2008 will end with a new World Champion, this time at the club level as the 5th edition of the FIFA Club World Cup is about to take flight. Last year, UEFA Champions League winner AC Milan took down Copa Libertadores champion Boca Juniors in the final to claim the trophy.



The FIFA Club World Cup is great because it provides the opportunity for the champions of FIFA's continental zones to play against each other and claim the title as World Champion. Considering the form of the traditional powers, this could be the year that a team outside of South America and Europe wins the title of World Champion. Let's look at the participating clubs and their chances at winning the tournament:

Waitakere United

The winners of the 07-08 Oceania Champions League aka O-League, the team from New Zealand makes their 2nd consecutive appearance in the FIFA Club World Cup. Their young attacking duo of Kiwi Allan Pierce and Brazilian Adriano Pimienta will be relied upon to lead Waitakere in this tournament. Pierce was the 07-08 O-League's leading goal scorer and Pimienta has massive experience seeing important minutes in the UEFA Champions League from his days at Swiss side FC Thun.
Prediction:
One and done.

Adelaide United FC

The Reds are making Australian club football history. They were the 1st Australian side to progress to the knockout stages of the Asian Champions League and the 1st Australian side to progress to the final. They were dominated by Japanese side Gamba Osaka in the final but advanced to the FIFA CWC as the highest non-Japanese club in Asia. Now they play Waitakere United in the play-in game led by The Reds all-time leader in goals and matches, Travis Dodd who could be in Europe soon. Their strength might be the back line with a couple of Brazilian wingbacks, Alemão on the right and Cássio on the left along with veteran centerbacks Saša Ognenovski and Ang Costanzo anchoring the defense.
Prediction:
They will beat Waitakere but get bounced by a familiar nemesis in Gamba Osaka in the quarters

Gamba Osaka

The recently crowned Asian club champions will be on home turf or at least in their own country for the FIFA CWC. The Japanese side stormed through the Asian Champions League going undefeated through the tournament and allowing only 3 goals in the knockout stage. The player of the tournament was their midfield general, Yasuhito Endo. The forward tandem of Brazilian Lucas and Masato Yamazaki will form a formidable attacking triumvirate with Endo.
Prediction:
A semi-final exit versus Manchester United. 3rd place would not be a surprise.

Al-Ahly

The Egyptian club side is the most decorated team in African football and at the turn of the century was named by Confederation of African Football as the African Club of the Century. Al-Ahly has the most appearances in the FIFA CWC with 3 and they were the 1st club to appear in consecutive tournaments. The braintrust of Al-Ahly consists of Portuguese coach Manuel Jose and midfield general and soon to be crowned African Footballer of the Year, Mohamed Aboutrika. They have the experience and cohesion to make history in the tournament.
Prediction:
1st non-European, non-South American team to reach the final

Part II will feature the heavy hitters as Pachuca CF, Liga De Quito, and Manchester United get analyzed.