European champs Bayern Munich made easy work of Guangzhou Evergrande yesterday in the semifinals of the FIFA Club World Cup, played in Morocco. Three goals within a seven-minute window (Franck Ribéry 40′, Mario Mandzukic 44′, Mario Götze 47) provided the final 3-0 margin.
Guangzhou coach Marcello Lippi previously gave his side a 1 percent chance of beating the German superpower. There’s no shame in losing to Bayern, of course. Evergrande — champions of Asia — will rule the roost as soon as it returns to China.
Bayern will play Saturday against either South American champs Atletico Mineiro or Moroccan champs Raja Casablanca. Let’s see if either of those teams manages to lose by fewer than three.
Sad to see them go. This tournament has generated the most interest in Chinese football seen in years.