Match Report: Thursday 14/12/2006 19:20 (Japanese time), FIFA Club World Cup, Semifinal
FC BARCELONA - CLUB AMERICA 4:0 (2:0)

Yokohama Stadium, Japan – Attendance: 65.000
Referee: Oscar Ruiz (Colombia)


Goals:

1-0 Gudjohnsen (11´)
2-0 Marquez (30´)

3-0 Ronaldinho (65´)
4-0 Deco (85´)


FC BARCELONA (4-3-3): Valdés - Zambrotta, Marquez, Puyol, Gio - Motta (Xavi 60´), Iniesta, Deco - Giuly (Belletti 75´), Gudjohnsen (Ezquerro 66´), Ronaldinho - Manager: Frank Rijkaard


CLUB AMÉRICA (4-4-2): Ochoa - Castro, R. Rojas, O. Rojas, Davino - Villa, Argüello, Fabiano Pereira (Mendoza 74´) - Cabañas (Blanco 46´), Cuevas, Claudio López (Vuoso 74´) - Manager: Luis Fernando Tena


Match Report:

Barca has reached the FIFA Club World Cup final and Ronaldinho inspired Barcelona to a 4-0 victory over Mexico's Club America on Thursday in yokohama in front of 65,000 spectators. Barca will now play Brazilian side
Internacional from Porto Alegre in Sunday's final.


After only 11 minutes, center forward Eidur Gudjohnsen put Barca in the lead. A perfect start after a great team effort, starting with Deco in midfield and a stunning back heel pass to Iniesta who provided Gudjohnsen in the penalty area. Gudjohnsen had no problem to show his finishing skills and left America´s goalkeeper Ochoa no chance when he put the ball into the low right corner of the goal.


About 20 minutes later, Deco's precious corner found Barca´s Mexican defender Rafael Marquez who had no problem to make it 2-0 with a strong header in the 30th minute.


The second half was easy going for Barca. FC Barcelona controlled the entire match but it took until the 65th minute to make it 3-0. Ludovic Giuly's shot was blocked by the america defence but Ronaldinho got the rebound to he feet and cleverly finished into the right top corner of the goal.


Ronaldinho was also at the center of the action, when he unselfishly provided Deco outside the penalty box and the Portuguese midfield star hammered the ball into the top left side of the goal, leaving goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa with no chance. The 4-0 in the 85th minute was also the final result.


Barca cruised easy into the final but the Champions of South America, Brazilian side Internacional, will be a harder obstacle on the way to lift the Cup that Barca has never won before.


My Comment:

This was an easy and comfortable win but without illusions, the next opponent will be of a different calibre. The win keeps our dream alive alive that the team will bring home the so much desired cup.


There has been no surprise so far and again this tournament shows that both representatives of Europe and South America are the dominant teams in world football.


Club America were no match for the European champions. The 4-0 result is a fair mirror of the events on the pitch. No doubt that Barca deserved this result and will now carry the favourites tag for the final.


I can not wait for the final. i am already excited and I am sure it will be a great game full of technical skills.