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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Blair Meikle

Forgotten Celtic star could feature at Club World Cup after dramatic play-off

Forgotten Celtic star Odin Thiago Holm could feature at the Club World Cup after his Los Angeles FC side dramatically booked their slot.

LAFC took on Mexicans Club America with a place in the tournament up for grabs and it was the MLS side who made it through with a 2-1 victory after extra-time.

The Liga Mx outfit looked to be heading for qualification as they led 1-0 through substitute Brian Rodríguez who struck against his former club in the 64th minute.

But a late header from Igor Jesus, his first goal for LA, forced extra-time.

And it was the Americans who found the breakthrough, winger Denis Bouanga finding the net with a deflected strike on the 115th minute, assisted by former Arsenal and Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud.


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Holm joined LA on loan from Celtic in January but hasn't featured as much as he would like as he struggles with injury.

His latest, a leg injury, kept him out of the matchday squad for the crunch qualification match and it remains to be seen if he will feature at the Club World Cup.

If he does, he could play against Chelsea who are in Group D along with Brazil’s Flamengo, Tunisian club Esperánce de Tunis.

LA's first game is against the English Premier League giants on June 16. They’ll then face Espérance de Tunis on June 20 and  Flamengo on 24 June.

The playoff was held to decide the 32nd team in the Club World Cup after Club Leon were kicked out of the tournament in March due to an ownership rule breach.

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