A little over a decade ago, South Melbourne FC took part in the FIFA Club World Championship as
champions of Oceania, trying their luck in a group containing England's Manchester United, Brazil's
Vasco da Gama and Mexico's Nexaca. South Melbourne could then claim to be Australia's most
successful club, winners of four National Soccer League titles.
Perhaps it was only a formality that Barcelona should officially proclaim itself the best team in
the world in 2012 after their resounding victory against Real Madrid recently. But surely, their
victory in the FIFA Club World Championship against Brazilian Santos was no less resounding. The
final had been looked forward to, since Santos is also a club that plays entertaining attacking
football
Looking back is a nostalgic series set up to celebrate Manchester United's great past
but with a twist; looking at the smaller things that cumulatively add (or negate) to the club's
illustrious history. Gradually, over the coming weeks and months, these pieces will appear on the
blog – but we cannot do it without you.
Retrospective is a nostalgic series set up to celebrate Manchester United's great past
but with a twist; looking at the smaller things that cumulatively add (or negate) to the club's
illustrious history. Gradually, over the coming weeks and months, these pieces will appear on the
blog – but we cannot do it without you.
So Paul Scholes announced his retirement from football this week, after an illustrious career
that spanned well over 700 appearances for club and country. Upon hearing the news I was struck
with a strange, indescribable feeling. It wasn't surprise, as I knew it would either be now or in
12 months time.
