Asian Champions Guangzhou Evergrande saw off African counterparts Al Ahly 2-0 on Saturday to set up a FIFA Club World Cup semi-final against European champions Bayern Munich. [Xinhua] |
Asian Champions Guangzhou Evergrande saw off African counterparts Al Ahly 2-0 on Saturday to set up a FIFA Club World Cup semi-final against European champions Bayern Munich.
Brazilian striker Elkeson and Argentina's Dario Conca grabbed second half goals for the Chinese champions in their quarter-final tie.
Guangzhou, coached by Italian World Cup winner Marcello Lippi, will face the German giants in the last-four on Tuesday.
"We will now play against one of the best teams in the world," said Lippi. "You can lose 99 times every 100 times you play them, but you could win one. You never know."
Eight times African champions Al Ahly appeared to suffer from their lack of domestic football, which has been suspended in Egypt since the Port Said stadium disaster last year.
However, the Egyptians were ifted an outstanding chance early in the game when Guangzhou goalkeeper Zeng Cheng kicked a clearance straight at Emad Moteab.
The Al Ahly captain was able to cross to Mohamed Aboutrika, but the 35-year-old headed just over the crossbar to spare Zeng the embarrassment.
Guangzhou broke the deadlock four minutes after halftime when Muriqui's effort was cleared off the line by Ahmed Fathy, but Elkeson followed up to shoot into the roof of the net.
The AFC Champions League winners nearly made it 2-0 three minutes after the opener when Muriqui found space behind Al Ahly's backline only to shoot wide on Ekramy's goal.
Guangzhou doubled their lead in the 67th minute. Captain Zhi Zheng, formerly of Celtic and Charlton Athletic, sent Muriqui on goal with a clever through pass. The Brazilian's shot was saved by Ekramy only for Conca to follow up and slot home.
Said Abdallah hit the bar with a long-range effort for the Egyptians but, apart from that, they never seriously threatened a comeback.
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