World Club Cup: Qualifier

The FIFA Club World Cup in Japan kicks off on Friday with the meeting between Waitakere United and Sepahan at the Tokyo National Stadium.

Qualifier: Sepahan v Waitakere United
Tokyo, Friday at 1045 (UK Time, +1hr for Italy)
Both teams will be determined to mark their tournament debut with a win and a place in the quarter-finals.

Sepahan are likely to be especially fired up for the opener, as the Iranians would progress to a re-match with Urawa Red Diamonds, their recent conquerors by a slender margin in the AFC Champions League final.

Waitakere rate as rank outsiders, but have absolutely nothing to lose and are determined to prove worthy representatives of New Zealand football on the international stage.

CONCACAF Champions Cup winners Pachuca of Mexico, African Champions League winners Etoile Sportive du Sahel of Tunisia and Asian Champions League winners Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan have already qualified for the quarter-finals.

European champions AC Milan and their South American counterparts Boca Juniors enter the tournament at the semi-final stage.

Source: FIFA