Running from the 8th to the 18th of December, the United Arab Emirates' hosting of the Club World Cup is sure to be a spectacle. Al-Wahda Sports Club from the United Arab Emirates will be playing Hekari United FC of Papua New Guinea, the current holders of the Oceania Champions League, in a play-off for the final quarter-final position. The winner of that clash will then have to face Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma F.C., the Champions of Asia. In the other leg of matches, between TP Mazembe Englebert of the Congo DR, the Champions of Africa and Club de Futbol Pachuca of Mexico, the Champions of CONCACAF will be facing-off. The winner between TP Mazembe Englebert and Club de Futbol Pachuca will then be facing Sport Club Internacional, the Brazillian side who are the Champions of the Copa Libertadores tournament. On the other hand, the winner between Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma F.C. and either Al-Wahda or Hekari United FC will then face the European (UEFA Champions League) Champions F.C. Internazionale Milano in the other semi-final. The match for fifth place will then occur on the 15th of December, the same day as the Inter Milan semi-final. The Internacional semi-final will take place on the 14th of December. The Final and third-place matches will occur on the 18th of December. Predictions? Al-Wahda are probably the marginal favorites in the play-off against the Papua New Guinean side Hekari United FC since they will have the whole host nation behind them, any farther than the Quarter-finals would be a major success for both teams. Meanwhile TP Mazembe Englebert v.s. Club de Futbol Pachuca will be interesting, however I see Pachuca claiming victory in the end. I think the South Koreans of Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma F.C. will defeat either Al-Wahda Sports Club or Hekari United FC, probably Al-Wahda who will get through to them. Despite having the home crowd behind them, Al-Wahda will most likely fall, in that case Hekari United FC will certainly fall if they somehow do get to challenge the South Koreans. As Pachuca should be getting through, their match against Sport Club Internacional will be even closer. Nonetheless, I wouldn't be surprised if Internacional win the match. Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma F.C. v.s. Inter Milan shouldn't be too much of a challenge for the Italians, however I think the South Koreans may be able to pull something out of their sleeves. So yes, I would like nothing more than to see Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma F.C. play Sport Club Internacional in the final of the Club World Cup despite the fact that I have a feeling Inter Milan will be there instead. No matter, I think Internacional may be able to manage their 2006 performance, in fact, I'd welcome it.
Enjoy the experience!
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