African champion out South American champion in!
Paolo Guerrero's goal was what helped the Brazilian giants Corinthians
to see off the challenge of Egypt's Al-Ahly, winning the semi-final
1-0 in Toyota to move on to the final of the 2012 FIFA Club World Cup,
where they will meet either English Premier League side Chelsea or
Mexico's Monterrey.
The Brazilians began their Japan 2012 journey cautiously and
defensively, exactly how they successfully navigated the Copa
Libertadores tournament in South America to book their place in the
Far East. Their first chance came after ten minutes, but midfield
creator Douglas scuffed his shot from the edge of the box and the ball
bobbled well wide.
Two minutes later, Al-Ahly's Ramy Rabia snuck in behind the Brazilian
defence. He did well to get on the end of a Walid Soliman free-kick,
but he headed over, never looking in the right position to hit the
target. From there on out, the game settled in midfield with neither
side willing to commit too much forward.
Al-Ahly sat back, coach Hossam el Badry showing his intentions by
leaving out star striker and club icon Mohamed Aboutrika, who came on
as substitute to score thewinner in the quarter-final againstSanfrecce
Hiroshima.
The half-hour mark brought an opening goal, however, with Peruvian
striker Guerrero breakingdown the Egyptians' resistance. Heheaded a
looping cross from Douglas past Sherif Ekramy, who was slow to make
his dive after side-stepping across the goal-line.
The second half reverted back to adefensive posture, with Corinthians
happy enough to sit deep and protect their slim lead. Rabia managed
one of very few chances in the 63rd minute, his shot from the edge of
the area flying just wide of the diving Cassio. Shortly after, at the
other end, Al-Ahly's first-choice keeper Ekramy was forced to quit the
contest after pulling his hamstringwhile taking a goal-kick.
MahmoudAbou Elseoud came on to replace him between the sticks.
The Brazilian team now move on to the semi-final where the will face
either Chelsea or Monterrey. Al-Ahly will now face the other
semi-final loser to decide who comes third.
to see off the challenge of Egypt's Al-Ahly, winning the semi-final
1-0 in Toyota to move on to the final of the 2012 FIFA Club World Cup,
where they will meet either English Premier League side Chelsea or
Mexico's Monterrey.
The Brazilians began their Japan 2012 journey cautiously and
defensively, exactly how they successfully navigated the Copa
Libertadores tournament in South America to book their place in the
Far East. Their first chance came after ten minutes, but midfield
creator Douglas scuffed his shot from the edge of the box and the ball
bobbled well wide.
Two minutes later, Al-Ahly's Ramy Rabia snuck in behind the Brazilian
defence. He did well to get on the end of a Walid Soliman free-kick,
but he headed over, never looking in the right position to hit the
target. From there on out, the game settled in midfield with neither
side willing to commit too much forward.
Al-Ahly sat back, coach Hossam el Badry showing his intentions by
leaving out star striker and club icon Mohamed Aboutrika, who came on
as substitute to score thewinner in the quarter-final againstSanfrecce
Hiroshima.
The half-hour mark brought an opening goal, however, with Peruvian
striker Guerrero breakingdown the Egyptians' resistance. Heheaded a
looping cross from Douglas past Sherif Ekramy, who was slow to make
his dive after side-stepping across the goal-line.
The second half reverted back to adefensive posture, with Corinthians
happy enough to sit deep and protect their slim lead. Rabia managed
one of very few chances in the 63rd minute, his shot from the edge of
the area flying just wide of the diving Cassio. Shortly after, at the
other end, Al-Ahly's first-choice keeper Ekramy was forced to quit the
contest after pulling his hamstringwhile taking a goal-kick.
MahmoudAbou Elseoud came on to replace him between the sticks.
The Brazilian team now move on to the semi-final where the will face
either Chelsea or Monterrey. Al-Ahly will now face the other
semi-final loser to decide who comes third.
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