Real Madrid vs. Kashima Antlers preview: FIFA Club World Cup final

“The best in the world.” For any sportsperson or any team from any discipline, is there a more satisfying moniker? It’s a tag Japanese champions Kashima Antlers and European champions Real Madrid will both be looking to secure on Sunday, when they meet in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup.

Granted, in football to be named as the finest team on the planet doesn’t really carry the same clout for club teams. The pinnacle for these sides is their continental tournament, one which Los Blancos won so memorably in a penalty shootout in Milan back in May.

But there’s an insatiable trait to Real Madrid and their pursuit of silverware. That will to dominate the opposition and constantly top up the trophy cabinet gets under the skin of all those tied to the football club. There’s no doubt their cast of superstar players will be going all out to secure victory in Japan.

Madrid are the big favourites to do so as well, although Kashima Antlers showed they’ll be no pushovers in this showpiece occasion. The J League giants were comfortable 3-0 winners against Copa Libertadores winners Atletico Nacional. It was a historic achievement by Masatada Ishii’s outfit, who became the first Asian team to reach the climax of the competition.

Although they were energetic and effective in their play against Nacional, the might of Real Madrid will mean an altogether different challenge. History shows that this is a competition the European participant dominates too; in the last nine finals, only Corinthians, in 2012, have beaten the UEFA Champions League winner.

It’s a test the Kashima players will surely relish, though, as they will be desperate to acquit themselves well against Cristiano Ronaldo and co. Here’s a look at how this one will likely pan out.

Where and when to watch the game on TV:

Date: Sunday, December 18
Time: 5:30 a.m. (ET), 2:30 a.m. (PT)
TV: FOX Sports 1
Streaming: FOX Soccer 2GO and Sling TV (free trial)

Kashima Antlers

Following in the footsteps of Raja Casablanca in 2013, Kashima Antlers are making the most of being the host nation for the glamorous tournament and have already made history in progressing to the last stage.

But this is a football team that’s used to winning and as a result, they’ll be confident in Yokohama, where they should be backed by a passionate fanbase. So far, the matches in Japan have not been well attended by supporters, but this is an occasion and an opponent that should draw the fans in.

Having been appointed following on from a succession of Brazilian managers, Ishii has certainly helped galvanize this group of players. That much was on show in the J League playoff final, when the team recovered from a 1-0 first-leg deficit against Urawa Reds to clinch the title, with Mu Kanazaki netting two goals in the second leg.

They’ve been on a brilliant run to make the final too, getting better and better in every game played. Kashima were only narrow 2-1 winners over Auckland City in their playoff match, although they were comfortable victors over Mamelodi Sundowns in quarters before hammering Nacional. They seem to be peaking at the right time.

Kanazaki is the main danger man for the Japanese side and with two goals in this tournament, has proven he’s a man that relishes the big stage. Yasushi Endo is another player Madrid need to be wary of, as he’s also grabbed a couple of goals on the team’s brilliant run.

One key for the Kashima players could be their familiarity with the conditions and travelling done by Madrid may have left them a little jet-lagged. But even with those factors in their favour, a win would come as an enormous surprise.

Real Madrid

Although Real Madrid were far from their free-flowing best in their win over Club America in the semi-final, in many ways it was a display that epitomized their work under manager Zinedine Zidane.

There was nothing cavalier about the way Los Blancos approached the contest, nor did they grind down their opponents with wave after wave of menacing pressure. Madrid simply preserved a clinical stranglehold on the match and even as they entered the final stages with just a one-goal lead there was minimal danger posed by Club America.

Zidane has turned Madrid into a major force. Not in terms of devastating attacking play, but by cultivating a spirit within the group and adding a cohesion to the way Los Blancos operate. It’s why the team recently set a La Liga record 35 games unbeaten.

From that unbending platform, the stunning individual quality at Zidane’s disposal can take over. That much was clear in their semi-final, as one incisive pass from Toni Kroos scythed open the opposition and Karim Benzema made a very difficult finish look extremely easy.

Of course, there’s also Ronaldo, who will be looking to cap off a memorable year with another piece of silverware. Earlier this week the Portuguese clinched a fourth Ballon d’Or award after his remarkable club and international successes; he didn’t have the best game in the semi-final, missing one chance in particularly comical style, although eventually got his goal.

Madrid’s own man for the big occasion, Sergio Ramos, is expected to feature for Los Blancos again in this one after missing the semi-final. Given the quality and character that’ll take to the field on Sunday in the iconic white strip, it’s tough to envisage any outcome other than a comprehensive victory for the Spanish giants.

Key Battle – Endo vs. Toni Kroos

Given the technical talent of their players, Madrid are going to have a lot of the ball in midfield on Sunday and the man who makes them tick in this section of the pitch is Kroos.

The German playmaker ran the show against Club America, playing cute passes into central areas, raking balls out wide and dissecting the opposition defense when he did scurry forward to the edge of the penalty area. If given time to dictate again by Kashima, he’ll make them suffer for long spells in the match.

Endo, as such, has a big job to do. The midfielder has shown in this tournament already that he can be potent in the attacking third, although alongside Gaku Shibasaki, he’s going to have to be disciplined and determined in defense too. If they can get close to Kroos, Madrid’s rhythm will be disrupted.

There’ll also be an onus on the Kashima man to run beyond the German when Madrid do lose the ball and give his side a creative presence in the final third. It’ll take an almighty effort for Endo and his team-mates to win their individual battles on the pitch, although his could be the most significant if the Antlers are to savor an enormous shock.