There will be pride on the line when Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Mamelodi Sundowns meet in the match for fifth place at the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2016. The Asian and African champions, who have never faced off before, are looking to bounce back after their respective disappointments in the second round. FIFA.com looks ahead to the action.
The match *Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors - Mamelodi Sundowns, Suita City Football Stadium, Wednesday 14 December, 16:30 (local time)*
When Kim Bokyung fired Jeonbuk in front against Club America in the Club World Cup second round, a dream semi-final meet with giants Real Madrid seemed in touching distance. It wasn’t to be for the Korea Republic side, however, who surrendered a one-goal lead, with the Mexican outfit battling back to record a 2-1 win. The Green Warriors will not only want to bow out on a high at Japan 2016 with a win in their final game, but demonstrate to the world why they were crowned kings of Asia just last month.
Mamelodi Sundowns, meanwhile, will be looking to take heart from their spirited first-half performance against Kashima Antlers when they face Jeonbuk in the match for fifth place on Wednesday. The first South African side to appear at the Club World Cup, Sundowns looked to have been causing the J.League side serious problems in the opening 45 minutes with the blistering pace of Khama Billiat, Keagan Dolly and Percy Tau. But despite their slick movement going forward, the CAF Champions League winners were unable to find the net, being left to rue two second-half goals from Kashima's Yasushi Endo and Mu Kanazaki.
The stat** 197 – **The height in centimetres of towering Jeonbuk frontman Kim Shinwook, the tallest player at Japan 2016. Taking part in his second Club World Cup, the Korea Republic international can be seen sporting a bright green mohawk at the tournament, reflecting Jeonbuk's club colours.
The words** "It’s been a very positive experience despite the defeat. The competition’s not over yet and we have to prepare ourselves for the next match, both physically and mentally. We have to show just how much we want to play," Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors **head coach Choi Kanghee
“When we create so many chances at home, we end up scoring and winning the game. But at the Club World Cup, it’s not as easy. We showed a little bit of inexperience in the final third and we have a little more work to do. We need to come back and fight again,” Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane