Monday, December 17, 2007

AC Milan beats Boca Juniors to win Club World Cup

Italian club AC Milan's Kaka (L) and Filippo Inzaghi kiss the trophy after their victory over Argentine club Boca Juniors at the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2007 final soccer match in Yokohama, south of Tokyo December 16, 2007. (Xinhua Photo)

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BEIJING, Dec. 17 -- Kaka led Italy's AC Milan to a 4-2 victory over Argentina's Boca Juniors in the Club World Club final in Yokohama yesterday.

The Brazilian set up two goals for Filippo Inzaghi and scored a wonderful solo effort to give the European champion a record fourth club world title.

"I'm really satisfied," Kaka said. "This was the only trophy I wanted that was missing and I can't put my feelings into words. I've managed to win all the trophies that I thought would be difficult to win."

Milan avenged its penalty shootout defeat to Boca in the 2003 Toyota Cup, the forerunner to the Club World Cup.

Milan played the last 13 minutes with 10 men after Georgia defender Kakha Kaladze was sent off for a harsh tackle on Leandro Gracian.

Kaka, who is favorite to win the FIFA World Player of the Year award today, cut in from the left and teased Jonatan Maidana before slipping the ball under goalkeeper Mauricio Caranta to put Milan ahead 3-1 in the 61st.

The Brazilian had caused similar panic in the 21st by running at the Boca defense before crossing for Inzaghi to sidefoot into an empty net for the opener.

Rodrigo Palacio equalized a minute later with a header at the near post from a cross by Claudio Morel Rodriguez.

Defender Alessandro Nesta scored a rare goal in the 50th to put Milan 2-1 ahead after Boca failed to clear a free kick from the right by Andrea Pirlo.

Inzaghi shot into an empty net in the 71st after another pass from Kaka for Milan's fourth goal.

Massimo Ambrosini scored an own goal in the 85th before Boca substitute Pablo Ledes-ma was sent off in the dying stages for a tackle on Kaka.

Milan won the club world title in 1969, 1989 and 1990.

The Serie A giant picked up US$5 million prize money for the victory and became the first European team to win the revamped competition.

Brazil's Internacional downed Barcelona 1-0 in last year's final, and Sao Paulo beat Liverpool by the same margin in 2005.

Earlier, Japan's Urawa Reds defeated Tunisia's Etoile Sahel on penalties to claim third place after the game finished 2-2 in regulation.

(Source: Shanghai Daily/ Agencies)

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