After a dramatic victory over Benfica, one Chelsea goalscorer is eager to take on Palmeiras challenge in Club World Cup quarter-final.
Chelsea midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has discussed the mounting excitement within the squad as they prepare for a Club World Cup quarter-final showdown with Palmeiras on Friday.
Having navigated a demanding tournament, overcoming challenging conditions and tricky opponents, the Blues now stand on the brink of another major step towards silverware.
Dewsbury-Hall, who scored the fourth in the previous round's 4-1 win over Benfica, has now looked ahead to the last eight.
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What Dewsbury-Hall said
Reflecting on the dramatic round of 16 win against Benfica, a match notably halted for over two hours due to a storm, Dewsbury-Hall was pleased with his goal, finding it satisfying that the team’s responded well to the setback of conceding after the unusual delay.
The former Leicester City midfielder also spoke on his Club World Cup experience and is grateful for the chance to showcase his ability on this grand stage.
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“It was the first time I have ever started a game at 4pm and finished it at 9pm!. It was crazy, a really weird situation,” noted Dewsbury-Hall on Benfica win. “But it felt nice that even though we were waiting in the changing room for two hours, we came out and eventually got the job done.
“It’s exciting,” said the midfielder on Palmeiras test. “We’re going back to where we were based at the start of the tournament [in Philadelphia], and we’re in the knockouts. Every game is a must-win and the lads are motivated.
“You should go into every game wanting to win and whether you’re in the group stage or the knockout stage, it’s the same feeling. Obviously, the further you go, the closer you are to getting to the final.
“The feeling in the camp is to take it game by game and then, before you know it, we could be in a great position.”
What’s next for Chelsea?
Chelsea face elimination from the Club World Cup if they lose on Friday night, but could face Fluminense or Al-Hilal in the semi-finals if they advance.
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