By Andrew Warshaw
December 11 – Almost unnoticed in the aftermath of the World Cup draw in Brazil, FIFA’s Club World Cup competition was getting under way in Morocco today – finally presenting the north African country with their own international tournament.
Raja Casablanca plays Auckland City in the opening game of the seven-club event in Agadir, with the final slated for December 21 in Marrakech.
Launched in 2005 as a replacement for the old Intercontinental Cup between the best club team in Europe and South America that was played annually in Tokyo, the Club World Cup features the champions of each continent and finally puts Morocco in the footballing spotlight after no fewer than four failed World Cup bids.
FIFA has done its best to promote a somewhat quirky tournament that is still growing in stature with participants, this year, ranging from part-timers Auckland City of New Zealand to Europe’s all-conquering Bayern Munich.
South America’s challenge comes from Atletico Mineiro, Monterrey represents CONCACAF, hoping to become the first Mexican team to win the event, while Italy’s World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi leads Asian champions Guangzhou Evergrande, the first Chinese side ever to take part, in the tournament.
Africa, hosting for the first time, is represented by Egypt’s Ah Ahli as well as Raja Casablanca as the host nation’s representative.
FIFA will hope that the event provides decent competition and showcases the sport outside Europe and South America whose joint stranglehold on the trophy is likely to be tightened with Bayern hotly favoured to bring it back to Europe after Corinthians beat Chelsea in the final last year in Japan.
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