2012

In the prime of his career, Asia's newly crowned player of the year could be preparing for a dream move to Europe. Instead, Lee Keun-Ho is swapping his football studs for army boots.

Lee, 27, scored during Ulsan's defeat to Monterrey in the quarter-finals and his involvement in the intercontinental showpiece capped an outstanding season in which he helped his team sweep unbeaten to the AFC Champions League trophy.

The goal-scoring winger netted four times in his team's successful campaign as Ulsan became Asian champions for the first time, earning the tournament's Most Valued Player award in the process.

But instead of following ex-Manchester United star Park Ji-Sung and Park Chu-Young to Europe, Lee is embarking on a two-year stint of military service -- a loss Ulsan coach Kim Ho-Gon lamented this week.

"He is indispensable," the Asian coach of the year said when asked by AFP how much Lee would missed, adding: "He has the capability to score goals."

Lee will drop down to the K-League's second tier, turning out for military team Sangju Sangmu Phoenix during his term of service.

Kim dismissed suggestions that Ulsan's disappointing sixth place at the Club World Cup was because players' morale was dented by seeing Lee and team-mates Lee Jae-Seong and Lee Ho leave for national service.

"It didn't have any impact on their mood because they have a duty to the state," he said following Ulsan's loss to Hiroshima.

All able-bodied Korean men must perform national service and while the interruption sometimes proves career-ending for professionals, Kim insisted the players would be back.

"They will play in the military team and then they will come back to the top league teams," he said.

After receiving Asian football's highest individual honour at a ceremony last month, Lee Keun-Ho insisted he had no regrets about embarking on military service, despite having to put on hold his dream to play in Europe.

"I made a decision.... This is the best time for me to go to military service," he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur. "It doesn't mean I quit playing."

South Korea's compulsory military service proved problematic for Park Chu-Young earlier this year, when he was dropped from the national team for delaying his call-up by obtaining a 10-year residency visa for Monaco.

Corinthians coach Tite admitted his side struggled under the weight of expectation after labouring to a 1-0 semi-final victory over Al Ahly in a "life or death" Club World Cup semi-final.

A solitary goal from centre-forward Paolo Guerrero was enough for the Copa Libertadores winners to overcome the Egyptian outfit and reach Sunday's final, likely to be a heavyweight clash against European champions Chelsea.

"The players felt a significant weight of responsibility," said Tite, seeking to end European dominance of the Japan showpiece.

"The history of Club World Cup games show there is a lot of psychological pressure (on the favourites)," he added.

Sao Paolo side Corinthians dominated possession in the first half on Wednesday but created few goal-scoring opportunities, Guerrero heading in the only clear-cut chance on the half-hour mark.

It was a different story after the break as the dominant African champions surged forward in a desperate search for an equaliser but Corinthians held on for a narrow win.

"We knew we had to get a second goal but there was an emotional factor which existed," Tite explained of his team's poor second-half showing in front of more than 20,000 Corinthians fans.

"It was a life or death match -- a single game that defined your future in the tournament. We weren't able to get the second goal so that encouraged Al Ahly," he said.

Chelsea are favourites to win the competition but the English Premier League club must first defeat Mexican side Monterrey in Thursday's semi-final.

Striker Emerson said Corinthians would be doing everything in their power to take the intercontinental championship back to Brazil.

"The dream of everyone is to return home with the title," he said.

"We are happy to reach the final but that is not just our goal. We did not come to be second."

The city of Yokohama is staging Sunday's final.

Interim Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez said Wednesday his players were reaping the benefits of changes he had brought to the team's style of play, on the eve of a Club World Cup showdown with Monterrey.

"We've tried to change little things, things we could improve," said the Spaniard, who replaced Champions League-winning coach Roberto Di Matteo last month.

"Tactically we've tried to be more compact and press high," he added ahead of the Blues semi-final clash in Japan with the CONCACAF champions from Mexico.

Chelsea come into the intercontinental tournament on the back of an away win at Sunderland on Saturday, which ended a poor run of league results, including two goalless draws and a loss in Benitez's first three games in charge.

