Established order prevails at Club World Cup as minnows make little impact
MIAMI, June 27 (Reuters) - The occasional threat of an upset result at the Club World Cup handed hope to the minnows of the world game but in the end the established order prevailed at the conclusion of the first round of the tournament in the U.S.
All but three of the teams through to the knockout stages are from Europe and South America with the field for the last-16 settled after the last group-stage matches on Thursday.
Among the last to qualify was Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal, but the Riyadh-based side is littered with players expensively purchased from European clubs like the Portugal internationals Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo, former Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly and ex-Brazil international Malcom.
Also through are Monterrey from Mexico and Inter Miami, where Lionel Messi is the kingpin in a side filled with former Barcelona stalwarts.
But for the rest, it was a disappointing return from clubs from other continents.
Al-Hilal held Real Madrid to a draw in their opening game and won a decisive clash with Pachuca of Mexico on Thursday to advance, but it was one of only two matches won by Asian clubs in the first round out of a total of 12 played.
Africa had similarly disappointing statistics. Its four representatives went home with a combined total of two wins in 12 outings.
'It is a big step up for the players,' said Miguel Cardoso of South Africa champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who collected four points but still finished third in Group F.
'The level of competition is just that little bit higher than what the players are used to,' the coach added.
'These experiences will stay with us hopefully for the coming games we play,' said Seattle Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer as his side make a quick return to Major League Soccer action at Austin on Saturday after playing Atletico Madrid, Botafogo and European champions Paris St Germain.
'There were a lot of similarities in the style and approach to the game between us and the powerful clubs we played against. But you have to factor in that their players are playing at a much higher level.'
Egypt's Al Ahly and Tunisia's Esperance also brought plenty of fans and helped create atmosphere in the large stadiums but went home without achieving their ambition of progressing to the last-16.
'The moment that you drop a little bit your level against this quality of opponents, you pay a price,' added Jose Riveiro, coach of Cairo giants Al Ahly who had a rollicking 4-4 draw with Porto in their last group game.
But he said competing at the Club World Cup was a special experience.
'The players have the opportunity to showcase their talent and a fantastic platform to do it.
'It's a special occasion for sure something that, well, you don't always have the opportunity to be involved in,' Riveiro said.
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