The Champion of Half the World: Al Ahly of Egypt Secures First Intercontinental Cup Victory Against Al Ain from the UAE.

The Champion of Half the World: Al Ahly of Egypt Secures First Intercontinental Cup Victory Against Al Ain from the UAE.

Al Ahly's triumph marked the club's inaugural global title, as they secured the Intercontinental Cup across three continents: Asia, Africa, and Oceania, representing a championship that spans nearly half the globe. By overcoming Al Ain, Al Ahly advanced to the semi-finals of the Intercontinental Club Cup, where they will vie for a new global accolade known as the Challenge Cup, competing against the winner of the Americas derby between the champions of North and South America. 

 

In addition to this historic achievement, Al Ahly received a $2 million reward for their first victory in a FIFA-organized tournament. The African champions attributed their success over the Asian champions to goals scored by Wissam Abu Ali, Emam Ashour, and Afsha in the 32nd, 55th, and 90+2 minutes, respectively, complemented by a robust defense that thwarted Crespo’s team from finding the net.

 

Al Ahly’s Starting XI:

•             Goalkeeper: Mohamed El Shenawy 

•             Defenders: Akram Tawfik, Rami Rabia, Yasser Ibrahim, Yahia Attia Allah 

•             Midfielders: Marwan Attia, Ahmed Nabil Kouka, Emam Ashour 

•             Forwards: Hussein El Shahat, Taher Mohamed Taher, Wissam Abu Ali 

 

On the bench: Omar Kamal, Kahraba, Tau, Reda Slim, Ashraf Dari, Hamza Alaa, Amr El Solia, Afsha, Karim Walid, Omar El Saei, Mostafa Shobier, Karim El Debis. 

 

Swiss coach Marcel Koller decided to maintain the same lineup that competed in Al Ahly’s recent Egyptian Super Cup final against Zamalek. Kahraba made his return to the squad after serving a suspension that kept him out of the Super Cup, while Dari was included on the bench following his recovery from an injury.

 

Al Ain's Starting XI: 

• Goalkeeper: Khaled Eisa 

• Defenders: Erik, Kwame Auton, Fabio Cardoso, Bandar Al Ahbabi 

• Midfielders: Park Young, Yahya Nader, Palacios 

• Forwards: Mohamed Abbas, Kaku, Soufiane Rahimi  

On the bench: Bu Sanda, Michel, Khaled Al Hashmi, Felipe Salomoli, Ahmed Barman, Abdel Karim Traore, Gelo Infantino, Segovia, Salabria, Mohamed Awad Allah, Sekoubaba, and Laba Kodjo. 

 

Argentine coach Hernan Crespo has chosen Paraguay’s Kaku and Moroccan Rahimi to lead Al Ain’s attack, while Togolese striker Kodjo remains on the bench.

 

 

 

Match Overview: Al Ahly vs. Al Ain in the Intercontinental Club Cup 

 

Supporters of Al Ahly in the "North Stand" at Cairo Stadium showcased an inspiring message for the team: "Our eyes only see trophies." This motivation propelled Al Ahly to start strong, with Emam Ashour unleashing a powerful shot in the 5th minute, which was expertly saved by Al Ain’s goalkeeper, Khaled Eisa.  

 

Eisa continued to shine, denying a weak attempt from Hussein El Shahat in the 7th minute and later thwarting a remarkable effort from Rami Rabia in the 8th minute, where the ball ricocheted off Al Ain’s crossbar and fell to Wissam Abu Ali, who failed to capitalize on the opportunity. 

 

In the 32nd minute, Wissam Abu Ali broke his scoring drought by netting a goal after intercepting a poor pass from Yahya Nader intended for goalkeeper Khaled Eisa, putting Al Ahly ahead 1-0. Al Ain sought to level the score, with Park Young heading a shot over El Shenawy’s crossbar in the 36th minute.  

 

The 55th minute saw Emam Ashour score a spectacular goal following a sequence of short passes, receiving a long cross from Taher Mohamed Taher and converting it into a powerful strike.  

 

Despite several attempts, including a missed header by Kodjo in the 77th minute, Al Ain was unable to penetrate Al Ahly’s defense. Ashraf Dari made his debut in the 88th minute, coming on for Yasser Ibrahim. 

 

In the closing moments, Al Ahly was awarded a penalty after Omar Kamal was fouled in the box. Afsha converted successfully in the 90+2 minute, ensuring Al Ahly's progression to the semi-finals of the Intercontinental Club Cup.