Liverpool learn draw fate
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Article summary
Liverpool FC will face Costa Rican or Australian opposition in the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Championship.
Article body
European champions Liverpool FC will start the 2005 FIFA Club World Championship with a semi-final match against either Deportivo Saprissa of Costa Rica or Australia's Sydney FC.
Seeded teams
The CONCACAF and Australasian champions meet in the quarter-finals, with a match against the English side the reward. Should the UEFA Champions League holders will triumph in the semi-final on 15 December in Yokohama, they could face either the as-yet-unknown African and Asian champions, or the other seeded team, recently-crowned Copa Libertadores winners São Paulo FC in the same venue.
New format
The competition has replaced the European/South American Cup - a trophy last won by Porto FC which Liverpool never lifted - with representatives from all six footballing confederations taking part. It takes place between 11-18 December, with matches in three cities: Tokyo, Yokohama and Toyota.
Second draw
The draw is the second in 24 hours for Liverpool, who learned whom they will meet in the third qualifying round of the Champions League should they complete an aggregate win against FBK Kaunas. They currently lead that tie 3-1 going into Tuesday's second leg and Anfield, with either Albania's KF Tirana or PFC CSKA Sofia of Bulgaria then lying between them and a place in the group stage.
