YOKOHAMA, Japan: Wayne Rooney came off the bench to score twice in a span of four minutes as European champion Manchester United defeated Japan’s Gamba Osaka 5-3 yesterday to advance to the final of the Club World Cup.
United will play South American champions Liga de Quito in Sunday’s final.
“The people got their money’s worth, that’s for sure,” United manager Alex Ferguson said. “Their movement on the ball was very good and it shows you much Japanese football has improved.” The English Premier Club’s first-half goals came in identical fashion, with Ryan Giggs corners from the right headed home by Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic and European Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo.
Gamba showed creditable attacking intent in the second half rather than settle for an honorable draw, and was rewarded when Masato Yamazaki finished expertly in the 74th minute from a well-worked move down the right flank, sparking a flood of goals.
United restored its two-goal buffer straight from the kickoff as Rooney scored with his first touch of the ball in the 75th minute. The England international chested down a pass from at the edge of the, shook off a defender and shot across the advancing keeper.
Darren Fletcher made it 4-1 in the 78th as the midfielder ghosted into the area to head home.
It was 5-1 just a minute later when Rooney slotted home, but Gamba refused to roll over and United keeper Edwin Van der Sar had to be sharp on a number of occasions to protect the advantage. Ferguson had high praise for Rooney.
“His movement, strength and penetration are very good,” Ferguson said. “The goal that really killed them was the third one.” Gamba playmaker Yasuhito Endo calmly converted a penalty in the 85th minute after fullback Gary Neville was adjudged to have used his arm in blocking an attempted cross.
Hideo Hashimoto rifled home a powerful shot in the final minute to enable the Asian champions to leave with heads high despite the loss.
In yesterday’s playoff for fifth place, forward Cristiano scored a superb goal in the seventh minute to give Australia’s Adelaide United a 1-0 win over Egypt’s Al Ahly.
After stripping an Al Ahly defender of the ball, Cristiano rifled a right-footed blast from the top of the area past a diving Al Ahly goalkeeper Amir Abdelhamid.
Beckham set to face Rangers in friendly
David Beckham is on course to play against Rangers in Glasgow at Ibrox in February after the Glasgow giants announced yesterday a friendly match against AC Milan.
Former England captain Beckham, 33, will begin a short-term loan spell with the Italian side in January during the Major League Soccer off-season.
The game against Rangers is due to take place on Feb. 4.
Rangers chief executive Martin Bain said yesterday: “We are delighted to announce AC Milan will be visiting Ibrox next February.
“With tickets going on sale this week, it is the ideal last-minute Christmas gift — and I know this match will really capture the imagination of our supporters. “Milan are a club with a rich history and tradition like Rangers — and with players like David Beckham, Ronaldinho and Kaka set to feature, I am sure there will be phenomenal interest in the game.
“David Beckham has arguably been the most famous footballer in the world in recent years, and supporters of all ages will be eager to see him in the flesh.” Rangers manager Walter Smith added: “AC Milan are one of the great European clubs, and our players will enjoy competing against the cream of Europe.”
