CWC Final Preview: LDU Quito‏ - Manchester United

Giant Killers

Playing the role of the underdog is nothing new for Ecuador’s LDU Quito. Last season’s Copa Libertadores champions ran with this tag all the way to a historic final victory over Brazilian favourites Fluminese.

The bookmakers have placed long odds on LDU adding the Club World Cup title to their South American success, but this won’t bother manager Edgardo Bauza at all. Liga’s hopes of victory were written off well before their plane landed in the Far East.

True, Los Albos haven’t been at their best since July’s continental celebrations. The losses of free-scoring winger Joffre Guerrón to the Getafe C.F bench and defensive midfielder Enrique Vera to Mexican heavyweights Club América have taken their toll.

They were dumped out of the Copa Sudamericana by a second string Boca Juniors side and are currently languishing seven points behind table topping local rivals Deportivo Quito in the Ecuadorian top flight.

All this talk of a decline was dismissed emphatically on Wednesday, though, as they triumphed over Pachuca. El Equipo Albo put the semi final to bed within the first 25 minutes, charging into a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Argentine striker Claudio Bieler and wide man Luis Bolaños.

This result has set up Sunday’s showpiece nicely. Sure, Liga start as rank outsiders, but it would be churlish to ignore the fact that South America’s finest have beaten Europe’s best on three of the last four meetings. With pedigree like that, LDU might just carry out their greatest giant killing act yet.


Out With the Old and In With the New

When Cristiano Ronaldo rose to head the Reds into a 2-0 half-time lead against Osaka, the second half looked like a dead rubber.

Few, then, would have predicted the five goal feast that ensued as amateurish defending, questionable refereeing and sublime ability combined to create a thoroughly entertaining 45 minutes of football and a 5-3 final scoreline.

This would not have pleased United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, as he watched in dismay as his backline committed Hara-Kiri.

Central to this debacle was old war horse Gary Neville. The 34-year-old fullback was once one of the world’s best in his position. Now, bereft of pace and devoid of sharpness, the Red Devils’ captain cut a sorry figure as he was continually torn apart on his flank.

This was exposed for Gamba’s first goal, as a lightning quick move left him trailing in Masato Yamazaki’s footsteps as the midfielder stroked the ball home. Two years ago, Neville would have been across in a flash, snuffing out the move in its infancy. Over a year on the sidelines has put paid to that.

For Sunday’s final, Sir Alex Ferguson will not allow sentimentality to cloud his judgement and 18-year-old Brazilian flyer Rafael Da Silva is set to come back into the fold.

He will be joined by Michael Carrick and Thursday’s two goal super sub Wayne Rooney as two other bastions of the club, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, make way.

Sadly for these tremendous servants to the game, this will be the pattern from now on as the Scottish manager swaps something old for something new.


FORM GUIDE

Manchester United:

18th December vs. Gamba Osaka (N) won 5-3 (CLUB WORLD CUP)

13th December vs. Tottenham Hotspur (A) drew 0-0 (PREM)

10th December vs. Aalborg BK (H) drew 2-2 (CHAMP LG)

6th December vs. Sunderland (H) won 1-0 (PREM)

3rd December vs. Blackburn Rovers (H) won 5-3 (CARLING CUP)

LDU Quito:

17th December vs. Pachuca (N) won 2-0 (CLUB WORLD CUP)

7th December vs. Macará (H) won 4-3 (PRIM A ECUADOR)

3rd December vs. El Nacional (A) drew 1-1 (PRIM A ECUADOR)

30th November vs. Deportivo Quito (A) lost 2-0 (PRIM A ECUADOR)

23rd November vs. Barcelona (H) won 2-1 (PRIM A ECUADOR)


TEAM NEWS

LDU Quito:

Wednesday’s feisty encounter with Pachuca hasn’t left a mark on Edgardo Bauza’s squad, as the Ecuadorians come into this game with a full quota of players.

Last starting XI (vs. Pachuca): Cevallos, Araujo, Calle,  Bolaños, Urrutia, Reasco (Larrea 90), Calderón, Araujo, Bieler (Navia 78), Manso, Campos.
Subs Not Used: Dominguez, Viteri, Obregón, Delgado, Edder Vaca, Danny Vaca, Chango, Ambrosi, Suárez, Espinosa.

Squad: Cevallos, Domínguez, Viteri, Araujo, Calle,  Bolaños, Urrutia, Reasco, Calderón, Araujo, Bieler, Manso, Campos, Obregón, Delgado, Edder Vaca, Danny Vaca, Navia, Larrea, Chango, Ambrosi, Suarez, Espinosa.

Possible starting XI: Cevallos, Araujo, Calle,  Bolaños, Urrutia, Reasco, Calderón, Araujo, Bieler, Manso, Campos.


Manchester United:

Sir Alex Ferguson will be happy to see that Dimitar Berbatov (virus) is ready to take a place on the United bench. Nemanja Vidic (calf) is also carrying a minor injury and may not be risked. Dutch veteran Edwin Van der Sar might also be rested with the Boxing Day trip to Stoke City in mind.

Wayne Rooney’s goal scoring cameo against Gamba proved his fitness after a knock in training. Ben Foster (broken finger), Wes Brown (ankle) and Owen Hargreaves (knee) are unavailable for selection.

Last starting XI (vs. Gamba Osaka): Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic (Evans 69), Evra, Nani, Anderson, Scholes (Fletcher 67), Ronaldo, Giggs, Tevez (Rooney 73).
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Rafael Da Silva, O'Shea, Carrick, Gibson, Park, Welbeck, Amos.

Squad: Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Amos, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Rafael Da Silva, O'Shea, Evra, Nani, Anderson, Scholes, Carrick, Gibson, Park, Fletcher, Ronaldo, Giggs, Tevez, Welbeck, Berbatov, Rooney.

Possible starting XI: Kuszczak, Evra, Evans, Ferdinand, Rafael, Park, Ronaldo, Carrick, Fletcher, Tevez, Rooney.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

LDU Quito: In a Liga team lacking star quality, Luis Bolaños shines brightly. The pacy winger was a key component in the side’s rise to Libertadores champions, tearing any opposition apart with his trickery and exuberance. Chucho has also brought his shooting boots with him to Japan, netting the second goal against Pachuca with a screamer of a free kick. If he can repeat this moment of brilliance, United could be in for a surprise.

Manchester United: Rarely a day goes by without Cristiano Ronaldo hitting the headlines. There’s been no exception this week as the world’s newspapers brimmed with fresh reports regarding a move to Real Madrid. Ronaldo swatted the rumours away with a goal scoring performance against Gamba and a statement declaring his commitment to the club after the match. If he gets on the score sheet once more against LDU, it can only be good news for the United faithful.


PREDICTION

If the Reds go out to prove wrong those who doubted their enthusiasm for this competition, then the club will be crowned world champions for a second time.

Los Albos are a dangerous proposition, though, so any drop in commitment will be punished by the Ecuadorians.

Unluckily for them, I can’t see Sir Alex Ferguson failing to charge his players up for the final.

LDU Quito 0-2 Manchester United

Matt Monaghan