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Porto wins Toyota Cup
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-12-13 09:37
European champion FC Porto won the Toyota Cup on Sunday, defeating Colombia's
Once Caldas 8-7 in a penalty-kick shootout in a game between the top club teams
from Europe and South America.
Pedro Emanuel had the winning goal for his Portuguese team on a cold and
dreary night, ending a game that was scoreless after regulation and 30 minutes
of overtime.
South American club
champion Once Caldas goalkeeper Juan Carlos Henao reacts after failing to
block a goal in a penalty shootout in the Toyota Cup Intercontinental
soccer championship against European club champion FC Porto in Yokohama,
Japan, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2004. FC Porto defeated Once Caldas 8-7 and
captured the final Tokyota Cup.
[AP] |
European teams have won this annual
event 13 times, one more than the South Americans. The winner is unofficially
regarded as the world's best club team.
Emanuel's low shot went under the arms of Once Caldas goalkeeper Juan Carlos
Henao. Tied 7-7 in the shootout, Once defender Jhon Edwin Garcia shot over the
crossbar before Emanuel struck.
"It's a great feeling to be the No. 1 team and we knew it would be
difficult," Porto midfielder Maniche said.
Japan has hosted the Toyota Cup since 1981 and will host the 2005 and 2006
editions of the revamped World Club Championship, which will feature a club from
each of soccer's six confederations.
Once Caldas pulled off a big upset in the Copa Libertadores in July, beating
six-time champion Boca Juniors in a penalty-kick shootout to become only the
second Colombian team to win South America's premier club trophy.
Fresh off a victory over Chelsea in the Champions League, Porto dominated
regulation and overtime.
Porto's Benni McCarthy, who scored the winning goal in Tuesday's 2-1 win over
Chelsea, had numerous chances. The South African sent a long shot off the goal
post midway through the second half. Earlier in the half, he beat Henao when he
picked up a loose ball in the penalty area but the referee ruled offside.
Porto has struggled since the departure of Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho, who
led the team to UEFA Cup and Champions League victories in consecutive seasons.
After Mourinho left, Porto sold a handful of key players.
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