(AFP PHOTO/Gerard Julien)
Al-Ahly SC will meet their Mexican counterparts CF Monterrey on Wednesday night, aiming to clinch fifth place in the Club World Cup in Morocco. The game will be played in Marrakech stadium.
Both teams lost their quarterfinal clashes. CONCACAF champions, CF Monterrey lost 2-1 to host country’s team Raja Casablanca in extra time on Saturday.
Al-Ahly lost to Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande 2-0 on Saturday in Agadir.
Mohamed Abu Trika missed a goal-scoring opportunity when Emad Meteb crossed a ball to find Abu Trika’s header only to miss the empty net. Abu Trika was substituted at half-time due to an injury; the game was reportedly his last before his announced retirement.
Al-Ahly dominated in terms of possession; however, it was quality that counted when Guangzhou’s Brazilian player Muriqui took advantage of Al-Ahly’s defensive vulnerabilities passing goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy and taking a shot, only to be blocked by Ahmed Fathi at the goal line. Unfortunately for Fathi and Al-Ahly, fellow Brazilian Elkeson recovered the rebound and scored Guangzhou’s first goal at the 48th minute.
Muriqui passed Al-Ahly’s defence once more and was face-to-face with Ekramy who saved Muriqui’s shot but Argentinean Dario Conca responded to the rebound doubling Guangzhou’s lead at the 66th minute.
The win pushed Guangzhou into the semifinal, where they faced off against German titans and European Champions Bayern Munich FC. The game was played in Agadir on Tuesday with three goals from Franck Ribery, Mario Mandzukic and Mario Götze and no response from the Chinese side, Munich sailed into to the final.
Bayern Munich will face either Raja Casablanca or South American champions Atlético Mineiro (who feature legendary Brazilian player Ronaldinho.) The game will be held in Marrakech Stadium after hosting Al-Ahly – CF Monterrey clash.
Al-Ahly and CF Monterrey previously met in the 2012 championship placing CF Monterrey in third place with a win of 2-0.
