South Korea vs Japan, 12/10/2010, 12:00 BST
So Japan are the new Unofficial Football World Champions, but they barely have time to celebrate their achievement before heading straight into their first ever UFWC title defence - against South Korea on Tuesday.
Like Japan, South Korea, or the Korea Republic, have only won one UFWC title match - against Colombia in 1995. That match is somewhat controversial, and has been removed from FIFA´s records, with claims suggesting that South Korea fielded an under-21 side. However, as we revealed in a recent post, 10 of the 11 South Korean players fielded by against Colombia played in their country’s next match, against China on 19 February 1995. And that match still stands in the FIFA records. So the game remains in the UFWC record books as a full title match.
Both Japan and South Korea will play in the Asian Cup in January 2011. And this is the last UFWC title match of 2010. So, whatever the result, the UFWC title will be contested at the Asian Cup.
But who will take the unofficial title into that official competition? Keep an eye on South Korea vs Japan this tuesday to find out. Kick off is 12 noon UK time.
