CHAMPIONS: Sao Paulo, Boca Juniors, Toluca, Dep. Cali & Enyimba

• by Soccer America , Dec 20, 2005

WORLD CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP. Sao Paulo was crowned world club champion after beating Liverpool 1-0, in the final Sunday in Yokohama, Japan. A goal from Mineiro in the 27th minute was the first Liverpool had allowed in 12 games. CONCACAF champion Saprissa of Costa Rica beat Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia, 3-2, for third place in the six-team FIFA competition.

COPA SUDAMERICANA. Boca Juniors of Argentina repeated as Copa Sudamericana champion after it beat UNAM of Mexico, 4-3, on penalty kicks. The second leg in Buenos Aires ended in a 1-1 tie, the same result as in Mexico City. Boca Juniors goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri was the hero, saving two penalties in the shootout.

MEXICO. Toluca won the Torneo Apertura when the Red Devils beat Monterrey, 3-0, away in the second leg of the final. Monterrey had three players sent off. The first leg ended in a 3-3 tie.

COLOMBIA. Deportivo Cali was its eighth title and first since 1998 when it beat Real Cartagena, 1-0, in the second leg of the Finalizacion championship final. Cali won, 3-0, on aggregate.

NIGERIA. Enyimba won the league championship without kicking a ball on the final day of the season when its opponent, Gabros, refused to play in protest over the way the competition was run. Enyimba finished with 72 points, five more than Enugu Rangers. Gabros was one of four teams relegated.