Mexico's Pachuca fought back from two goals down to stun Egyptian side Al Ahly 4-2 after extra-time at the Club World Cup yesterday.
Argentine forward Christian Gimenez scored twice in a remarkable turnaround after Pachuca had trailed 2-0 at half-time as the Mexicans set up a semi-final with Ecuador's LDU.
Pachuca meet South American champions LDU on Wednesday, 24 hours before tournament favourites Manchester United begin their quest to be crowned the world's best club side.
Enrique Meza's Pachuca, who left the pitch in tears after losing to Tunisia's Etoile Sahel last year, finished the match to a chorus of "Ole!" from the crowd of 30,000 in Tokyo.
Aquilani pledges future to Roma
Alberto Aquilani, 24, assured the Roma fans his future belongs to the Giallorossi notwithstanding constant speculation in the media that he will be playing elsewhere next season.
The Italy midfielder, known as 'Little Crocodile' among the fans, is seen as a pivot for the future of the club. Reports said Aquilani was unsettled in Rome after he turned down a new contract and many said he was on his way to Juve.
"I grew up in Rome and I never imagined a future elsewhere," Aquilani told Sky Sport Italia.
"There have been a few difficulties with my contract, that is true, but the problems will be overcome and I am confident that we will find an agreement."
Bolton's Cahill wants England call-up
Centre-back Gary Cahill hopes his fine showings for Bolton will help him achieve his goal and earn an England call-up.
Cahill, who joined the Trotters in a £5 million move from Aston Villa last January, said joining a club in a relegation battle was a tough call but it was a decision he had to make.
He said: "Bolton were one of a handful of clubs who could have gone down, but it was a gamble I had to take.
"The most important thing for me is that I have improved because I've played week in, week out. If he feels someone is doing well, then Mr Capello will take a look. It's definitely my next goal."
Cahill has been capped by England at U-19, U-20 and U-21 level.
FA extends transfer deadline
The English FA has agreed to extend the transfer window deadline to 6 p.m. on Monday Feb. 2 from Jan. 31 after consultation with the Premier League and Football League.
The decision was taken because Jan. 31 is a Saturday and so to "fall in line with procedures adopted by foreign associations the closure has been moved from a weekend date to the first available weekday," the FA said.
It said the decision was consistent with that made in August when the deadline was extended to Sept. 1 and had the support of the majority of national associations and European leagues.
Zanetti wants United in last 16
Javier Zanetti wants Inter to play Champions Cup holders Manchester United in the last 16. The draw will be made next Friday in Nyon.
Inter failed to secure first place in the group stage after losing to Werder Bremen in their final group game and finishing runners-up. Now, the Italian champions risk facing one of the best teams on the continent. Zanetti seems unfazed.
"I would like to play against Manchester United because I like them as a team and the atmosphere at Old Trafford is special," he said.
"I think finishing second is the same as finishing first in your group.
"At the moment Barcelona have shown that they are a dangerous side but we'll have to see what kind of form they are in February."
Villa and Silva not leaving Valencia
Valencia have made it clear that the team's star duo of David Villa and David Silva will not be changing clubs next month.
Club vice-president Fernando Gomez said the two Spanish internationals have long been linked with big-money moves away from the Mestalla but Valencia have no intention of parting with their prized assets.
"Villa and Silva will not be leaving Valencia," Gomez said.
The Primera Liga outfit have just reached agreements with goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand and centre-back Ivan Helguera to terminate their contracts and Gomez hinted that Nikola Zigic and Hugo Viana could move on as well.
"There are the possible exits of Zigic and Hugo Viana... here they have not had opportunities," Gomez said.
No GB team for London 2012 - Brown
Craig Brown, the former Scotland coach, is against a Great Britain team competing at the 2012 Olympics in London. Yesterday, he launched a petition 'Save Football', calling on the authorities to assess the impact on football if a GB team is formed.
The Scottish FA are against the GB team idea as they fear its formation could see the Home Nations lose their individual voting rights within FIFA.
Despite assurances from FIFA this would not be the case, football's world governing body would be unable to prevent its other member countries campaigning for Britain to play as a single entity on a permanent basis.
Brown said: "I don't trust FIFA to say it'll be a one-off. I think it's the thin edge of the wedge. I firmly believe FIFA want to combine nations now."