"When you change manager, players want to prove that they should be picked for every game and that's been the situation," Benitez told a press conference in Yokohama, according to quotes published on the Chelsea website.

"In the last two games we've played much better, created more chances and that's good for the confidence of the players."

Benitez, who led Inter Milan to glory at the Club World Cup in 2010, said he was taking nothing for granted at the Japan showpiece.

"I cannot refer to the final, because we have to win the semi-finals (first)," he said when asked about his chances in what would be a mouth-watering meeting with Brazilian giants Corinthians in Sunday's final.

"I intend to win, so I will try to use the best team possible for winning the game, and after that we will think about the other one," he added.

Corinthians await the winners of Thursday's match after the Sao Paulo outfit defeated Al Ahly of Egypt 1-0 in the other semi-final on Wednesday.

Benitez said he expected Monterrey, who cruised past Asian champions Ulsan Hyundai 3-1 in the quarter-finals, to be tough opponents.

"They're a good team who can play the passing game and move the ball easily, but at the same time they can play more direct," he said.

"It will be an interesting test for us, we need to manage the tempo of the game and see if they can match us physically.

"They can change tactics as well during the game, change shape and play different formations, so the coach is doing a good job."

Monterrey coach Victor Vucetich said he was unbowed by the prospect of taking on the English Premier League outfit, despite their status as European champions.

"We want to show our potential against them and write history," he said.

Brazilian giants Corinthians overcame Egypt's Al Ahly 1-0 in the last four of the Club World Cup in Japan on Wednesday to set up a likely final against European champions Chelsea.

A solitary goal from centre-forward Paolo Guerrero was enough to see the Copa Libertadores winners progress, but it was nowhere near a convincing performance.

Much had been expected from the South American champions, including Chelsea transfer target Paulinho, and the Brazilians dominated possession in the first half with Al Ahly happy to let their opponents knock the ball around.

However, they were unable to turn possession into chances and goal-scoring opportunities were few and far between during the opening period.

Corinthians midfielder Douglas was the first to go close, the number ten's shot from the edge of the box creeping past goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy's right-hand post on nine minutes.

Moments later Ramy Rabia missed a golden opportunity to put Al Ahly in front, heading wide from an unmarked position as the Corinthians' defence stepped forward and failed to catch him offside.

The Brazilian giants breathed a sigh of relief and regrouped, continuing to see most of the ball and on the half-hour mark the Sao Paulo club had their breakthrough, with Douglas again in the thick of the action.

The left-footed player floated an inch-perfect cross into the box which Guerrero headed across goal into the bottom corner, giving Ekramy no chance and sending the crowds of Corinthians fans into raptures.

Corinthians pressed for a second as midfield dynamo Paulinho started to make inroads into the opposition half, but a second goal inside the first 45 minutes was not forthcoming.

In the second half it was all Al Ahly as the Egyptians surged forward, desperately looking for an equaliser.

Midfielder Ahmed Fathi wasted the best chance with a low shot into the side netting as the Corinthians defence started to look increasingly uncomfortable.

As the clock ran down a spirited Al Ahly began to send the ball into the opposition's box at every opportunity but they were unable to level the game.

The South American champions will probably face Chelsea in Sunday's final in Yokohama, though the English Premier League club first need to dispose of Mexican side Monterrey in the other semi-final on Thursday.

Earlier at Toyota Stadium Wednesday, J-League winners Sanfrecce Hiroshima beat the AFC Champions League holders Ulsan Hyundai 3-2 to secure fifth place at the intercontinental showpiece.

The Japanese champions went 1-0 down, but bounced back to take a 3-1 lead, thanks to two goals from forward Hisato Sato, before conceding a late consolation goal.

J-League winners Sanfrecce Hiroshima defeated Asian champions Ulsan Hyundai of South Korea 3-2 to seal fifth place at the Club World Cup in Japan on Wednesday.

The coaches of both teams had billed the contest as an ideal opportunity to showcase Asian football to the world, and neither disappointed in a lively encounter in which Hiroshima came from behind to win.

Ulsan had the better of the first half, going close twice before taking the lead on 17 minutes due to a defensive blooper that Hiroshima defender Hiroki Mizumoto would rather forget.

As goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa rushed off his line to collect a knocked-down pass, Mizumoto inexplicably side-footed the ball past him into a empty net.

The blunder gave Ulsan confidence and the South Koreans streamed forward at every opportunity.

However, it was Hiroshima who scored the game's second goal. On 35 minutes Satoru Yamagishi pounced to poke the ball in from close range after goalkeeper Kim Young-Kwang had expertly saved a Hisato Sato header.

Ulsan centre-forward Kim Shin-Wook rattled the crossbar shortly before half-time as the South Koreans continued to have the better opportunities, but Hiroshima hung on until the break.

Buoyed by still being on level terms, the Japanese champions started the second half the brighter.

They got their reward after 56 minutes when Sato, top scorer in the J-League last season, beat his marker to the ball and got the faintest of touches to direct it past goalkeeper Kim.

As Ulsan pressed forward looking for the equaliser they were left exposed at the back, and with less than 20 minutes to go Sato tapped in when the ball ricocheted and fell kindly to him. It was his third goal of the tournament.

There was no way back at a largely empty 36,000-capacity Toyota Stadium for the recently-crowned AFC Champions League winners, who scored a consolation deep into injury time through Lee Yong.

Hiroshima coach Hajime Moriyasu said: "It has been a tight schedule for us since winning the J-League but the players had the guts and spirit to play to the end of the game.

"It was a great performance. I would like to really commend my players, many of whom are very tired."

Ulsan coach Kim Ho-Gon said: "Their organisation was very good and their balance between offence and defence was good. They had speed on the counter-attack.

"We were able to create chances but we weren't able to take them all. We also weren't able to prevent Hiroshima's offence. That is why we lost."

Hiroshima were beaten by Egypt's Al Ahly in the quarter-finals while Ulsan lost to Mexican side Monterrey.

Ulsan finish sixth and part-timers Auckland City took home the wooden spoon after losing the opening game of the intercontinental championship.

English football enjoyed the most heart-stopping climax to a top-flight season ever in 2012, and yet a spate of racism cases drew a pall over the Premier League as the year came to a close.

Injury-time goals by Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero on the season's final day saw Manchester City pip Manchester United to the title on goal difference, ending their 44-year wait for the English crown in sensational fashion.

Chelsea also toasted a golden year, beating League Cup winners Liverpool 2-1 in the FA Cup final and then edging Bayern Munich on penalties to become the first London club to taste glory in the Champions League.

It was not enough to spare coach Roberto Di Matteo from the sack, however.

The Italian was shown the exit in November with Chelsea tumbling towards the Champions League trapdoor alongside a City team who went out of the competition in the group phase for the second season running.

That left United and Arsenal as England's only representatives in the last 16, sparking concerns that the nation is fading as a European force after providing eight of the competition's last 16 finalists.

As well as failing in Europe, City had fallen six points behind United in the league as Christmas approached, but nothing could erase memories of the unbridled joy that erupted at the Etihad Stadium on May 13.

Roberto Mancini's side, runners-up in 2011, needed only to match United's result at Sunderland to claim the title but as stoppage time arrived, they trailed 2-1 to Queens Park Rangers and United were 1-0 up.

Dzeko equalised, and with United's players anxiously awaiting news on the Sunderland pitch, Aguero drove in a 94th-minute winner -- drawing a memorable cry of "Aguerooooo!" from Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler -- to deliver City from the huge shadow cast by their cross-town rivals.

Mancini called it a "crazy finish to a crazy season," while City captain Vincent Kompany observed: "Miracles do happen in Manchester. But on this side of the road, this time."

Another Italian coach was celebrating wildly six days later, Di Matteo screaming "I won it!" at Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich as he scaled the steps to receive the Champions League trophy at Munich's Allianz Arena.

Didier Drogba was the match-winner, heading in an 88th-minute equaliser to force extra time and then stroking home the decisive spot-kick, before leaving for China after a glorious eight-year spell at Stamford Bridge.

