2008 has been a very good year for my team, Manchester United. After capturing the English Premier League title in May and following it up with the European championship weeks later, they have captured the biggest prize of all just as the year is set to close. Manchester United beat LDU Quito of Ecuador 1-0 to claim the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup crown!Before a sell-out crowd of Japanese soccer fans, United dazzled and displayed the skills worthy of a champion. Even before the game started, many have picked them to win over the
South Americans. They are Manchester United, after all. Moreover, with the way they played in the semi-finals, beating Japan's Gamba Osaka with a score of 5-3, they seemed unbeatable. However, in a game where skill and luck are of equal importance, no result is certain, even for the best team in the world.
Their prediction was right, Ronaldo would be a marked man throughout the game with the Ecuadorians giving him the tightest defense they could give, plus much more. The European Footballer of Year, however, refused to be intimidated, picking himself up after every nasty kick and tackle, and helping Manchester United to a formidable offense in the first half. With most of the Ecuadorians concentrating on Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney was relatively free to play his game, making the Quito goalkeeper work double time in the first half. Despite this, the first 45 minutes ended with both teams scoreless.
The second half started on a bleak note for the Europeans as Vidic was sent off after getting a red card. Manchester United was now down to ten men and the prospects of another championship looked uncertain. The game became slower, more deliberate - probably the result of nerves after being reduced to ten players. However, they soon found their groove back with Wayne Rooney leading the pack, attacking the Ecuadorian goalie just like during the first half. After what seemed like an eternity, Rooney scored a wonderful strike from the left. With only a few minutes left in regulation, the championship was almost certain. And after several futile attempts from the South Americans, Manchester United was crowned as the world's best!The internet coverage that I watched was spotty, with the video stream jamming intermittently, but the result of the game more than made up for my disappointment in the coverage. Though I couldn't understand what the Spanish commentators were saying, I jumped in my seat at every missed United goal, and winced at the few times the Ecuadorians almost scored. In the end, even with only 10 men, Manchester United was too good for the champions of South America. Truly, the best in the world!
2008 FIFA Club World Cup Semi-final Highlights
Manchester United vs Gamba Osaka
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