Four-time European champion Barcelona will take on the winner of the match between Esperance and Al Sadd in the semifinals of the Club World Cup football in Yokohama on Dec. 15, according to a draw on Thursday.
South American champion Santos, the other semifinals seed, will face the winner between CONCACAF champion Monterrey and the side which survives the only first-round match, in Toyota on Dec. 14. The first round will pit Oceanian champion Auckland City against ‘J'-League champion, representing host Japan, in Toyota on December 8.
The ‘J'-League title has been hotly contested by Kashiwa Reysol, Gamba Osaka, and Nagoya Grampus, who are locked within three points with three rounds to go before the final day on Dec. 3. The two quarterfinal matches will be held in Toyota on Dec. 11.
The schedule: First round: Dec. 8: AtToyota: Oceanian champion Auckland City (NZ) vs. ‘J'-League champion club (Jpn, to be decided). Quarterfinals: Dec. 11:At Toyota: CONCACAF champion Monterrey (Mex) vs. the Match 1 winner; African champion Esperance (Tun) vs. Asian champion Al Sadd (Qat).
Semifinals: Dec. 14:At Toyota: South American champion Santos (Bra) vs. Match 2 winner. Dec. 15:At Yokohama : European champion Barcelona (Esp) vs. Match 3 winner.
Final:Dec. 18: At Yokohama: Winner of match 5 vs. winner of match 6.
