Asian teams chase windfall at FIFA's Club World Cup

Sports
South Korean champ wins over 25% of its yearly revenue simply by showing up
This pitch in Seattle, Washington, waits for the Seattle Sounders FC and Botafogo to kick off FIFA's expanded Club World Cup on June 15. While the tournament has its detractors in the West, Asian teams can't wait to make their presence felt. © Reuters
JOHN DUERDEN
SEOUL-- This week, Asia makes its bow in the new-look FIFA Club World Cup, a tournament featuring teams from every soccer confederation and being held across the United States through July 13. Early Wednesday morning Tokyo time, the Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan will face Argentine giant River Plate in Seattle, Washington. A few hours later, in Orlando, Florida, South Korea's Ulsan HD will take on the Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa.
On the field, it is a chance for the Asian teams to chase glory and test themselves against some of the world's biggest clubs. Off it, the massive financial rewards on offer could make a real difference.

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Flamengo fightback floors Chelsea at Club World Cup

Bruno Henrique (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring for Flamengo as the Brazilians came from behind to beat Chelsea 3-1 at the Club World Cup on Friday soccer By Andy SCOTT Substitute Bruno Henrique played a starring role as Flamengo came roaring back in the second half to beat Chelsea 3-1 at the Club World Cup on Friday, maintaining an impressive record for South American teams so far at the competition. Pedro Neto had given Chelsea the lead in the first half but Flamengo, roared on by their frenzied supporters who made up the majority of the 54,019 crowd, did not deserve to be behind and produced a stunning fightback after the interval. Bruno Henrique came off the bench in the 56th minute and equalised for the Brazilian giants just after the hour mark before setting up Danilo to make it 2-1. Chelsea were stunned, and their hopes of pulling level again were effectively destroyed when substitute Nicolas Jackson was sent off in the 68th minute. Wallace Yan, also on as a substitute, then sealed the victory for the Rio de Janeiro club, the Brazilian league leaders, when he made it 3-1 late on. "It was a special day for me and our club," said Flamengo coach Filipe Luis, a former Chelsea player. "We knew we would have chances against Chelsea because we have one way to play and they know how to follow that path. "I am really happy with the game but it is just one win. Now we have to think about the next game and try to go through this group phase because it is not easy." With two wins from two at the tournament, Flamengo are on the brink of qualification for the last 16 from Group D. Chelsea, meanwhile, were unable to repeat the victory obtained in their opening game against Los Angeles FC but will be hopeful of securing a place in the knockout phase in their final group outing against Esperance of Tunisia. "Unfortunately we conceded two goals in a very short period, a very short moment, and then the red card, and then I think it's very complicated to come back in the game," Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca told broadcaster DAZN. "We tried, but congratulations to them. I think they deserved to win." The result follows Botafogo's stunning success against European champions Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday, stretching the unbeaten record for South American clubs at the competition to nine matches. Maresca made four changes to his line-up following the win over LAFC in Atlanta, with new signing Liam Delap coming in for his first start up front. Delap had an early effort tipped over but it was Neto who gave Chelsea the lead in the 13th minute as he pounced on a slip by Wesley to run through and score a second goal in as many games at FIFA's new competition. Flamengo applied plenty of pressure in the first half without really looking like scoring, but it was a different story after the break. They nearly drew level on 54 minutes when Gerson pounced on a mistake by Reece James and tried to pick his spot in the corner. His connection was poor, and the arriving Gonzalo Plata could not turn the ball in at the back post. The 34-year-old Bruno Henrique, capped twice by Brazil earlier in his career, then came on as the pendulum swung further towards Flamengo. Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez tipped over a shot by Plata just before the equaliser came on 62 minutes. A Gerson cross was headed back across goal by Plata and Bruno Henrique was there to turn it in, sparking wild celebrations among the Brazilian fans clad in red and black at Lincoln Financial Field. Three minutes later Flamengo were ahead as a corner was headed down by Bruno Henrique and former Real Madrid, Manchester City and Juventus defender Danilo converted. Jackson then saw red for raking his studs into the shin of Ayrton Lucas leaving Chelsea to finish the game a man short. Enzo Fernandez was not far away from equalising, but then Flamengo wrapped up the win seven minutes from time as a Plata shot struck Wallace Yan and the ball fell kindly for the substitute to fire in. © 2025 AFP

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Lions slump to warm-up defeat by Argentina

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Nikkei Asia

8 hours ago

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Asian teams chase windfall at FIFA's Club World Cup

Sports South Korean champ wins over 25% of its yearly revenue simply by showing up This pitch in Seattle, Washington, waits for the Seattle Sounders FC and Botafogo to kick off FIFA's expanded Club World Cup on June 15. While the tournament has its detractors in the West, Asian teams can't wait to make their presence felt. © Reuters JOHN DUERDEN SEOUL-- This week, Asia makes its bow in the new-look FIFA Club World Cup, a tournament featuring teams from every soccer confederation and being held across the United States through July 13. Early Wednesday morning Tokyo time, the Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan will face Argentine giant River Plate in Seattle, Washington. A few hours later, in Orlando, Florida, South Korea's Ulsan HD will take on the Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa. On the field, it is a chance for the Asian teams to chase glory and test themselves against some of the world's biggest clubs. Off it, the massive financial rewards on offer could make a real difference.