2023-12-15 23:55:01
Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahly…a hot Arab summit with a “World Cup flavor”
The confrontation between Al-Ittihad, the champions of Saudi Arabia, and Al-Ahly of Egypt in the FIFA Club World Cup on Friday will not be just a match in which the winner advances to the semi-finals, but rather it is the summit that everyone expected and wanted and the Auckland City coach looked forward to.
There was no better summary than New Zealand’s Auckland coach Albert Vidal’s summary after his team’s loss to Al-Ittihad in the opening of the tournament last Tuesday.
The Spanish coach did not talk much about the reasons for his team’s loss, and made it clear that he was looking forward to facing Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahly, and wanted to enjoy it.
Since the draw was made, the fans on both sides have talked about one thing, which is the awaited Arab summit, which brings to mind their confrontation in the 2005 edition when Al-Ittihad won with a goal by Mohamed Nour, who stressed that he is not afraid of the Egyptian team, but rather trusts in his team’s capabilities.
The two teams are going through a similar stage, as Al-Ahly tied their last three matches in all competitions for the first time since Marcel Kohler took over as coach last year.
Things were not different among the Saudi champions, who entered the tournament after losing 3-1 to Damak in the league last week, and the victory over Auckland came to restore balance to the team.
While Al-Ittihad striker Karim Benzema was confused when he spoke about Al-Hilal instead of Al-Ahly in a press conference this week, his coach Marcelo Gallardo realizes how difficult the confrontation is.
The Argentine coach said after the victory over Auckland: “I realize how difficult the confrontation is against the African champion. “This tournament is important for the team, the fans and Saudi Arabia.”
Brazilian Chico, the former Al-Ittihad player, who participated in the match in Japan in 2005, praised Al-Ahly in an interview with reporters earlier this week.
When asked about Al-Ahly, he added: “I definitely remember him and follow him. Al-Ahly ranked third in two consecutive editions (in Qatar 2021 and Morocco 2022) of the tournament and also became the second team to win the continental championships in the world.”
“Kahraba” previously played for Al-Ittihad (Al-Ahly Club)
Confront friends
The two teams include two Egyptian players: Ahmed Hegazy, Al-Ittihad defender, and Mahmoud Abdel Moneim (Kahraba), Al-Ahly striker, each of whom previously played for the rival ranks earlier in his career.
Hegazy (32 years old) played for Al-Ahly for two seasons before his departure in 2017 to West Bromwich Albion in England and from there to Al-Ittihad three years ago.
The Egyptian national team defender won the league title twice with Al-Ahly, and led Al-Ittihad to regain the local title last season after an absence of 14 years, ensuring his place in the Club World Cup.
Hegazy told the Saudi Sports Company (SSC) station: “Friday’s match will be between the largest team in Africa and Al-Ittihad, the largest team in Asia.”
On the other hand, Kahraba scored nine goals in two seasons with Al-Ittihad after joining the team in 2016.
Kahraba told Al-Ahly’s official website: “Al-Ittihad is one of the strongest Arab teams, and facing it is difficult, but I hope to win.” I am proud of the period I spent with Al-Ittihad over two years, during which I achieved two championships (the Saudi King’s Cup and the Crown Prince’s Cup).”
While Al-Ahly lost to Al-Ittihad, its biggest victory in the World Cup was 4-0 at the expense of Al-Hilal Saudi Arabia, to achieve third place in February 2022.
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