New J. League champs to face Auckland City in Club World Cup

ZURICH — The 2012 J. League champion will open the Club World Cup against New Zealand's Auckland City at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama after the draw was held for the Dec. 6-16 tournament on Monday.

European champion Chelsea has a bye to the Dec. 13 semifinals, also in Yokohama, where it will face either Monterrey of Mexico or the winner of the Asian Champions League, which will be determined in November.

The J. League season ends Dec. 1. With eight games left, Sanfrecce Hiroshima lead Vegalta Sendai by just two points with former Asian champion Urawa Reds another three points back.

The new J. League champion or Auckland City will play the African champion to be crowned in November, with the winner of that matchup to face Copa Libertadores holder Corinthians in the last four on Dec. 12 at Toyota Stadium, Aichi Prefecture.

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