Egyptian and African champions, Ahly, clinched a 3-0 victory over their Asian counterparts, Al-Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates, in the inaugural FIFA Intercontinental Cup on Tuesday at Cairo International Stadium.
This win handed Ahly the title of the African-Asian-Pacific Cup .
The Red Devils will now face the winner between Conmebol and CF Pachuca in the Challenger Cup on 14 December. European Champions Real Madrid will wait for the winner in the final on 18 December.
Ahly missed two chances to get in the lead twice inside the opening 10 minutes but Hussein El-Shahat and Wessam Abou Ali were denied by the emirati keeper.
In the 33rd minute, Palestinian striker Abou Ali made amends, capitalizing on a critical error by Al-Ain’s Portuguese defender, Fabio Cardoso, within the penalty area.
Abou Ali intercepted a short pass intended for goalkeeper Khalid Eisa, deftly touching the ball into the net to give the hosts the lead.
Boosted by over 70.000 supporters, Ahly maintained their siege and Emam Ashour
doubled the team’s lead in the 56th minute with a sublime volley shot inside the box.
In a dramatic conclusion, substitute Omar Kamal secured a penalty kick during injury time, confirming the Red Devils’ victory over Al-Ain after the Turkish referee indicated eight minutes of added time.
Source: State Information Service Egypt
