Egyptian heavyweights Al Ahly have progressed to the second round of the FIFA Club World Cup after defeating Auckland City in the first round on Wednesday night.
The 2022 CAF Champions League runners-up are appearing in the intercontinental competition for the third consecutive year and eighth overall since making their debut back in 2005.
The Red Devils finished third in the 2020 and 2021 editions and started on the front foot in Tanger on Wednesday night with Hussein Al Shahat giving them the lead in added time of the first half.
It became 2-0 in the 56th minute after Mohamed Sherif was played through on goal and calmly tucked the ball in. South Africa international and former Brighton & Hove Albion forward Percy Tau had the final say four minutes from time with a composed finish.
The last act in the game came from Auckland defender Adam Mitchell who was shown a red card in the seventh minute of added time for a reckless challenge on the edge of the penalty area.
Marching on to the next round 🇪🇬🔥@AlAhly | #ClubWC pic.twitter.com/5HxF1NlNCt
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) February 1, 2023
Ahly will now get to face CONCACAF Champions League winners Seattle Sounders of the United States in the second round on Saturday again in Tanger.
Reigning African champions Wydad Casablanca will also tackle Asian champions Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia in the other second round fixture.
