Real Madrid Founded in 1902, Real Madrid was recently named the “Club of the Century” by FIFA. Real holds a record eight European Cups and is the reigning European champion. Some of the world’s best players have worn the glorious Real white jerseys. The long list includes Alfredo Di Stefano, who starred in Real’s all-conquering team in the 1950s with the Paco Gento, Ferenc Puskas and Raymond Kopa. Emilio Butragueno, Michel and Martin Vasquez led the famous Quinta del Buitre in the 1980s. Real currently flaunts the presence of immensely talented midfielder Luis Figo (transferred from Barcelona for $56.1 million in 2000), prolific striker Raul and durable Fernando Hierro in its star-filled roster. The Real Madrid match will take place in Real’s 78,000-seat home stadium, Santiago Bernabeu. The imposing venue was the scene of the 1982 FIFA World Cup final between Italy and Germany. Hearts of Oak Founded in 1910, the Ghanaian club claimed the 2000 African Champions League title for the first time. It also won the ABC Premier League title for the fourth straight year and FA Cup Hearts of Oak’s 2000 African title was the first for a Ghana team since 1983. Coach Jones Attaquayefio earned the Ghanain national team coaching job on the basis of his success at Hearts of Oak. The Accra club’s top offensive players are 18-year-old striker Ishmael Addo, Charles Allotey and captain Emmanuel Osei Kuffour. Jubilo Iwata Founded in 1972, Iwata won the Asia Super Cup in 1999 to qualify. The former Yamaha Motor team also claimed the Nabisco Cup title in 1998 and J-League title in 1999. It finished second to Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia in last year’s Asian Club Championship. Defenders Toshihiro Hattori and Makoto Tanaka, midfielders Hiroshi Nanami and Daisuke Oku and striker Naohiro Takahara are Jubilo candidates to make Japan’s World Cup 2002 team. Nanami is considered one of the top playmakers in Asia. Takahara was a thorn in the U.S. side during the USA-Japan Olympic quarterfinal match last year.
