Benitez to stay in Japan despite the death of his father

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez will stay in Japan for Sunday's World Club Championship final despite the death of his father earlier this week.

Benitez heard of his father's death in the build-up to Thursday's World Club Championship semi-final against Deportivo Saprissa, but was unable to return in time for the funeral.

"I was in Madrid a couple of times because my father has been ill for the last few months.

"I was talking to my mother, sister and brother when my father died. We tried to go there but in Spain you do not have the time. They couldn't delay the funeral.

"I couldn't go so I decided to stay here. I will go and see my mother next week so for me it is perhaps better to concentrate on working. You can be very upset but if you are working sometimes you can just think about your work. My mother is there though and I will try to be with her as soon as possible.

"The only thing I can do now is try to do my best for my team and think about my father."

Everyone at Liverpoolfc.tv and the club as a whole send their deepest condolences to Rafael, his mother and the entire Benitez family at this extremely sad time.

FIFA are expected to announce they will be holding a minute's silence before the World Club Championship final between Liverpool and Sao Paulo as a mark of respect to the passing away of Rafael Benitez's father earlier this week.

A Poll for who's gonna win, sunday in yokohama? has been done in General Football Forum.