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THURSDAY JULY 10, 2025 THU JULY

Malaysian Paper

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On cloud nine Pedro in dreamland after firing Chelsea into Club World Cup final

J OAO PEDRO felt he was dreaming after scoring twice on his full Chelsea debut to send them into the Club World Cup final. The Brazil forward, who only completed his £60 million (RM348m) move to the Blues from Brighton last week, struck in each half against his former club Fluminense to secure a 2-0 win in yesterday’s semifinal in New York. The Premier League side, who are now guaranteed a payday of around £80 million (RM464m), will face either Paris St Germain or Real Madrid in the final on Monday (3am Malaysian time). Pedro was delighted with his performance although, having muted his celebrations in front of his old fans, he admitted to mixed feelings. “I think it was a dream. I don’t think it could have been better – two goals. Now we need to think about the final,” the 23-year-old told DAZN . “I am happy to score my first goals for Chelsea but also I know this tournament is very important for Fluminense. “I can just say sorry but I have to be profes sional. I play for Chelsea. They pay me to score goals and today I was happy to score. “Now I need to rest, focus on the final because I think it will be a very important game.” Pedro opened the scoring with a fine curl ing strike from outside the area in the 18th minute and then doubled the lead with a fero cious shot off the underside of the bar just before the hour. It was a controlled, professional perform ance from Chelsea, although they had a scare at 1-0 when a penalty was awarded to Fluminense for handball against Trevoh Chalobah. It was overturned following a VAR review. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said: “It is a great achievement. It has been a fantastic season – top four in the Premier League, Conference League (winners) and now in the final of this competition. We are so, so happy.” On the performance of Pedro, Maresca

added: “We know that we have players that are able to do that and we know we have to help them get in situations where they can do that and we know Joao can do this.” The match was Chelsea’s 63rd of a long 2024-25 campaign that began last August. “We go game by game,” said Maresca. “Finally we have the last game of the season and hopefully we can win the tournament.” The downside for Chelsea was the ankle injury suffered by midfielder Moises Caicedo in the closing stages. Maresca said: “I told him that he has to do everything to be on the pitch for the final so we will see.” Fluminense coach Renato Gaucho felt the outcome might have been different had the penalty decision stood. He said: “We knew there would be strong pressure from Chelsea and we would have to suffer. “They knew how to take their opportuni ties and unfortunately we didn’t make the most of ours. “There was the penalty disallowed. A few would give it and others wouldn’t. If they had awarded the penalty it would have been a dif ferent story.” Fluminense’s trip to the Club World Cup semifinal should net Brazilian coaches more respect, Gaucho said after their improbable deep run in the tournament ended in defeat. The former striker, who steered the team to the 1995 Rio de Janeiro championship as a player, turned them from relegation battlers into tournament threats in the span of just three months as manager, and the club received a hero’s sendoff from fans at MetLife Stadium. A critic of the influx of foreign coaches in Brazilian club football, Gaucho hopes the strong showing will shine a light on talent among Brazilian managers. “I hope that not only the rest of the world but Brazil, as well, can look at Brazilian

Chelsea’s Joao Pedro (left) and Fluminense’s Ignacio fight for the ball yesterday. – AFPPIC

coaches in a different way and appreciate them a little more,” said Gaucho. “I have nothing against coaches from other places in the world but people talk a lot about them but pay little attention to Brazilian coaches. “This Club World Cup allowed for Brazilian coaches to be seen in a better light and I hope that continues to be the case.” – The Independent/Reuters

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