Di Matteo, a temporary replacement for the sacked Andre Villas-Boas, was handed the job on a permanent basis but despite several high-profile signings, an alarming dip in form in the autumn cost him his job prematurely.

The year provided many striking images -- not least the sight of Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba lying prone on the turf at White Hart Lane after suffering a cardiac arrest in an FA Cup tie at Tottenham Hotspur.

Despite his heart stopping for 78 minutes, rapid action from the emergency services helped the 24-year-old to make a miraculous recovery, and although he was forced to retire, his story captivated the nation.

Away from the on-pitch drama, 2012 was a year in which English football showed its dark side.

The country's footballers were compared unfavourably with the stars who shone at the London Olympics and the recurring accusations of racism that cropped up throughout the year did nothing to restore their reputation.

Luis Suarez's feud with Patrice Evra resurfaced in February when the Liverpool striker refused to shake hands with the player he had racially abused the previous October -- an incident that had seen him suspended for eight games.

Chelsea captain John Terry was also banned, for four matches, after being accused of a similar offence towards QPR's Anton Ferdinand.

Referee Mark Clattenburg, meanwhile, was cleared over allegations he abused Chelsea's Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel after the Football Association declared he had "no case to answer".

It was not confined to the pitch, either, with each weekend seeming to throw up a new story about a fan abusing a player on Twitter or performing monkey gestures in the crowd.

Stripped of the England captaincy over the Ferdinand affair, Terry retired from international football.

Fabio Capello subsequently resigned as national coach, but his successor, Roy Hodgson, led England to a creditable quarter-final showing at Euro 2012.

The Premier League trumpeted the arrival of a colossal new domestic television deal worth £3.018 billion ($4.832 billion, 3.749 billion euros) in June, but more scandals could tarnish its appeal in 2013.

Chelsea's Brazilian star Oscar says the bitter memory of a shock semi-final defeat at the Club World Cup two years ago makes him even more determined the lift the trophy this year.

The attacking midfielder was on the receiving end of one of the biggest upsets in the history of the intercontinental championships when Brazil's Internacional lost 2-0 to Democratic Republic of Congo minnows TP Mazembe in the UAE in 2010.

It meant Internacional missed out on a final against Italian giants Inter Milan, who were then coached by Oscar's current coach at Chelsea, Rafael Benitez.

"It was unbelievable at the time, and what made it worse was the fact that we knew we had the quality to win that game and then beat Inter as our team was very strong," the 21-year-old midfielder said.

"It really was a major disappointment.

"We were all surprised because we knew our team was superior to theirs.

"Mazembe scored to go 1-0 up, and while we did everything in our power to try and secure a draw, it wasn't possible," added Oscar, who has featured in all but one of Chelsea's English Premier League matches this season.

Inter went on to defeat TP Mazembe 3-0 while Internacional had to settle for third place with a 4-2 win over Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma, a match which Oscar sat out.

"I didn't take part in the second game, but I remember it well because we were all feeling so down after losing to Mazembe," he told Chelsea's website.

"All we were thinking about was meeting Inter, who had already qualified, in the final, and we were confident we could beat them."

Oscar said the experience meant he would be completely focused on beating Mexican side Monterrey in Yokohama on Thursday, and would not be distracted by the prospect of a glamour final against Brazilian giants Corinthians.

"I have learnt from past experience with Internacional that you have to take one game at a time," he said.

"If we get to the final, which I hope we do, and have to face Corinthians, it will be great for me personally to play against a Brazilian side, but I will be doing my best to help Chelsea win the game."

Chelsea come into the tournament on the back of a win at Sunderland which ended a poor run, including two draws and a defeat in Benitez's first three games in charge.

They became the first Champions League holders to exit the competition at the group stage last week, giving added incentive to their first foray into the club showpiece.

"I think we, as players, are all taking this competition very seriously," added Oscar, who was signed in the summer.

"It's a very important trophy for every club and for the career of every individual."

Corinthians play Egypt's Al Ahly in Toyota Wednesday for a place in Sunday's final in Yokohama.

Legions of Corinthians fans are set to raise the roof at the Club World Cup in Japan on Wednesday when the Brazilian giants line up in the semi-finals against Egypt's Al Ahly.

