December 16 – Moroccan champions Raja Casablanca have struck a mighty blow for the north African hosts by reaching Wednesday’s semifinal of the Club World Cup with another dramatic victory, this time 2-1 over Concacaf’s Monterrey of Mexico.
Raja will play Copa Libertadores winners, Atletico Mineiro, in the last four after Ivorian midfielder Kouko Guehi struck five minutes into the first period of extra time after the 90 minutes ended 1-1.
Raja had also left it late in their opening match of tournament when they needed a stoppage time winner to edge past outsiders Auckland City by the same score.
The other semi-final pits Asian champions Guangzhou, coached by Italy’s 2006 World Cup winner Marcello Lippi, against tournament favourites Bayern Munich after the Chinese club knocked out Africa’s Al-Ahly 2-0.
“If we played Bayern 100 times, they would win 99 of those meetings but we might win the other one. That has always been my philosophy,” said Lippi.
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