JAPAN: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Corinthians fans are overjoyed with their 1-0 victory over Chelsea in the Club World Cup final while fans of the European champions disagree on who deserved to win

Record ID: 466795

  • Title: JAPAN: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Corinthians fans are overjoyed with their 1-0 victory over Chelsea in the Club World Cup final while fans of the European champions disagree on who deserved to win
  • Date: 16th December 2012
  • Summary: MAN CARRYING A CHILD
  • Embargoed: 31st December 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Japan
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAC3WJCE4QHERT2M003EQ8BABI3
  • Story Text: Corinthians fans were overcome with joy as their team stunned European champions Chelsea, winning 1-0 to claim the FIFA Club World Cup title on Sunday (Dec 16) on Yokohama, Japan.

    "I love Corinthians, they are my life and I am so happy that so many Corinthians fans came from Brazil to Japan to see this game. Corinthians thank you!," said Natalia Cardoza, one of an estimated 30,000 Corinthians fan who made the trip to Japan.
    Corinthians, who won the first Club World Cup in 2000, caught Chelsea cold when their Peruvian striker Guerrero headed home from close range after Danilo's shot looped up off Gary Cahill's boot.
    Chelsea, who had been under pressure to win the tournament after becoming the first holders to exit the Champions League at the group stage, missed a string of chances to win the final.
    Cahill, who was sent off in the last minute, Fernando Torres and Victor Moses were all denied by brilliant saves from Corinthians goalkeeper Cassio in a game the English side largely dominated.

    "We played pretty we (and) we had our chances," said Jordan Tung from the Hong Kong Chelsea Supporters Club, "Torres missed a sitter and there was a goal that went against us. And the ref; that's the story of Chelsea, the ref's always against us," he added.
    Yasu Sasaki said: "I thought we could win at 88 minutes but Torres offside and Torres missed a score. That was a shame."

    "I would never say they (Chelsea) deserved to win," said a disappointed Drew Taylor, one of around a thousand travelling Chelsea fans who flew in from London. But Japanese Chelsea fan Tetsu Ishikawa disagreed.

    "I think they (Corinthians) deserved to win. I support Chelsea but they deserved to win," he said.
    European sides had won the last five Club World Cups, with Chelsea's interim manager Rafael Benitez winning it with Inter Milan in 2010 and a runner-up with Liverpool in 2005.
    The Spaniard, an unpopular appointment among Chelsea fans after the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo last month, could face a hostile return after the team's failure in Japan.
    The defeat to Corinthians will come as a surprise to many Chelsea fans who know relatively little of the Brazillian team.

    "Lots of people, lots of Chelsea fans told me before this game that nobody in England knows who Corinthians are. Well now they do. Nice to meet you Corinthians, how do you do?," said a delighted Rodnaldo, from Sao Paulo.
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