Club America touch down in Osaka - FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP
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| FIFA.com |
Club America, winners of the 2016 CONCACAF Champions League, have touched down in Osaka ready to contest the FIFA Club World Cup Japan. This year’s edition will be the third time the Mexican outfit have taken part in the competition, having finished fourth in 2006 and fifth in 2015.
Las Aguilas (the Eagles) have settled into their team hotel and have began preparations for their opening game, in the tournament’s second match. There they will face Korea Republic's Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, winners of the AFC Champions League, in Osaka’s Suita City Football Stadium on Sunday 11 December.
Club America were crowned continental champions for the second year in a row back in April, after beating compatriots Tigres 2-0 away and 2-1 at home in the two-legged final. “We’re grateful to have the chance to take part in this tournament as the champions of our continent,” said coach Ricardo La Volpe on arrival in Japan.
“It’s a great opportunity to show our ability and strength, as well as to represent our country,” continued the Argentinian supremo. “We want to fully focus on winning Sunday’s match and making the step into the next round,” chipped in defender Paolo Goltz, in reference to last year’s elimination at this stage at the hands of China’s Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC.
“We want to pick up experience and put on good displays,” added La Volpe. “I’m very pleased to be here in Japan and I hope that the local fans get the chance to see the real Club América”.