ABU DHABI — Al-Hilal coach Leonardo Jardim has urged
FIFA to reconsider the
Club World Cup format that sees the European and South
American champions play fewer matches than their rivals.
اضافة اعلان
Jardim, whose team face
Chelsea in the semi-finals at
Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium on Wednesday, said the odds are further stacked
against the other sides because of the congested schedule.
"It's unfair that some teams have to play four matches
in eight days and other teams are the best and only have to play two matches
and are well rested," Jardim told a press conference Tuesday.
"I think there should be better care with the schedule,
with more days to recover so teams from
Asia (and North and Central America)
have a better chance."
Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal, the record four-time Asian
champions, thrashed UAE Pro League winners Al-Jazira 6-1 in the second round on
Sunday, the biggest win in the competition's history.
Jardim, who led Monaco to the Ligue 1 title in 2017, said his
team benefited from playing an Al Jazira side that tired in the second half
having beaten AS Pirae of Tahiti just three days earlier.
"I'm sure that European teams, and in this case
Chelsea, they are always the favorites, no doubt about it, but they have an
extra advantage when we have just two days to recover," said Jardim.
"They have a full squad that is fresh. Our victory from
the other match is a reflection of two days earlier because Al Jazira had
played a game two days before.
"I think the game would have been different had Al
Jazira been rested."
African champions Al-Ahly take on Copa Libertadores winners
Palmeiras later on Tuesday in the first semi-final. Egyptian giants Al-Ahly
beat Mexico's Monterrey 1-0 on Saturday.
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