Internet Desk: Host club Kashima Antlers will face European champions Real Madrid in the final of FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2016 on Sunday. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two sides, an encounter in which a surprise package of Antlers will be tested by the powerhouse of club football, who has not lost a match in last eight months.
Real Madrid reached the Club World Cup for the second time in three years thanks to a superb UEFA Champions League campaign, in which they won nine of their 13 games, drawing three and losing just once. Leaders in La Liga by a comfortable margin, the European champions go into the final buoyed by a 36-match unbeaten run that stretches back to April and by their superlative finishing. So far this season, they have racked up 72 goals.
Los Blancos will hope Sergio Ramos recovers from his muscle problems in time for their bid to win the trophy for a second time. Having made full recoveries from injuries of their own, Casemiro and Toni Kroos will patrol the midfield alongside Luka Modric, the player of the match in the semi-final win over Club America. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, who scored the goals that sank the Mexican outfit, will aim to provide their customary cutting edge up front.
Facing them will be surprise package Kashima Antlers, who have earned worldwide admiration in battling their way to the final. It was only two short weeks ago that their chances of winning the J1 League title and the Club World Cup ticket that came with it were being written off. Win it they did, however, with Masatada Ishii’s charges subsequently doing the host nation proud by seeing off Auckland City in their opening match of Japan 2016, beating African champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the second round and then pulling off an upset against Copa Libertadores holders Atletico Nacional in the semi-finals.
The Japanese side have amassed some impressive statistics in the process, scoring seven goals so far and firing in 28 shots, more than any other side in the competition on both counts. Kashima’s hopes of landing an unlikely trophy have been boosted by the excellent form of goalkeeper Hitoshi Sohagata, the player of the match in their semi-final, while Shoma Doi and Gaku Shibasaki will have the job of creating play and driving the team forward. Up front, Mu Kanazaki will look to continue the form that has made him the tournament’s joint-highest scorer with two goals, despite the fact he has started all three of his side’s games on the bench.
With inputs from FIFA.