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Internacional set sights on Fifa Club World Cup

Brazil’s SC Internacional are the fifth team to qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2010, leaving just two places to fill ahead of the showpiece tournament in Abu Dhabi this December.

The 2006 club world champions defeated Mexican giants Guadalajara Chivas 3-2 to clinch a 5-3 aggregate win in the Copa Libertadores championship, giving the Brazilians their second South American title and another chance at claiming the FIFA Club World Cup title. They enter the 2010 competition as the CONMEBOL representatives, the Confederation champions of South America, a press release said. Goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri, midfielder Pablo Guinazu and playmaker Andres D’Alessandro became the first Argentinians to win the Copa Libertadores in a Brazilian team. D’Alessandro said his side’s unbeaten home record was crucial in their success: “We did not lose at home and that is very important. They were tough matches. Now, it’s time for celebration. I hope we can lift the World Cup trophy in Abu Dhabi. We have completed the first step.” Guinazu added: “We won because we put our heart on the pitch.”

Rafael Sobis, who recently returned to Porto Alegre on loan from Abu Dhabi’s Al Jazira Football Club repeated his 2006 success.

“I came here to play the semifinals and did not score until the final match,” he said.

“This year’s achievement has a different taste. In 2006, we had the pressure of having already lost a final in 1980. Tonight, it was calmer. We have players who know how to play finals. Now, I want the league title and the FIFA Club World Cup trophy.”

As well as lifting the Copa Libertadores, Inter also finished first top in the average attendance rankings, with an average of 40,000 fans attending each of their seven games at the Beira-Rio.

With the second largest football confederation championship decided, football fans across the UAE will shift their focus to Africa and Asia in the coming months as the continents begin to finalise their respective club champions.

Africa is now in its fourth round of the quarter-final stage while Asia will begin its final round of eight in mid-September featuring four teams from South Korea, two from Saudi Arabia and one club from Iran and Qatar respectively. The finals for both the African and Asia Football Confederations will be held in November.

John Lickrish, Local Organising Committee (LOC) General Manager, said the addition of a former club champion to this year’s tournament generated extra enthusiasm and excitement for the event.

“Internacional are an impressive team to watch,” Lickrish said. “Having them in the tournament once again adds another exciting element and sends a message to all the clubs competing that South America and Brazil want to return to the top of the club world championship.”

Lickrish also said the Local Organising Committee will soon unveil its plans to make this tournament the most entertaining showpiece in club football.

The FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2010 brings together the club champions from six continental confederations: Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America and Oceania, as well as the winning team from the host city’s national league.

From December 8-18 the teams will compete to be crowned Club World Cup champions over 11 days of action at Zayed Sports City and Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.

The other clubs that have booked their place in the tournament are UEFA Champions Inter Milan who qualified in May; Oceania Champions League winners, Hekari United, a semi-professional team from Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea; Al Wahda, the UAE Pro League champions; Mexican club CF Pachuca who will make their third appearance at a club world cup after claiming the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Champions League against fellow compatriots Cruz Azul in April.