MENA Newswire News Desk: Al Ahly surged past Al Ain with a decisive 3-0 victory in the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup on Tuesday, positioning themselves one step closer to a possible FIFA Intercontinental Cup™ final against Real Madrid. The Cairo-based team demonstrated their skill and dominance at Cairo International Stadium, setting up a potential face-off with either Mexico’s Pachuca or the upcoming CONMEBOL Libertadores champions.
The semi-final match, slated for December 14 at Stadium 974 in Doha, will determine Al Ahly’s chance to meet European champions Real Madrid in the Intercontinental Cup final on December 18 at Lusail Stadium. The stakes are high, as a win would allow Al Ahly to claim a landmark title, uniting fans across Africa and Asia in anticipation.
Al Ahly’s control was evident early in the game. In the 32nd minute, a costly mistake by Al Ain’s Yahia Nader allowed Al Ahly’s Wessam Abou Ali to intercept a backpass and swiftly deliver the opening goal, slotting the ball past goalkeeper Khalid Eisa. This defensive lapse marked a pivotal moment, intensifying pressure on Al Ain to recover.
The second half continued to favor Al Ahly. Emam Ashour delivered a spectacular volley, doubling the lead and showcasing the team’s precision and intensity. Despite substitutions by Al Ain’s manager Hernan Crespo, including the introduction of Matias Segovia, Al Ain struggled to penetrate Al Ahly’s defense, led robustly by Rami Rabia. The cohesive defensive line left Al Ain with few clear scoring opportunities.
As the game neared its conclusion, Al Ahly’s momentum remained unchallenged. A foul on Omar Kamal in Al Ain’s penalty area allowed Mohamed Afsha to secure the final goal via a penalty, finalizing the 3-0 scoreline. This triumph not only underscores Al Ahly’s regional prowess but also fuels excitement as they edge closer to a historic encounter in December.