Well done, how did you manage that ?
Had to beat Boca Juniors in the semis to go on to finals with Man U. Beat Boca 1-0 and beat Man U 2-0. In the Q-finals, beat North American champions Atlante (MEX) 2-1.
I had purchased several former world-class players/ rising world stars like Alan Dzagoev (Russia), Guti and Ryan Nelsen, mostly on free transfer (I was lucky in that sense. Usually most Asian sides, excluding the oil-rich middle east clubs do not have funds for massive transfers). Those signings shined at the Club WC (strangely, those international players put in much better performances in big matches rather than against K-League sides).
Against Boca Juniors, Boca played the semis a day after their league match (crazy schedule). We had 3 days to rest before the semis so I guess we had a great advantage. I exploited this weakness of Boca as we pressed really hard especially in the midfield and defense. We forced them to shoot from distances and that just didn't work out for them. We relied mainly on quick-paced counter attack and after a several near-successes we scored (Think it was Djagoev who scored). For the rest of the game we played ultra-defensively and saved the game.
Man U game was any harder. They came really close to scoring several times in the first 10 mins (I could only thank ****** finishing from Hernandez and Pandev/ Young). My plan was to go overlord and score a goal, then seal the game by going ultra-defensive. But after the first few mins I changed back to "contain" and sent midfielders back to press man u attack (I was hoping for penalties). Alan Djagoev then created another magic by exploiting a quick counter-attack and set up a goal which broke the deadlock. We scored again from a corner kicked by Guti and went up 2-0. Prior to the match, we had been practicing corners (I always prefer sending corners to the far post, where our best headers, two center backs, wait for Guti's delivery. scored numerous times from sending it to the far post) and that worked out. U should rely on set-pieces when facing a much stronger opponent (when even quick counter-attacks are risky). I should admit that I was lucky not to concede due to Man U's poor finishing. But Man U didn't make as many chances as they should against teams like us. Our defence was well-coordinated and solid.