United relies on experience in Club World Cup semifinal
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Reuters
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Aralık 18, 2008 00:00
YOKOHAMA - Alex Ferguson has opted for experience in Manchester United's Club World Cup semifinal against Japan's Gamba Osaka today.
The United manager told a news conference yesterday that Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville will all start the game in Yokohama for the red-hot tournament favorite.
"The record they have with us speaks for itself," he said of the trio. "This is a big-game situation and experience will be important. Ryan has done 21 years with us, Gary 19 and Paul Scholes 19 years and that is exceptional -- absolutely exceptional."
The European champion will be without striker Dimitar Berbatov, however, the Bulgarian having been confined to bed with a flu bug. "He's been in bed since we arrived (on Monday)," said Ferguson. "He's picked up a virus, whether on the plane journey we're unsure, but he's not very well at the moment."
Berbatov's absence eases Ferguson's selection headaches, although United have a slight concern over the fitness of Wayne Rooney after the England striker picked up a knock in training.
"I think this is our best squad in my time," said Ferguson, who confirmed Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo had recovered from a hip injury and would play against Gamba. "There's difficulties in that, because through managing there is disappointment. You can only play 11 players."
If United beats Gamba it will face Libertadores Cup winner Liga de Quito of Ecuador in Sunday's Yokohama final. Liga de Quito stormed into the final of the Club World Cup yesterday with a 2-0 defeat of Mexico's Pachuca.
In persistent rain, Claudio Bieler and Luis Bolanos did the damage with first-half goals for the South American champion.
"I'm very happy that we are in the final which means we are among the top two clubs in the world," said Liga's Argentine coach Edgardo Bauza, who said the pressure on them was huge as their continent's representative. "We had a heavy responsibility and under the circumstances the team played really well. Our opponent was formidable but we played better than normal and put our focus on the defense. But we were also very good on the counter-attack. In my opinion, we were superb."
Pachuca coach Enrique Meza said Liga deserved the victory, but had nothing but praise for his players.
"Liga was worthy winner, they were stronger than us. We had more possession but we couldn't get the goals," he said. "The players are disappointed and sad, but they made a great effort. They did their best but we just didn't get the result."
Despite the loss, it was better than last year for the Mexicans, who crashed in the quarterfinal in 2007.
"The record they have with us speaks for itself," he said of the trio. "This is a big-game situation and experience will be important. Ryan has done 21 years with us, Gary 19 and Paul Scholes 19 years and that is exceptional -- absolutely exceptional."
The European champion will be without striker Dimitar Berbatov, however, the Bulgarian having been confined to bed with a flu bug. "He's been in bed since we arrived (on Monday)," said Ferguson. "He's picked up a virus, whether on the plane journey we're unsure, but he's not very well at the moment."
Berbatov's absence eases Ferguson's selection headaches, although United have a slight concern over the fitness of Wayne Rooney after the England striker picked up a knock in training.
"I think this is our best squad in my time," said Ferguson, who confirmed Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo had recovered from a hip injury and would play against Gamba. "There's difficulties in that, because through managing there is disappointment. You can only play 11 players."
If United beats Gamba it will face Libertadores Cup winner Liga de Quito of Ecuador in Sunday's Yokohama final. Liga de Quito stormed into the final of the Club World Cup yesterday with a 2-0 defeat of Mexico's Pachuca.
In persistent rain, Claudio Bieler and Luis Bolanos did the damage with first-half goals for the South American champion.
"I'm very happy that we are in the final which means we are among the top two clubs in the world," said Liga's Argentine coach Edgardo Bauza, who said the pressure on them was huge as their continent's representative. "We had a heavy responsibility and under the circumstances the team played really well. Our opponent was formidable but we played better than normal and put our focus on the defense. But we were also very good on the counter-attack. In my opinion, we were superb."
Pachuca coach Enrique Meza said Liga deserved the victory, but had nothing but praise for his players.
"Liga was worthy winner, they were stronger than us. We had more possession but we couldn't get the goals," he said. "The players are disappointed and sad, but they made a great effort. They did their best but we just didn't get the result."
Despite the loss, it was better than last year for the Mexicans, who crashed in the quarterfinal in 2007.