JEDDAH, 15 December 2005 — Two of the best from Sao Paulo striker Amoroso enabled the South American champions beat Asian powerhouse and Saudi Arabian football giants Al-Ittihad 3-2 yesterday in Tokyo to reach the FIFA’s Club World Championship final.
Sao Paulo goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni was also on target in a pulsating game that the Brazilian club never seriously looked like losing, despite Ittihad’s stupendous heart in taking the match to their opponents.
“Ittihad were very physical and made it difficult for us,” said Sao Paulo coach Paulo Autuori. “Amoroso’s second was a great goal and in the second half we were the better team.” European champions Liverpool take on Costa Rica’s Deportivo Saprissa in today’s second semifinal in Yokohama. The final takes place in Yokohama on Sunday. Ittihad will play the losers of the Liverpool-Saprissa game in Sunday’s third-place playoff.
Amoroso gave Sao Paulo the lead in the 16th minute, finding space for a right-foot shot that took a sharp deflection and trickled past goalkeeper Mabrouk Zaid.
But the Ittihad equalized in the 33rd minute when captain Muhammad Nur bundled in the loose ball after Sao Paulo goalkeeper Rogerio had parried Mohammed Kallon’s initial effort.
Amoroso restored Sao Paulo’s advantage two minutes into the second half, tucking in Real Madrid-bound Cicinho’s low cross from close range after a well-worked move. The ball streaked past a line of defenders and Zaid across the goalmouth as it left Cicinho’s foot. And the opportunistic Amoroso cut in through the line to slot the ball home.
Rogerio scored from the penalty spot in the 57th minute to make it 3-1 and give the goalkeeper his 53rd goal since his first-team debut for Sao Paulo in 1993.
Defender Hamad Al-Montashari pulled one back for Al Ittihad with a 68th-minute header but the Asian champions never quite had enough firepower to break down Sao Paulo for a third time.
“Our attitude in the first half was wrong,” said Autuori. “After we scored we just sat back and lost our shape. The players showed more urgency and application after the break.”
Ittihad coach Anghel Iordanescu was left fuming at French referee Alain Sars for waving away two penalty appeals. “I just wanted to go near him and tell him what a beautiful job he was doing,” the Romanian said sarcastically. “I had my own battle with him. If I look tired that’s the reason.
“With a little more courage and the same rest period before the match, we could have competed with Sao Paulo. I’m proud of my players. They gave absolutely everything.”
Many Ittihad supporters, here, were not that optimistic about their team’s chances before the start of the match. Some said: “It’s mission impossible” and they were countered by a confident bunch claiming, “We can make it!”
The final whistle brought these two camps together with all rapt in admiration of Ittihad’s performance, which came close to yet another stunner.
The Sao Paulo goal stunned the fans as everyone thought that it would open the floodgates, but the equalizer changed the atmosphere, from despair to hope, and people began cheering and singing.
But the twin strikes in the second half deflated Ittihad again, only for a brief tickle of optimism when the second came.
An elderly supporter said: “The dream ends, but we can walk with our heads held high. We had the opportunity to win, but should accept defeat. Congrats Sao Paulo, hard luck Ittihad.”
Mubark Al-Gabndy said: “The match was good, Ittihad did well. I was waiting for the equalizer, but this is the crazy part of football. We should not forget that we played against a strong team that is well organized.”
Ahmed Al-Shehri, with tears rolling down his eyes, said in a choked voice, “I love Ittihad and I believe in the players. The team did well, but some players made mistakes. We should prepare for a third place win.”
