ABU DHABI: Host club Al Jazira beat AS Pirae, an amateur side from Tahiti, 4-1 on Thursday in the opening game of the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi.

Al Jazira, the UAE Pro League champions, struck three times in the first half at Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium with goals from Zayed Al Ameri, Ahmed Al Hashmi and Milos Kosanovic.

Pirae pulled one back early in the second half when Mohammed Rabii sliced a cross into his own net, but Abdoulay Diaby curled in a fourth for Al Jazira just past the hour.

Al Jazira will play Asian Champions League winners Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia in the next round, with the winner of that match advancing to face Chelsea in the semi-finals of the seven-team event.

Pirae were nominated to represent the Oceania region after Auckland City withdrew for the second year in a row because of New Zealand’s strict Covid-19 measures.

Egyptian giants Al Ahly take on CONCACAF Champions League winners Monterrey of Mexico in the second round on Saturday for the right to play Brazil’s Copa Libertadores champions Palmeiras in the other last-four tie.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2022