Man United Advance to Club World Cup Final After 5-3 Win In Japan

By The Gaffer on December 18, 2008 (3 years ago)

manchester united gamba osaka Man United Advance to Club World Cup Final After 5 3 Win In Japan

Getting up at five o’clock this morning to watch a game on TV live from Japan reminded me of World Cup 2002. But this time, instead of watching England lose against Brazil in Japan, it was the turn of the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup featuring Manchester United against Gamba Osaka from Yokohama.

From the first few minutes, it was apparent that this was going to be a very open game, but who would have expected eight goals in a 5-3 win by Manchester United? While Manchester United’s first two goals were scored from headers by Nemanja Vidic and Cristiano Ronaldo, both connecting from corner kicks, the turning point in the game was when Wayne Rooney entered the game as a substitute for Carlos Tevez when the score was 2-0 to Manchester United.

Incredibly, the game came alive and five goals were scored within five minutes. Rooney scored within one minute with his first touch of the ball, and netted a goal later in the match. Darren Fletcher also scored just a few minutes after Rooney’s first goal.

The TV coverage and commentary from Fox Soccer Channel was well done with Max Bretos and Christopher Sullivan in fine form. While Max can be too over excited at times, Sullivan continues to impart golden nuggets of tactical insight throughout matches which I always appreciate.

Manchester United now plays Liga de Quito (from Ecuador) in the final on Sunday, December 21st with the kick-off at 5:30am ET on Fox Soccer Channel.

5 Responses

  1. JLay
    JLay
    December 18, 2008 at 4:11 pm | | Reply


    FYI, might want to double-check the time for the WCC final – I saw 5:30 AM ET on FSC's website….

  2. The Gaffer
    The Gaffer
    December 18, 2008 at 4:58 pm | | Reply


    Good catch Jeremy, thanks. The time is now fixed in the article.

    Cheers,
    The Gaffer

  3. Forrest
    Forrest
    December 18, 2008 at 6:32 pm | | Reply


    It might well be worth staying up to watch the third place game between Pachuca and Osaka, preceding the final. Those are two teams who will go forward and play attacking, entertaining soccer.

  4. Burt Reynolds
    Burt Reynolds
    December 18, 2008 at 7:13 pm | | Reply


    Gamba Osaka finished 8th domestically, so with the being said I am shocked they did so well against ManU. I think they pretty much sacrificed their J League season just to play Manchester United. Urawa Reds did the same thing last year.

  5. prasath from kedah ( malaysia )
    prasath from kedah ( malaysia )
    August 10, 2009 at 5:29 am | | Reply


    i love Mu 4 ever…………..
    i love you mu
    i love you mu
    i love you mu………………………………………….
    chelsea is my unlike team.

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