FIFA World Club Championship – TP Mazembe vs. Internacional – Full Time Report (Part 1)
The Congolese side was ready to face the Brazilian champions Internacional, as both of them were ready to face each other in Abu Dhabi for the FIFA World Club Championship semi final. Both the sides played their best teams because
of the important game. The Brazilian side was wearing all red while Mazembe were playing in all white. The Africans looked to be confident before the game as they recently won a game against the Mexican side Pachuca.
The Brazilians were the ones who kicked off on the Middle East soil. They looked to be very strong from the start of the game and it was during the first minute that they went on for scoring a goal. However, the African defence
was not very easy to penetrate and they defended really well.
TP Mazembe’s coach Lamine N’Diaye decided not to take any chances while playing against a tough Brazilian side so he played his first team goalkeeper Muteba Kidiaba. Kidiaba definitely had one of his best nights between the two
poles as he was later awarded as man of the match. However, the African club’s defence was quite phenomenal and backed him up throughout the game. Kiritsho Kasusula was played on the right flank as a full back while Miala Nkulukuta featured on the other flank.
Joel Kimwaki played as a centre back. The Africans came out with an unknown strategy as their coach decided to play only three defenders. It was only Kimwaki, who was being aided by two defenders and they did not miss their defensive duties despite the fact
that they made runs forward from the flanks.
With only three defenders being played, Lamine N’Diaye did not take any chances and played two holding midfielders right behind a centre midfielder. Mbenza Bedi and Kazembe Mihayo were the two holding midfielders who paired up
right behind Milota Kabangu, who was playing as a centre midfielder for the first time. With a box-to-box player like Milota Kabangu, all the Africans needed was a striking force and that came in the shape of Given Singuluma and Ngandu Kasongo. With these
two playing up front in a very odd 3-2-1-2-2 formation, they were aided by two midfielders on the flanks. Amia Ekanga and Dioko Kaluyituka were given that job as both of them are blessed with immense pace.
On the other hand, the Brazilian club’s coach, Celso Roth played his favourite 4-4-2. With two holding midfielders’ right in the centre of the pitch and two wingers, two strikers were played up front to change the cause of the
game by scoring goals. Internacional’s number 1 goalkeeper Renan featured between the two poles and he was aided by four defenders. Bolivar was the one who played on the right as a full back while Indio played on the left. Nei and Kleber were played as the
centre backs for the Brazilian side. Wilson Mathias and Pablo Guinazu played right in the centre of the pitch as the two holding midfielders; however, they both kept on switching places as they took turns to go in front to play an attacking role. Andres D’Alessandro
and Tinga played on the wings. The two strikers were Alecsandro and Rafael Sobis, but none of them could really do much against the fabulous African defence.
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