Internacional down Ahly

ByEurosport

Published 13/12/2006 at 10:09 GMT

Brazil and South American champions Internacional beat Al Ahly of Egypt 2-1 in the World Club Cup semi final in Japan on Wednesday to set up a final clash with either Barcelona or America (Mexico). Alex Pato put Inter ahead before Flavio Amado equalised,

Internacional were somewhat fortunate to be 1-0 up at half time through Pato's controversial 26th minute strike, with Ahly hitting the post, forcing a superb save from Clemer in the Internacional goal and having a penalty appeal rejected.

Unsurprisingly the Brazilians started the more promisingly, Wellington Monteiro sending a long-range effort wide in the second minute while they saw a goal disallowed for offside in the ninth, although in-between Mohamed Aboutraika did send a free-kick straight at Clemer.

Pato went close on 14 minutes later when he headed a Iarley centre over from close range, and the Brazilians took the lead when the same man - at least two yards offside - fired past Essam El Hadary on 26 minutes.

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However replays were inconclusive as to whether the last touch came off an Ahly man sliding in to clear the ball after Pato was initially tackled on the edge of the box.

The goal buoyed Ahly, nervous up until that point, as they have often been in the past when facing non-African teams.

They started bossing possession and forcing Internacional into occasional breaks, and saw a penalty shout turned down on the half hour when Edinho appeared to handle in the box.

Left back Tarek Said - coming in for striker Emad Motaeb as Ahly looked to stifle the Brazilians - had a super chance two minutes later when he volleyed an excellent clipped ball by Mohamed Shwaky, but his effort was deflected wide for a corner.

Shawky himself then volleyed just over from 25 yards, while on 37 minutes a 40 yard free kick was hammered towards the top left corner by Emad El Nahhas but acrobatically tipped over by Clemer.

Ahly were all over Internacional by this point, and Reading target Aboutraika sent a right-foot volley from the edge of the box crashing off the post a minute later, Clemer fortunate twice as the rebound struck his outstretched arm but deflected away from goal.

The Egyptians had another chance to equalise before the break, Islam El Shater's injury-time right wing cross falling to Shawky at the far post who saw his scissor-kick fly over.

Ahly's Portuguese coach Manuel Jose saw that his side could come back into the match and - with lone striker Flavio Amado struggling to lead the line - he brought Motaeb on for midfielder Hassan Mostafa.

The second half started evenly enough, but Ahly's adventure paid off on 54 minutes. Clemer had nervously cleared following some defensive uncertainty by Inter and a quickly taken throw found Said in space on the left.

He whipped in a lethal cross that Flavio leapt impressively to head over the stranded Inter keeper for a deserved equaliser.

FOOTBALL 2006 FIFA World Club Cup Sport Club Al Ahly Al Ahly Sporting Club-Internacional Flavio

Image credit: Reuters

The sides exchanged opportunities in what was now an open match, Hidalgo going close for the Brazilians with Flavio and Motaeb proving a nuisance for Ahly.

But the Brazilians re-took the lead when - following an injury to star man Pato - substitute Luiz Adriano lost marker El Nahhas to flick home a corner off the inside of the post on 72 minutes.

Ahly continued to press but a lack of physical presence up front allowed Inter to sit back and absorb the pressure.

They acquitted themselves well with neat passing and generally sturdy defending but Inter killed the game and held out for the win which puts them in the final where they will meet either America or clear favourites Barcelona.

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