John Helm: Benson makes an early exit
John Helm: Benson makes an early exit
One of the drawbacks though is the number of participants – seven is a lopsided figure for any tournament and leads to a mish-mash of fixtures and almost a free passage to the final for the two best known teams (indeed the only well known teams) Barcelona and Estudiantes.
Besides the six already named clubs, Antlante of Mexico make up the numbers trying to emulate Manchester United’s success a year ago in Tokyo.
The Old Trafford club once lashed out £26m on Juan Sebastian Veron, money generally regarded to have proved wasteful, so it is interesting that the play-maker is the star turn in the ranks of the South American challengers.
His coach is also well remembered in these parts, the maverick schemer Alex Sabella who played for Sheffield United and Leeds United in the late seventies and early eighties.
The financial clout of the seven clubs is so disproportionate it will be a major surprise if Barcelona don’t add another trophy to the Nou Camp cabinet.
JUST in case you were in any doubt the M Booth who took part in the draw ceremony for the World Cup in Cape Town was Matthew, the centre back of the South African national team, not Mel of the Huddersfield Examiner.
They’re both big lads but I know which one I’d want in my back four and it wouldn’t be Mel!
