JEDDAH (Reuters) – In an exciting Club World Cup third-place playoff, Al-Ahly secured a top three finish for the fourth time by defeating Urawa Red Diamonds 4-2 on Friday. Despite losing a two-goal lead and missing a penalty, the Egyptian side managed to clinch victory.
Al-Ahly has a history of finishing in the top three, having secured third place in 2006, 2020, and 2021. On the other hand, Japan’s Urawa came third in 2007.
The first goal came from Al-Ahly in the 19th minute, with a fierce strike by Mohamed Hany being parried by the Urawa goalkeeper, allowing Yasser Ibrahim to score from close range. Six minutes later, Al-Ahly doubled their lead with Percy Tau firing past Shusaku Nishikawa after a pass from Ahmed Koka.
Urawa managed to pull a goal back when Jose Kante scored with a first-time volley in the 43rd minute, bringing renewed hope to the Japanese side. They leveled the scores in the 54th minute when Alexander Scholz fired a penalty down the middle after a handball by Mohammed Hany.
However, Al-Ahly wasted no time in regaining the lead, with a deflected shot from Ali Maaloul slipping past the Urawa keeper in the 60th minute. Despite a penalty opportunity in the 75th minute, Maaloul was unable to convert, as Nishikawa made a crucial save.
Urawa fought hard to find another goal but fell short, ultimately conceding a stunning free kick from Maaloul in the ninth minute of added time, securing victory for Al-Ahly.
(Reporting by Trevor Stynes, editing by Ed Osmond)
