Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain City: Goalkeeper Khalid Eisa was the hero as Al Ain roared into the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 final after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over River Plate on Tuesday.
Eisa made a string of fantastic saves during normal and extra-time before keeping out Enzo Perez‘s penalty in the shootout to propel The Boss towards a final meeting with either Real Madrid or Kashima Antlers. It is the first time an Emirati side has ever reached the FIFA Club World Cup final.
A brace from Santos Borre and a goal each for Marcus Berg and Caio left the match evenly poised at 2-2 after 120 minutes. And just as they had done in the tournament’s opening match against Team Wellington, Al Ain triumphed on spot-kicks.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: AFC Champions League winners Kashima Antlers have the opportunity to avenge their 2016 FIFA Club World Cup final loss as they do battle with European heavyweights Real Madrid again in this year’s semi-final.
While they met Los Blancos two years ago as tournament hosts, Kashima are this time representing a continent as Asian champions.
The Japanese side’s appearance in 2016 (a 4-2 defeat) remains the only time an Asian club has reached the FIFA Club World Cup showpiece and they are now looking to make history again as the first AFC champions to make it to the final.
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
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: 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.