Barça profit from Tokyo draw
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Article summary
European champions FC Barcelona will have a slight edge at this year's FIFA Club World Cup after being given an extra day's rest in today's draw in Tokyo.
Article body
European champions FC Barcelona will have a slight edge at this year's FIFA Club World Cup after being given an extra day's preparation time in today's draw in Tokyo.
Yokohama opener
The Spanish side will play either Central American champions Club América of Mexico or the eventual winners of this year's Asian Champions League in their opening game in Yokohama on 14 December. South America's Copa Libertadores winners SC Internacional of Brazil play a day earlier in Tokyo against Oceania champions Auckland City or whoever takes Africa's continental title.
Liverpool beaten
Barcelona and Internacional both received byes into the semi-finals, and will be favourites to contest the final in Yokohama on 17 December. Brazil's São Paulo FC beat Liverpool FC 1-0 in last year's final in the first edition of the revamped FIFA tournament.