Egypt's Ahly coach Hossam Al Badry (Photo: Reuters)
Egyptian side Ahly will face Japanese champions Hiroshima on Sunday in the Club World Cup after the hosts defeated New Zealand’s Auckland City Thursday.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima clinched the victory in the 66th minute when Toshihiro Aoyama scored the match's only goal.
Early Thursday, Ahly manager Hossam El-Badry announced that his squad have already adapted themselves to the weather and time-zone and are capable of chalking up success in the tournament.
"Ahly players have experience playing in Japan after reaching the tournament three times," the 52-year-old tactician was quoted as saying on the club's official website.
"I felt relieved when I saw our players' performance in the friendly we played in Japan, which we won 4-0. Ahly players are totally capable of representing Egypt internationally; they will make the crowd proud," he added.
El-Badry also announced earlier that he did not care which opponent his team faced, insisting that they were ready to play any side.
The Red Devils will make a fourth appearance at the tournament after winning the African Champions League last month, following a 3-2 aggregate victory over Tunisia's Esperance.
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