotlight or be found out by the athleticism of Madrid’s front line.

    Prediction: Runners-up

    Did you know: Pope Francis is a fan of San Lorenzo and held an audience with the Copa Libertadores winners earlier this year.

    CRUZ AZUL (Mexico, CONCACAF)

    How they got there: The CONCACAF Champions League victors, like Madrid, set a club and competition record with their sixth title last season. The Mexicans breezed through the 2013-14 edition, winning all four group games before eventually claiming the crown thanks to a 2-1 win over their domestic rivals Toluca. A disappointing season in Mexico’s first Championship – Torneo Apertura – followed and they will be hoping to resurrect their season with a strong display in front of the world’s gaze.

    Star man: JOAO ROJAS – The 25-year-old striker is powerful, quick and can finish. Alongside Mariano Pavone and ahead of Christian Giminez, Rojas makes up one of the most exciting front threes in North/Central America.

    Prediction: 3rd

    Did you know: Cruz Azul are the ninth oldest club in Mexico, having been founded in 1927, 26 years after the country’s first team, Pachuca.

    WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS (Australia, AFC)

    How they got there: It has been a remarkable story for the Wanderers, who were founded  as recently as April 2012, reaching – and losing – two A-League finals on the bounce since and claiming a historic AFC Champions League win by beating Saudi Arabian powerhouses Al Hilal. That match was one of the fiercest and most contentious in the competition’s history and the Australians won courtesy of a heroic performance from ‘keeper Ante Covic and some rather dubious refereeing. Known for their resilience, WSW will not go down without a fight and may be a dark horse in their first CWC.

    Star man: ANTE COVIC – The 39-year-old played a vital role in helping the Wanderers to the tournament in Morocco. He was superb throughout the Asian Champions League season but the shot-stopper saved his best form for the final. Covic will need to do it all over again if WSW are to spring a surprise.

    Prediction: 4th

    Did you know: Mark Bridge is Western Sydney Wanderers' top scorer in the club's two-year history with 20 goals.

    ES SETIF (Algeria, CAF)

    How they got there: Setif claimed their second CAF Champions League victory with an away goals’ win over Congolese side AS Vita Club in November. Setif will be one of the least fancied sides in the competition but the Algerians should relish the prospect of being an unknown entity in Morocco and will be looking to notch a couple of the biggest wins in their history in order to progress.

    Star man: AMINE MEGATELI – The versatile defender will have a real task on his hands. Not only charged with containing some menacing forwards, he will be required to offer support going forward, something he’s more than capable of doing from his natural berth at right-back. With two goals in his last three outings (at time of writing), Megateli is in the best form to do just that.

    Prediction: 5th

    Did you know: Es Setif were first named Entente Sportive Sétifienne (ESS) when created in 1958 and have undergone two further changes in name before settling once again on ES Setif. They were later called Entente Pétroliers Sétifienne (E.P.S) in 1977, and Entente Plastique Sétifienne (E.P.S) in 1984.

    MOGHREB TETOUAN (Morocco, HOSTS)

    How they got there: Quite simply by being hosts. Not that they’re to be sneered at; Moghreb are Moroccan champions, having won the Botola by just three points in 2013-14. Like a number of this year’s competitors, Moghreb have struggled since last season’s triumph and are currently fifth in their domestic league with three wins from 11 games. They will be relying on home support to make up for the gulf in ability.

    Star man: MOUHCINE IAJOUR – The first African to win the CWC Golden Boot, Iajour has previous in the competition. In 2013 his two goals helped Raja Casablanca to reach the final, where they were defeated by German giants Bayern Munich.

    Prediction: 6th

    Did you know: After Morocco gained independence, Tetouan split from Atletico Tetouan in 1956. Atletico played a season in Spain’s La Liga in 1951-52. The Spanish side became Club Atlético de Ceuta and then AD Ceuta but they folded in 2012.

    AUCKLAND CITY (New Zealand, OFC)

    How they got there: A fourth straight OFC Champions League title ensured Auckland’s sixth assault at the CWC. They have, however, lost each of their last four opening games and finished last in the tournament, never finishing higher than the fifth place they earned in 2009 when they beat Al Ahli in the UAE. A hostile home crowd will greet Auckland against Moghreb Tetouan in their quarter-final qualifier, a tricky test for the New Zealanders if they are to end their woeful CWC run.

    Star man: ANDREW MILNE – The Scottish-born Kiwi is a real talent and a move away from the islands beckons, especially if he can shine on the world stage. If he can fire alongside Emiliano Tade up top, Auckland could finally make their mark on the competition.

    Prediction: 7th

    Did you know: Auckland's fiercest rivals are cross-town team Waitakere United and their fixtures are known as the "Super City" derby.

    Recommended