5-Star Ahly Off To A Winning Start At FIFA Club World Cup

Egyptian giants Al-Ahly beat Auckland City 3-0 in the opening match of round one in the FIFA Club World Cup at a capacity filled Grand Stade de Tangier.

Driven by the Moroccan public, Ahly dominated possession in the first quarter before Auckland settled to make the game evenly matched.

The first half was headed for a goalless draw, before wideman Hussein Elshahat, on the edge of the “D,” fired past Conor Tracey in first half stoppage time (45+2) for 1-0.

Upon return from the locker room, the 10-time CAF champions league winners kept pilling on the pressure in front of Auckland City’s goal.

Marshalled by inspired Malian midfielder Aliou Dieng, the reds knocked the door harder for a second and it eventually got it. Mohamed Shérif doubled the advantage for Ahly at the 56th minute of play.

Up by two goals, last year’s CAF champions league finalists stepped their foot off the gas pedal.

Substitutions were made. Percy Tau who is only just returning from injury was given the last quarter by coach Marcel Koller.

The substitution turned out to be a wildcard, as Tau made an instant impact with a lovely goal – at the 86th minute, which he started with his left, masterminding lovely-little give-and-go movements before he finished by lobbing the keeper – with his weaker right foot.

At the cusp of full-time (97), Auckland City’s Adam Mitchell received a red card which mirrored his team’s performance throughout the evening.

Al-Ahly will now face Seattle Sounders of the United States in the second round on Saturday. The match is scheduled for 15:30 GMT.

Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia, defending champions of the Asian Champions League, will face Wydad Athletic Casablanca, still on Saturday at 18:30 GMT.

In addition to the aforementioned teams are: Real Madrid (Spain) who are holders of the UEFA Champions League, and Flamengo, winners of the Copa Libertadores.

The semi-finals will oppose Flamengo to the winner of the match Wydad AC/Al Hilal, on the one side, and the other semi will see Seattle Sounders FC/Auckland City FC or Al-Ahly take on Real Madrid.

The Club World Cup was created by FIFA in 2000. Since 2007, only seven clubs have taken part in the tournament.

Morocco is hosting the last Club World Cup with this format, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced last November. He said the new 32-club competition, which will start in the summer of 2025, will be played every four years and will “resemble” a national team for World Cups.