Porto tune up in Yokohama (©Getty Images)Porto poised for Caldas challenge
Saturday, 11 December 2004
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PrintBy Paul Saffer
FC Porto hope to join a select list of clubs to regain the European/South American Cup - as they face first-time competitors CD Once Caldas of Colombia in the 43rd and final edition of the tournament in Yokohama on Sunday.
Final encounter
With the new six-team FIFA Club World Cup to begin in Japan next year, this will mark the last of the annual challenge matches between the champions of the world's two strongest footballing continents, which began in 1960 when Real Madrid CF defeated CA Peñarol over two legs.
Previous victory
Since then South America have 22 victories to Europe's 20, but history may favour Porto. In 1987 they won the trophy for which arch-rivals SL Benfica competed unsuccessfully three times in the 1960s, while Colombia have only once produced competitors - CA Nacional Medellín, defeated 1-0 by AC Milan two years after Porto's 2-1 triumph against Peñarol.
Surprise winners
When CA Boca Juniors overcame Milan on penalties 12 months ago to join the Rossoneri, Madrid and Uruguayan rivals Peñarol and CD Nacional on three victories each, the odds on Porto and Caldas forming the 2004 opposition would have been long. But while José Mourinho masterminded Porto's impressive UEFA Champions League victory, Luis Fernando Montoya was leading Caldas to an even more unlikely Copa Libertadores success a year after claiming their second Colombian title.
Full squad
Porto have received a boost with the news that both Maniche and Derlei have shaken off fitneess concerns. Coach Victor Fernández declared: "They are both recovered from fatigue and their injuries so I can count on them." All 21 Porto players who travelled are available for the 25th game since the fixture was moved to Japan, with each continent having won 12 times in Tokyo or, since 2002, Yokohama.
This final could be the last of the current system and it is very important as we are the European representatives
Costinha
Costinha motivated
Midfield player Costinha confirmed that Porto were determined to add another trophy in a year that has brought another Portuguese league title as well as European glory. He said: "A final is always an important goal in a player's career. This final could be the last of the current system and it is very important as we are the European representatives. This is the motivation to help us to overcome the freezing weather and the long journey."
McCarthy's dream
It seemed as if Porto's Champions League reign was ending on Tuesday before Benni McCarthy struck a late winner against Mourinho's Chelsea FC to take the holders into the last 16. The South African forward is now looking ahead, saying: "I do not know the Caldas players but it is probable that they will cause us some problems. Nevertheless, I hope Porto will win. Obviously that I would like to be the man of the match, because it would be a signal that things worked out for us!"
'Vital match'
Montoya, who is set to replace injured Dairo Moreno with attacking midfielder Diego Arango in a 4-5-1 formation, is hoping for a sporting encounter, a far cry from the bad-tempered matches of the tournament's early years. "We have to promote the unity of the football family," the Caldas coach said. "This is a great final and I am sure it will be a beautiful match. This is a vital match and we want to dignify this competition."
High expectations
He added: "We will try to play at our best level and I have not yet finalised the lineup or the tactics. Porto are a great team with lots of individual talents. The expectations for those great players are high too because one expects to have great players in great matches."
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