He Al Ahly FC will be measured next Wednesday (8:00 p.m./Telecinco) in Rabat to the real Madrid in the semifinals of Morocco Club World Cup. The Egyptian team led by the Swiss Marcel Koller defeated this Saturday 0-1 at Seattle Sounders (USA), champion of the CONCACAF Champions League, thanks to a goal near the end (88′) of Mohamed Magdy Afsha.
The runner-up of the African Championswho had eliminated in the first round the Auckland City New Zealand (3-0), will now try to make a splash against the meringues, champions four times (2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018) with the current format of the tournament. As Intercontinental Cuphe real Madridcurrent European champion, conquered it three times (1960, 1998 and 2002).
The game was decided with an agonizing goal from Afsha when everything indicated that there would be an extension. The Egyptian midfielder, who had replaced Hamdi Fathi in the 63rd minute, was the great revulsion of the Al Ahly. His goal came after a whiplash from himself to the crossbar and pick up the rebound, which deflected Alex Roldan and misled the goal Stefan Freywho could not do anything to prevent the ball from entering his goal.
The American team had the initiative for most of the first half, but faltered in the last meters and the score remained close until the break. the uruguayan Nicolas Lodeiro He was the most active player for the North American team and had the clearest shot with a shot from outside the area that went wide.
those of Seattle disturbed at the start of the second half with a mid-range shot from Josh Atencio who found the goalkeeper well standing Mohamed El Shenawyand the Egyptian team dominated the ball from there, although without bringing danger to the rival goal.
In a closed duel, with excessive precautions and without scoring chances, he was the Al Ahly the one who achieved his goal. He Seattle Sounders, the first team of the MLS qualified to play a Club World CupHe paid for his conservatism.
There was no time for reaction. Seattle coach brian schmetzerresorted, desperately, to the Colombian Fredy Montero and to the brazilian heber. But he did not even have a chance to score.
Seattle Sounders: Stefan Frey; Alex Roldan, Yeimar Gomez Andrade, Jackson Ragen (Fredy Montero, m.91), Nouhou Tolo; Albert Rusnak (Heber, m.91), Josh Atencio (Joao Paulo, m.68); Cristian Roldan (Danny Leyva, m.84), Nicolas Lodeiro, Jordan Morris; and Raul Ruidiaz.
Al Ahly FC: Mohamed El Shenawy; Mohamed Hany, Mahmoud Metwalli, Mohamed Abdel Monem, Ali Maaloul; Aliou Dieng; Mahmoud Kahraba (Mohamed Sherif, m.63), Hamdi Fathi (Mohamed Afsha, m.63), Amr Al-Sulaya, Taher Mohamed (Ahmed Abdelkader, m.63); and Percy Tau (Rami Rabia, m.93).
Goal: 0-1, m.88 Mohamed Afsha
Referee: Anthony Taylor (England). He showed a yellow card to Percy Tau, from Al Ahly (59′).
Incidents: Match of the second round of the Club World Cup played at the Ibn Battuota stadium in Tangier (Morocco) before 30,589 spectators
see match sheet
Morocco Club World Cup Calendar
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
1st ROUND
Al Ahly (EGI)-Auckland City (NZL) 3-0
Saturday, February 4, 2023
2nd ROUND
Wydad Athletic (MAR)-Al Hilal (SAU) 1-1 (3-5 penns)
Seattle Sounders (USA)-Al Ahly (EGI) 0-1
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
SEMI-FINAL
Flamengo (BRA)-Al Hilal (SAU) 8:00 p.m. (My TV)
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
SEMIFINAL
Al Ahly (EGI)-Real Madrid (ESP) 8:00 p.m. (Telecinco)
Saturday, February 11, 2023
FINAL: 8:00 p.m. in Rabat (Telecinco or Mitele)
3rd and 4th PLACE: 4:30 p.m. in Rabat (Telecinco or Mitele)
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