The Final...

By Chris,
December 21 2008

Manchester United will look to be officially crowned world champions on Sunday as they take on Liga de Quito in the final of FIFA’s Club World Cup. Sir Alex Ferguson reached the final following a 5-3 victory over Japanese side Gamba Osaka - but are expected to face a much more difficult test against the Copa Libertadores holders.

Whilst the Club World Cup has failed to win over the majority in Europe, it is taken very, very seriously by teams and supporters alike in South America. Liga de Quito are in a confident mood ahead of kick-off and are hyping this game up as one of the biggest in their history.

Edgardo Bauza, coach of Los Albos, has said that he isn't satisfied with being "among the top two clubs in the world" - and seems confident of leading his team to glory on Sunday in his final match at the helm. His side became the first Ecuadorian club to win the competition following a penalty shoot-out win over Fluminense.

Liga de Quito were shock winners of last season's Copa Libertadores and thus don't carry the same reputation as other South American giants. However, they swept aside Mexico's Pachuca, winners of the CONCACAF trophy, during the week and are well-regarded as a hardworking and ambitious side.

Sir Alex Ferguson has given little away about his team selection for the match - but has revealed that Ji-Sung Park will be amongst the starting XI. Meanwhile, Dimitar Berbatov, who has contracted a virus, is expected to be named amongst the substitutes.

United have won every major competition - except this one and the Uefa Cup. If we play at our best, and deal with the unusual conditions, then we have what it takes to add another line to the honours board and officially crown ourselves the finest football team on the face of the planet.

As Wayne Rooney put it, "Our fans who were here for the semi-final were singing ‘Champions of England, Champions of Europe' and it would sound even better for them to add ‘Champions of the world,"

Come on United.