Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Al Ain are showing once again that being the only non-Continental champions competing at the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 is no barrier to success.
This is the fourth year in a row - and sixth time in eight years - that the tournament’s host club has made it to the semi-finals, though only Raja Casablanca (2013) and Kashima Antlers (2016) have progressed to the final.
On both of those occasions, South American opposition were defeated – with Raja beating Ronaldinho’s Atletico Mineiro and Kashima defeating Atletico Nacional of Colombia.
In reaching the last four, Al Ain have matched the achievement of fellow UAE side Al Jazira, who lost to Real Madrid at the same stage last year. It means that Zoran Mamic’s men are now aiming to make history by becoming the first Emirati club to reach the FIFA Club World Cup final.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Al Ain coach Zoran Mamic is relishing the prospect of locking horns with “one of the biggest teams in the world” when his side take on River Plate in the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 semi-final.
Al Ain produced an imperious display to brush aside African champions Esperance at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium as goals from Mohamed Ahmad, Hussein El Shahat and Bandar Al Ahbabi secured a 3-0 victory.
Mamic was understandably delighted with his team’s showing and is now looking ahead to a high-profile clash with Copa Libertadores winners River.
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.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Kashima Antlers coach Go Oiwa immediately set his sights on European giants Real Madrid after watching his side come from behind to beat Guadalajara 3-2 in their FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 quarter-final on Saturday.
The 2018 AFC Champions League winners scored three second-half goals to advance to Wednesday’s semi-final, where the reigning European champions await in Abu Dhabi.
It is a rematch of the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup final, which Real won 4-2. But Oiwa, who was Kashima assistant coach two years ago, is now focused on causing an upset this time around.
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.