Egypt's Al-Ahly easily beat New Zealand's Auckland City 3-0 in the preliminary round of the FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco today, Wednesday.
Al-Ahly, who is participating in the tournament for the third time in a row and the eighth in its history, waited until the stoppage time for the first half and advanced with Hussein Al-Shahat’s goal through a powerful shot from outside the penalty area, to confirm its dominance in the half.
With this goal, Al-Shahat became the first Egyptian player to score in 3 different versions of the Club World Cup, as he scored for the Emirati team Al Ain in the 2018 edition, and also scored for Al-Ahly in the 2020 edition in Qatar.
D45 + 2' The first goal for Al-Ahly of Egypt, through Hussein Al-Shahat
Al-Ahly of Egypt 1 x 0 Auckland City, New Zealand # Club World Cup # Al-Ahly_ Auckland_ City |
#SSC pic.twitter.com/sIBrO2wEJg
- Saudi Sports Company SSC (@ssc_sports) February 1, 2023
Mohamed Sharif added the second goal after being alone in the goal in the 56th minute, before substitute Percy Tau scored the third goal after a wonderful pass with the heel of his foot from fellow substitute Mahmoud Abdel Moneim (Kahraba) in the 86th minute.
D56' The second goal for Al-Ahly of Egypt, through Mohamed Sharif
Al-Ahly of Egypt 2 x 0 Auckland City, New Zealand # Club World Cup # Al-Ahly_ Auckland_ City |
#SSC pic.twitter.com/r8LAAVoFhu
- Saudi Sports Company SSC (@ssc_sports) February 1, 2023
Al-Ahly will play in the next round against the American Seattle Sounders, the champions of North and Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF), on Saturday, with the winner qualifying to face European champions Real Madrid.
D86' The third goal for Al-Ahly of Egypt, via Percy Tau
Al-Ahly of Egypt 3 x 0 Auckland City, New Zealand # Club World Cup # Al-Ahly_ Auckland_ City |
#SSC pic.twitter.com/ItJopwF4xe
- Saudi Sports Company SSC (@ssc_sports) February 1, 2023
Al-Ahly enjoyed great support from the fans in Tangiers in the opening match of the World Cup, while an Arab summit will be held on Saturday between Moroccan Wydad, the African champion, and Al-Hilal, the Saudi representative of Asia.
A missed national opportunity # Club World Cup # Al Ahly_ Auckland_ City |
#SSC pic.twitter.com/QMxlO4ESq6
- Saudi Sports Company SSC (@ssc_sports) February 1, 2023
Al-Ahly was not going to participate in the tournament after losing the African Champions League final to Wydad, the Moroccan league champion, but holding the tournament in Morocco gave him the opportunity to appear in the competition in light of the inability of two teams from one country to participate, as the champion of the country that owns the land usually qualifies.
After returning to the VAR technique … the match referee cancels the penalty kick awarded to Al-Ahly and announces the red card to the Auckland City player.# Club World Cup# Al-Ahly_Auckland_City |
#SSC pic.twitter.com/zTsrANQjmp
- Saudi Sports Company SSC (@ssc_sports) February 1, 2023
Real Madrid and Flamengo, the South American champions, will participate directly in the semi-finals, and the final will be held on February 11.