Covid Tests For Fans, Limited Crowds And Bayern Favourites - Club World Cup Kicks Off In Qatar
02/02/21 AT 9:11 PM
Bayern Munich are the overwhelming favourites to cap a remarkable last year as they head to Qatar for the delayed FIFA Club World Cup, taking place later than scheduled because of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic which overshadows the tournament.
Bayern qualified after their triumph in last season s UEFA Champions League, the crowning moment of a 2020 which also saw Hansi Flick s team win the Bundesliga, German Cup, UEFA Super Cup and German Super Cup.
Now they are hoping to become the eighth consecutive European winner of the Club World Cup, a run that started when Bayern themselves lifted the trophy in Morocco in 2013.
The World Game.
“But I don’t really look at that, in the meantime I just want to work hard and really knuckle down this season, get more minutes and do more for the team and develop. I just want to develop more.
“I’d like to go overseas [in the future] but I’m not quite sure where yet, England, Spain, anywhere, a top tier division, anywhere in Europe.
“Potentially [playing for the Socceroos], I’m not quite sure. South Sudan’s also an option, I’d be happy to represent either country. I’m looking forward to any national team call-up if it comes, it would be a great experience for me.”
Global, Asian and domestic challenges for Korean teams
Posted : 2021-02-01 17:06
Updated : 2021-02-01 17:38
AFC Champions League winner Ulsan Hyundai players arrive in Doha, Qatar, Saturday. This year s Asian football champ club is participating in the 2020 FIFA Club World Cup. / Courtesy of FIFA
By John Duerden
Here we go. This week will see the first competitive game for a South Korean team in 2021. Nobody knows what will happen in the coming months and whether there will be COVID-19 induced complications in terms of canceled or postponed games but for now we can look forward to some football.
It starts Thursday in Qatar, the country where it finished in 2020. On Dec.19, Ulsan Horangi defeated Persepolis of Iran in the final of the Asian Champions League. That win meant that the Tigers now represent Asia in the Club World Cup. The champions of all the confederations will meet with the winner being crowned as world champion. No South Korean team has managed that just yet,
What some fans mistook for a provocative gesture by Jake Brimmer after he netted Melbourne Victory's dramatic late winner against Perth Glory was, in fact, nothing to do with taunting his former club.