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'No regrets' Real aims to kick-start season vs. Olimpia in Toyota CupPosted: Monday December 02, 2002 11:43 AMYOKOHAMA, Japan (Reuters) -- European champions Real Madrid will be looking to put a poor run of results behind them and cap their centenary year with victory over Olimpia of Paraguay in the World Club Cup (also known as the Intercontinental Cup or the Toyota Cup) on Tuesday. The Spanish giants, who arrived in Japan with a number of key players still carrying knocks or trying to shake off a 'flu bug, are also determined to put the record straight in Yokohama after losing 2-1 to Argentina's Boca Juniors two years ago. Real beat Vasco da Gama of Brazil 2-1 to win the 1998 World Club Cup but victory against Olimpia would give the club a timely boost after a goalless draw with Barcelona and the 1-0 Champions League defeat at AC Milan in the last 10 days. Coach Vicente del Bosque has played down fitness concerns over Brazil striker Ronaldo ('flu) and captain Fernando Hierro (ankle), although French midfielder Claude Makelele and forward Guti could miss the game with minor injuries. Ronaldo, who memorably scored twice to give Brazil a 2-0 victory over Germany in the World Cup final in his last appearance at International Stadium, arrived at Narita airport on Friday wrapped in a woolly scarf and a thick dufflecoat. However, the 26-year-old, who joined Real from Inter Milan for $44 million in September, showed no lingering effects from his bout of 'flu during training over the weekend. South American champions Olimpia, who, remarkably are also in their centenary year, arrived in Japan more than a week ago to acclimatize and coach Nery Pumpido has a full complement of players available to him. In attack, Paraguay strikers Richart Baez -- who had a spell with J-League club Avispa Fukuoka in 1996 -- and Miguel Benitez are both capable of embarrassing the Real defence. Meanwhile, the influential Uruguayan Sergio Orteman will relish the opportunity of going up against the likes of Zinedine Zidane and Luis Figo in midfield. Tongue lashing However, Olimpia's World Club Cup preparations were hit by a 3-1 defeat to J-League second division side Yokohama FC in a practice match on Friday that earned the players a tongue-lashing from Pumpido. Olimpia, who beat Brazilians Sao Caetano on penalties to win their third Libertadores Cup in July, were beaten 3-0 by AC Milan in 1990 in their only other World Club Cup appearance under the current one-match format. But Pumpido has warned that underdogs Olimpia would not be overawed by the nine-times European champions. "Real Madrid are the best team in the world. So what? We have great respect for them but at the same time we are confident we can win. I have said that all along," said Pumpido, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986. However, Real -- currently seventh in La Liga, eight points behind leaders Real Sociedad -- will want to make it a full set of international titles in 2002 after lifting the Champions League and the European Super Cup. Mind games The mind games began over the weekend when Brazil defender Roberto Carlos suggested that Real would have "home advantage" in Yokohama. "We are playing on a ground where Ronaldo and I won the World Cup. The fans know us here and it will feel just like playing at home," he said. If either side needed any more incentive, South America and Europe are locked at 11 wins apiece since the two-leg format was replaced by one match in 1981. Both teams will be desperate to end their centenary years on a high, but Real could just want it that little bit more as they try to get their domestic and Champions League campaigns back on track. Probable teams: Real Madrid (4-4-2) - Iker Casillas; Michel Salgado, Ivan Helguera, Francisco Pavon, Roberto Carlos; Luis Figo, Esteban Cambiasso, Albert Celades, Zinedine Zidane; Raul, Ronaldo Olimpia (4-4-2) - Ricardo Tavarelli; Nestor Isasi, Pedro Benitez, Nelson Zelaya, Juan Ramon Jara; Sergio Orteman, Julio Cesar Enciso, Julio Cesar Caceres, Gaston Cordoba; Rodrigo Lopez, Miguel Angel Benitez Referee: Carlos Eugenio Simon (Brazil). Real wants 'no regrets' after World Club CupYOKOHAMA, Japan (Reuters) -- European champions Real Madrid are anxious not to repeat the mistakes of two years ago when they take on Olimpia of Paraguay in the World Club Cup on Tuesday. The memory of a 2-1 defeat against Argentina's Boca Juniors in 2000 has given the Real players extra incentive to add the Intercontinental Cup to the Champions League title and European Super Cup they have already won in their centenary year. "There are huge expectations on us this time. We definitely don't want to sit on the plane for 14 or 15 hours on the way home wishing we had done this or that differently like last time," Real