The intercontinental showpiece has been notable so far for the lack of spectators entering the turnstiles, with only 25,000 watching the opening match at the 68,000-capacity Yokohama International Stadium last week.

That figure was all the more disappointing because it featured the J-League winners Sanfrecce Hiroshima, representing the host nation, although it did also consist of part-timers Auckland City.

Toyota Stadium, capacity 36,000, appeared marginally less bare with around 20,000 watching Sunday's quarter-final between Ulsan Hyundai and Monterrey, and just over 27,000 taking in Hiroshima's loss to Egypt's Al Ahly as the snow fell.

But the South American champions' opening match is expected to give attendances a much needed boost, with around 20,000 noisy supporters making the trip from Sao Paulo to see their idols, according to the club's website.

It follows dramatic scenes at Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport last week when some 15,000 fans turned up to wave off the Copa Libertadores winners, with some reportedly setting off fire extinguishers and blocking roads.

"We are feeling a very strong and heavy responsibility to the supporters," Tite, the coach, told a news conference in Toyota.

"Some supporters have left their families behind or quit their jobs just simply to be here and support Corinthians.

"The supporters have come so far but they are not here to put pressure on us. They are here to encourage us. They are here to rejoice and be happy.

"They should be appreciated because they can become part of the power of the team."

Corinthians take on seven-time African champions Al Ahly in Toyota for a place in Sunday's final where they may face European champions Chelsea.

Al Ahly were forced to play the home legs of their recent successful CAF Champions League campaign behind closed doors because of security concerns after February's Port Said stadium disaster in which more than 70 fans died.

However, coach Hossam El-Badry said his players would not be intimidated by the legions of boisterous Brazilian fans.

"It doesn't really matter how many people are watching us," he said. "We are motivated for this match. Our objective is to win."

The Brazilian Tite said Corinthians, who have been in Japan training and acclimatising to the cold conditions for a week, were relishing the opportunity to be named the best club side in the world.

"To be able to play in the Club World Cup is a precious opportunity for us," the 51-year-old said.

"If we perform our responsibilities then our dreams will come true."

Chelsea star Fernando Torres has revealed the inspiration behind his medal-laden career -- not Pele, Diego Maradona or Johan Cruyff, but a Japanese cartoon called Captain Tsubasa.

The Spanish striker, who has a World Cup, two European Championships and a Champions League title to his name, said his love for the game owes its origins to a popular manga animation he watched as a boy.

"I remember when I was a kid, we couldn't find the signal really well on TV, but everyone in school was talking about this cartoon about football, from Japan," he said.

"It was a series called Oliver y Benji in Spain, and in Japan it was Captain Tsubasa, and these two young players started as youth team players, got into the national team, won the World Cup, and moved to Barcelona and Bayern Munich, then moved to Europe, so it was like a dream.

"I started playing football because of this, and because my brother forced me, and I loved the cartoon," he added in comments published on the Chelsea website.

"I wanted to be Oliver, because he played out on the field and Benji was the goalkeeper. That was the first contact I had with Japan."

Torres's Chelsea will take on Monterrey in the semi-final of the Club World Cup in the Japanese city of Yokohama on Thursday.

Monterrey winger Jesus Corona says the chance to become the first team from Central and North America to reach a Club World Cup final is a huge incentive as the Mexicans prepare to take on Chelsea.

The 19-year-old winger, who has just a handful of appearances for the CONCACAF champions, was drafted in at short notice to face Ulsan Hyundai in the quarter-finals after prolific striker Humberto Suazo was ruled out with injury.

He made an instant impact against the Asian champions on Sunday, notching an early goal to set Monterrey on their way to overcoming last year's disappointing exit at the same stage.

Now the youngster is relishing the opportunity to dump European champions Chelsea out of the Japan showpiece when they meet in the semi-finals at Yokohama International Stadium on Thursday.

"I always watch them on TV and it's a terrific incentive to be playing a team like that," he told FIFA.com.

"We know that no CONCACAF team has ever reached the FIFA Club World Cup final before and that's going to spur us on ever more."

CONCACAF is the governing body for football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean.