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Ittihad upset Al Ahly in world club opener
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-12-11 21:59

TOKYO, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad beat Al Ahly 1-0 in the opening match of the FIFA Club World Championship on Sunday, snapping the Egyptian club's 55-match unbeaten run in the process.

Ittihad captain Mohammed Noor pounced on a bad error from goalkeeper Essam El Hadary in the 78th minute, poking the ball home to set up a semi-final with Brazil's Sao Paulo.

"It will be difficult for us to play Sao Paulo," said Ittihad's Romanian coach Anghel Iordanescu. "But we hope this victory give us more power and more confidence."

Ittihad's victory brought to an end Al Ahly's remarkable run in all competitions dating back to July 2004.

Al Ittihad dominated after the break in freezing conditions in Tokyo with striker Mohammed Kallon forcing a smart block from El Hadary moments before Noor's goal.

El Hadary flapped at a cross from Ittihad right-back Ahmed Al Dosari, however, giving Noor the simplest of finishes.

There was no sign of ill feeling among the players despite the war of words that erupted between the clubs in the build-up to the match.

FORMAL PROTEST

Ittihad were angered after a formal protest from Ahly led to three players from the Asian champions being ruled ineligible for the tournament by FIFA.

"After FIFA informed us, the players were mentally down and the biggest problem was to lift them," said Iordanescu. "I'm very proud of the players."

Ahly manager Manuel Jose took defeat philosophically, lamenting a poor second half display from the African champions.

"We didn't deserve to win after that second half," said the Portuguese. "It was just long ball, long ball, long ball. After 55 games we had to lose one day. Today was the wrong moment to lose but life is like that."

European champions Liverpool, like Libertadores Cup holders Sao Paulo, join the revamped six-team competition at the semi-final stage in midweek.

Sao Paulo will meet Ittihad in Tokyo on Wednesday.

Sydney FC take on Costa Rica's Deportivo Saprissa in the tournament's second match on Monday.



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