striker Raul said on Monday. "Olimpia might not be the best-known club in the world but they won the Libertadores Cup to become South American champions. That proves that they deserve to be taken seriously." Real manager Vicente del Bosque admitted that the word "revenge" had been used as a motivational tool during team talks since arriving in Japan on Friday. "The Boca Juniors defeat wasn't that long ago. We remember it well and there are things we want to put right tomorrow, so there's no question revenge will be on our minds," he said. Del Bosque told reporters that his team would be at full strength for the match in Yokohama after concerns over the fitness of a number of players. "The good news as far as we are concerned is that the players who had 'flu or minor injuries are fit enough to play," he said. "Olimpia have won the Libertadores Cup three times and we will give them maximum respect. We haven't had the best of results in La Liga or in the Champions League lately, so we will take this game very seriously." No fear Meanwhile, Olimpia manager Nery Pumpido insisted that his players had nothing to fear from their illustrious opponents. "This is a massive game but we will approach it as always, playing our type of counter-attacking football. I have a lot of faith in my team," he said. "We have beaten big clubs like Flamengo, Boca Juniors and Gremio on the way to winning the Libertadores Cup, so I believe we can go out and get the right result." Olimpia, who are also celebrating their centenary year, were beaten 3-0 by AC Milan in 1990 in their only other World Club Cup appearance under the current one-match format. Real won the title in 1998 with a 2-1 win over Vasco da Gama of Brazil. However, they are currently seventh in La Liga, eight points behind leaders Real Sociedad, and have failed to score in the league since the 3-2 win at Rayo Vallecano on November 9. But Raul believes the nine-times European champions are ready to turn the corner and get their domestic and Champions League campaigns back on track. "When we lost to Boca it left a really bitter taste," he said. "Olimpia are a quality team but this is a final between the champions of Europe and South America and we're determined to take the title back to Spain." Ronaldo sets sights on more Yokohama historyYOKOHAMA, Japan (Reuters) -- Real Madrid striker Ronaldo has warned South American champions Olimpia that he wants to make history again on his return to Yokohama for the World Club Cup on Tuesday. The 26-year-old, who has been battling a bout of flu over the past week, scored twice to give Brazil a 2-0 win over Germany in the World Cup final in his last appearance at International Stadium on June 30. Ominously for Olimpia, Ronaldo insisted on Monday that his cold was gone and that he would be firing on all cylinders against the Paraguayans as Real attempt to get back to winning ways after a poor run of results. "It feels great to be back in Yokohama. To win the World Cup here was such a special achievement but that's in the past and now I hope I can make some more history tomorrow," he told reporters after training. Ronaldo joined Real from Inter Milan for US$44 million in September after scoring eight goals at the World Cup to complete a remarkable return following a series of knee injuries since 1998. Despite scoring just three goals for the Spanish giants so far this season, he said it was just a matter of time before he was back to his best. Air miles "One of the reasons I joined Real was because of their long history. I always dreamed of playing in the Intercontinental Cup because it decides who the number one club in the world is," said Ronaldo, who has been shortlisted for the FIFA World Player of the Year. He won the award in 1996 and 1997. "To play for a club like Real and to reach this level of the game is very special. The motivation is definitely there now to win my first title with Real." Real last won the World Club Cup in 1998, when they beat Vasco da Gama of Brazil 2-1. However, they lost by the same scoreline to Argentina's Boca Juniors two years ago -- a result that still rankles for the nine-times European champions. Real are currently seventh in La Liga, eight points adrift of leaders Real Sociedad, and arrived in Japan on Friday on the back of a goalless draw with Barcelona and the 1-0 Champions League defeat at AC Milan a week ago. But Ronaldo, who clocked up more air miles to the Far East last month, when he scored twice to help Brazil to a 3-2 win over South Korea, insisted that the World Club Cup was a priority for Real in their centenary year. "We have a long season in Europe but to win this title would
give us a lift and we want to finish the year in style," he
said.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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