FC Porto of Portugal defeated Once Caldas of
Colombia 8-7 in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw to win the last
edition of the Inter-continental Cup.
In an amazing penalty shootout each side scored seven and missed one
before Colombian defender John Edwin Garcia blasted over the bar, allowing
Pedro Emanuel to slot home the winner for the European champions.
It was Porto's second world title, following their triumph over Penarol
of Uruguay 2-1 in 1987 in heavy snow.
"I expected this game to be a tough match like this. But the last
champions are the only champions. I am so proud of that," said Porto
midfielder Maniche, who won the most valuable player's award despite
missing a shot in the penalty shootout.
The European champions controlled the game for most of regulation time.
South African striker Benni McCarthy, last year's Portuguese top
league goal scorer, missed the first big chance when his headed goal from
a free kick in the sixth minute was ruled offside.
Brazilian international striker Luis Fabiano's angled shot hit the bar
in the 17th minute and then his header was saved by Colombian keeper Juan
Carlos Henao one minute later.
The Porto side failed to cash in
on another golden chance in the 38th minute when Brazilian
international Diego's free kick from the middle of the Once Caldas field
flashed past Henao's left hand to hit the right post.
Luis Fabiano hit the rebound from close range, only to see it hit the
bar, then McCarthy followed it up with another shot which went over the
bar.
Once Caldas' best chance before the break came in the 44th minute
when Colombian international John Eduis Viafara was set free on the right
side for their first shot on goal, but the effort went narrowly wide.
Porto continued to threaten the Colombian goal in the second half, but
McCarthy had another goal ruled offside in the 60th minute, while his
sizzling shot again hit the bar six minutes later.
Shortly before the end of normal time, Henao showed fine reflexes to stop yet another McCarthy shot,
this time from close-range, to send the tie into extra time.
Porto suffered a major set back when keeper Vitor Baia, who was chosen
as UEFA's best goalkeeper last season, was stretchered off in the 104th minute to be
replaced by Nuno.
But the European side seemed to slow down against a defensive Colombian side in the latter half
of extra time, looking weary after having playing Chelsea in the Champions League on
Tuesday. The game petered out goalless before the drama of the penalty shootout.
(Agencies)