Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: UAE Pro League champions Al Jazira ended their 2017 FIFA Club World Cup campaign in fourth place following a 4-1 defeat to Mexican side Pachuca at Zayed Sports City Stadium on Saturday.
The Abu Dhabi side had turned heads with an impressive display against European champions Real Madrid in the semi-final, despite eventually losing 2-1. Real Madrid retained the title with a 1-0 win over Brazilian side Gremio, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring the winner.
Henk ten Cate’s men were without goalkeeper Ali Khaseif for the third-place play-off against Pachuca. The UAE international had hobbled off early into the second half against Real Madrid with Al Jazira leading 1-0.
Following an even first half hour, Al Jazira found themselves behind in the 37th minute when defender Saif Khalfan failed to control the ball, allowing Franco Jara to take possession and supply a through pass to Jonathan Urretaviscaya who finished exquisitely with the outside of his right foot.
UAE international Khalfan Mubarak brought the game level in the 57th minute. Goalkeeper Alfonso Blanco saved from Romarinho before defender Emmanuel Garcia cleared Mbark Boussoufa’s rebound shot off the goal line, but his clearance went only as far as Mubarak who rifled home on the half-volley.
The Emiratis’ celebrations didn’t last long as the CONCACAF champions responded instantly after a quick break. Garcia delivered a cross from the left wing for Jara to sweep home his side’s second of the night at the hour-mark.
Substitute Roberto de la Rosa extended Pachuca’s lead immediately after coming on to replace Jara with 12 minutes to go. The 17-year-old broke Al Jazira’s offside trap to find himself head-to-head with Al Senani and applied a composed finish to put the match beyond doubt for the Liga MX side.
De la Rosa was penalised inside the penalty box and the referee pointed to the spot. Chilean forward Angelo Saga stepped up to convert the penalty to heap more misery on the UAE champions with a fourth goal in the 83rd minute to round the scoring.
For all the home side’s disappointment, there was still joy for Asia as Japanese midfielder Keisuke Honda was on the bench for Pachuca and earned a bronze medal, having started the team’s first two matches against Wydad Casablanca and Gremio.