Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Al Ain ensured there will be two Asian representatives in the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 semi-finals after a comprehensive 3-0 victory over African champions Esperance on Saturday.
Early strikes from Mohamed Ahmad and Hussein El Shahat set reigning UAE Pro League champions on their way and a second-half goal from Bandar Al Ahbabi secured the win. Al Ain will now take on Copa Libertadores winners River Plate in the semi-final back at their Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Tuesday.
Both teams unfurled enormous banners ahead of the game and there was frenzied atmosphere throughout the all-Arab clash.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: AFC Champions League winners Kashima Antlers of Japan battled back from a goal down to beat CONCACAF champions CD Guadalajara of Mexico 3-2 to book a FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 semi-final against Real Madrid.
In 2016, Kashima lost to Los Blancos in the FIFA Club World Cup final and now, thanks to second-half goals by Ryota Nagaki, Serginho and Hiroki Abe, they will have the opportunity to renew rivalries in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
Asian champions had fallen at the first hurdle of the tournament in four of the past six years but Kashima avoided the same fate as Urawa Red Diamonds (2017), Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (2016), Western Sydney Wanderers (2014) and Ulsan Hyundai Motors (2012) with a spirited showing at Al Ain’s Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Al Ain coach Zoran Mamic praised his side’s “big character” after they battled back to avoid a FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 upset against Team Wellington on Wednesday.
The Boss found themselves 3-0 down after 44 minutes but showed great spirit to score three goals and take the match to extra-time and then penalties.
Two saves from goalkeeper Khalid Eisa saw Al Ain emerge victorious and they now play CAF Champions League winners Esperance in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
Despite watching his side struggle to beat a semi-professional team, Mamic was happy with the resilience demonstrated by his players.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Al Ain survived a major scare from New Zealand side Team Wellington, fighting back from three goals down to edge Wednesday's pulsating opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 4-3 on penalties after the tie ended 3-3.
The Boss have won the UAE Pro League title in four of the past seven seasons and expectations were high that they could progress into the latter stages of the competition, where the likes of River Plate and Real Madrid await.
But the 2003 AFC Champions League winners almost succumbed to a defeat, needing a penalty shootout to advance as their defence was badly exposed by the OFC side.