constant
Regular
Posts: 1,318
Likes: 345
Team: Sheffield Wednesday
|
Post by constant on Dec 18, 2013 20:44:34 GMT
Typically I don't think that anyone has much time for this event since it is typically an over-glorified exhibition match between the UEFA champ and the CONMEBOL champ but today something a little bit special is happening.
Host side Raja Casablanca, a fine enough African club but no world beaters, who are only in the competition by virtue of being the host nation's champion are playing like...well, world beaters.
It was cute enough when Raja beat Auckland City in their opener but they opened some eyes when they beat Monterrey, the CONCACAF champ, in round two and now are really taking the piss by outplaying Atletico Mineiro in the semifinal. Only once in the tournament's history has the CONMEBOL champion failed to reach the final (2010 when TP Mazembe shocked Internacional) but Raja sits ahead 1-0 at the 60 minute mark and they continue to look inspired and deadly.
They won't be Bayern in the final but this is so much more fun than tonight's Capital One Cup action.
|
|
constant
Regular
Posts: 1,318
Likes: 345
Team: Sheffield Wednesday
|
Post by constant on Dec 18, 2013 20:50:51 GMT
Class fat man free kick from Ronaldinho to equalize. Finished in true Casablancan style, Raja wins 3-1 going away. They will face Bayern next in possibly the biggest match in North African football history...shame that Bayern probably doesn't care much about it.
|
|
AndyEFC
Spectator
Posts: 78
Likes: 3
|
Post by AndyEFC on Dec 19, 2013 1:30:06 GMT
Class fat man free kick from Ronaldinho to equalize. Finished in true Casablancan style, Raja wins 3-1 going away. They will face Bayern next in possibly the biggest match in North African football history...shame that Bayern probably doesn't care much about it. You say they don't care but the team they played against Guangzhou Evergrande was a pretty damn good one. Fairly strong relatively for their squad.
|
|
constant
Regular
Posts: 1,318
Likes: 345
Team: Sheffield Wednesday
|
Post by constant on Dec 19, 2013 1:53:46 GMT
UEFA clubs, to their credit, tend to take the competition at least mostly seriously and Bayern did field a genuinely first choice squad against Guangzhou (who are tidy and have Dario Conca but who wouldn't get promoted from the Championship) but there just isn't any comparison with how intensely that Raja Casablanca is taking these matches.
|
|
AndyEFC
Spectator
Posts: 78
Likes: 3
|
Post by AndyEFC on Dec 19, 2013 3:20:31 GMT
Ofcourse Raja are going to be taking it seriously, their biggest games in history and they only qualify through being part of the host nation, they also haven't won the league to qualify, which does confuse me. It's like asking who's going to be more excited for a game between Exeter City and Barcelona.
|
|
Mycon
Starter
Con My-Ji also acceptable
Posts: 4,209
Likes: 929
|
Post by Mycon on Dec 19, 2013 12:07:45 GMT
Pity Mineiro didn't make the final with a last hurrah from Ronaldinho.
|
|
constant
Regular
Posts: 1,318
Likes: 345
Team: Sheffield Wednesday
|
Post by constant on Dec 19, 2013 17:32:05 GMT
At least he went out with a bit of flair.
|
|
windowlicker
Reserve
u wot
Posts: 286
Likes: 52
Team: Portsmouth
|
Post by windowlicker on Dec 19, 2013 18:18:54 GMT
That's a fucking insane free kick.
|
|
constant
Regular
Posts: 1,318
Likes: 345
Team: Sheffield Wednesday
|
Post by constant on Dec 19, 2013 18:25:25 GMT
It was a nicely drawn up play too. When Raja put their wall on the far post then Atletico just had Rever stand exactly where Ronaldinho wanted to bend it. Raja didn't close the gap and Ronaldinho's brilliance just took care of the rest.
|
|
AndyEFC
Spectator
Posts: 78
Likes: 3
|
Post by AndyEFC on Dec 19, 2013 20:01:26 GMT
Hadn't even noticed the wall was positioned there. Doesn't seem to be positioned left or right, more central.
|
|
Childish
Regular
Childish.
Posts: 1,503
Likes: 433
Team: Mančester City
|
Post by Childish on Dec 22, 2013 1:07:38 GMT
It's amazing skill but the keeper should save any freekick on his side that hasn't been smashed. Very clever FK though.
|
|
|
Post by LiamJM10 on Dec 22, 2013 1:17:49 GMT
Bend on that free kick is insane.
|
|