UAE’s Al Jazira to play Real in Club World Cup semis

Published December 11, 2017
ABU DHABI: Al Jazira’s (L to R) Ahmed Rabee, Salem Rashid and Salem Ali Ibrahim celebrate at the end of their FIFA Club World Cup match against Urawa Red Diamonds at the Zayed Sports City Stadium.—Reuters
ABU DHABI: Al Jazira’s (L to R) Ahmed Rabee, Salem Rashid and Salem Ali Ibrahim celebrate at the end of their FIFA Club World Cup match against Urawa Red Diamonds at the Zayed Sports City Stadium.—Reuters

ABU DHABI: Hosts Al Jazira edged past Asian champions Urawa Red Diamonds 1-0 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday to set up a Club World Cup semi-final clash with favourites Real Madrid.

The Japanese side had 65 percent possession but it was Ali Mabkhout who scored the winner seven minutes after halftime from a pass by Romarinho in the first all-Asian clash for a final four spot since 2010.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real will take on the Emirati side on Wednesday.

The other semi-final, on Tuesday, will pitch Pachuca from Mexico against Copa Libertadores winners Gremio of Brazil.

Pachuca, the club champion of the Caribbean and North and Central American region, reached the last four with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Wydad Casablanca after extra time.

Midfielder Victor Guzman headed in a cross by Jonathan Urretaviscaya after 112 minutes against the Moroccans, who were left with 10 men after Brahim Nakach was sent off following a second yellow card in the 69th minute at Zayed Sports City Stadium.

Gremio, like European champions Real, have a bye straight to the last four.

Published in Dawn, December 11th, 2017

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