JAPAN: SOCCER - Fans greet European champions AC Milan arriving in Japan for the Club World Cup tournament

Record ID: 464244

  • Title: JAPAN: SOCCER - Fans greet European champions AC Milan arriving in Japan for the Club World Cup tournament
  • Date: 7th December 2007
  • Summary: (BN10) NARITA, JAPAN (DECEMBER 6, 2007) (REUTERS) FANS WAITING IN NARITA AIRPORT ARRIVALS LOBBY WOMEN WEARING AC MLAN SHIRTS FANS HOLDING MESSAGE READING "PIPPO RECORD CONGRATULAZIONE!" MORE OF FANS HOLDING MESSAGES
  • Embargoed: 22nd December 2007 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Japan
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAC9YZVIID63D1HTQF6RVNYYOJI
  • Story Text: Dressed in club blazers, European champions AC Milan touched down in Japan for the Club World Cup tournament on Thursday (December 6).
    Led by Brazilian Ballon d'Or winner Kaka, Milan's players swept through Narita airport near Tokyo, smiling and waving to waiting Japanese fans decked out in the team's red and black.

    "They walked past so fast. But at least Emerson smiled at me and that made me happy," AC Milan supporter Katsuhiko Kanke told Reuters.
    Milan and Argentina's Boca Juniors join the seven-team tournament at the semi-final stage next week. Iran's Sepahan face New Zealand part-timers Waitakere United in Friday's opener.
    The winners take on Japan's Urawa Reds for the right to play seven-times European champions Milan on Dec. 13. The final is in Yokohama on Dec. 16.
    Milan won the forerunner to the Club World Cup -- a one-off match between the champions of Europe and South America -- three times, in 1969, 1989 and 1990.
    Boca Juniors also won it three times, in 1977, 2000 and in 2003, when they overcame Milan in a penalty shootout.
    Milan captain Paolo Maldini, in his last season before retiring at 39, could make an emotional farewell to Milan if they win the Club World Cup.
    Brazilian clubs triumphed in the first two editions of the revamped tournament, Sao Paulo beating Liverpool 1-0 in 2005 and Internacional stunning Barcelona by the same score last year.
    ENDS.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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