Draw for Japan 2015 conducted in Zurich - FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP
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| CopyHardNews / Reprodução |
The path to global glory became a little clearer on Wednesday 23 September when the official draw for the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2015 took place at the Home of FIFA in Zurich in the presence of FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter.
"It gives me great pleasure to be at this draw,” said the FIFA President. “To bring the best football clubs in the world together is a great achievement. The basis of our game is the clubs. Club football is part of football, and therefore of FIFA, so it was important for us to organise this tournament. With the stars we have on the pitch, I'm sure that it will be a wonderful event in Japan.”
While it was already known that River Plate and FC Barcelona would play their semi-finals in Osaka and Yokohama respectively, we now know which continental champions they are likely to face.
Should Club America defeat the champions of Asia in Osaka on Sunday 13 December, then they will set up a semi-final showdown against Barça four days later.
The results of today's draw, made by FIFA Director of Competitions Colin Smith, means that Auckland City, the winners of the J. League, or the champions of Africa are in contention to face River Plate on Wednesday 16 December.
The final of the FIFA Club World Cup takes place at the International Stadium in Yokohama on Sunday 20 December.
Quarter-final clashes revealed
Although Club America know the continent from where their quarter-final opponents are based, the team will only be confirmed following the conclusion of the AFC Champions League final on 21 November.
Tournament veterans, Auckland City meet the J. League champions in the Opening Match in Yokohama on 10 December. However, if the AFC Champions League winner is a Japanese club, then the Oceanian champions will meet the AFC Champions League runners-up.
And with just 78 days to go, excitement is building, particularly in the Host Country.
“The FIFA Club World Cup is coming back to Japan three years after we last hosted it,” said JFA President Kuniya Daini. “It’s a great honour for us to host it again and we are all very excited, especially the fans. Obviously we have hosted it many times so far and the football family in Japan have learned a lot from these prestigious experiences. We will do our best to prepare and make sure that the fans, players and officials enjoy the tournament and their time in Japan.”
Draw results
Quarter-finals
Club America-AFC Champions League winners
CAF Champions League winners - Auckland City OR J.League Champions
Semi-finals
FC Barcelona - Club America OR AFC Champions League winners
Auckland City/J.League Champions OR CAF Champions League winners - River Plate