Soccer: Boca Juniors spot on against AC

BOCA Juniors edged out AC Milan 3-1 in a penalty shoot-out following an absorbing 1-1 draw after extra-time to win the World Club Cup in Yokohama, Japan yesterday.

Midfielder Raul Cascini blasted in the decisive penalty after Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf and Alessandro Costacurta had missed for Milan in front of a boisterous section of blue and yellow-clad Boca fans among a crowd of 66,000.

“It was a game between the champions of South America and Europe, so logically it turned out to be a battle,” said Boca coach Carlos Bianchi who became the first coach to win the match three times.

“Towards the end of extra time I felt the Milan players were hanging on for penalties,” he added. It was a disappointing end for Milan, who had dominated for long periods in their bid to become the first team to win the World Club Cup four times.

Striker Jon Dahl Tomasson put Milan ahead in the 24th minute, calmly sliding the ball under goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri from eight metres following a superb through ball by Pirlo. But Boca were back on level terms five minutes later when Matias Donnet hooked in the loose ball.

Milan captain Paolo Maldini nearly capped a record fifth appearance in this fixture with a goal in the 61st minute when he latched on to an Andriy Shevchenko knock-down, only for Abbondanzieri to produce a brilliant point-blank save.

Milan, who beat Juventus 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out to win last season’s Champions League final, converted just one spot kick this time, handing Boca their third World Club Cup title.