
File Photo: Ahly s goalkeeper Mohamed el-Shenawy. Photo: AFP
The Reds, who suffered from some shaky performances recently, will kick off their campaign directly from the second round on Friday when they face Saudi rivals Ittihad Jeddah who defeated New Zealand's Auckland City FC in the first round on Tuesday.
Mohamed El-Shennawy
“This marks my fourth participation in the tournament, a significant event for our club. Our ambition this time is to advance to the final, building on our previous achievement of securing the bronze medal,” Ahly Skipper and goalkeeper El-Shennawy told the club's website.
“Ahly players have gained valuable experience in major tournaments, having previously faced big teams such as Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. This seasoned exposure has prepared us for challenging confrontations in the upcoming matches,” he added.
Rami Rabia
“We want to end the tournament on a high note. Our main mission is to pass the first game on Friday,” the defender said.
"All the players share a winning mentality, and the key is to maintain full concentration during the games while giving our utmost effort to secure a new achievement for Ahly.
"Coach Koller has emphasized the importance of focusing solely on the tournament and executing his strategy, aiming for outstanding performances, particularly after the team's recent unstable form," he continued.
Amr Al-Sulya
"Playing at the Club World Cup is a great addition to every player. Seeing Ahly playing there with the best teams is very good,” the midfielder said.
“The upcoming Ittihad game is expected to be strong, given the team's significant development and the addition of several outstanding international players. Our aim is to deliver strong performances and achieve positive results in order to satisfy our fans during the tournament,” he concluded.
Egypt's most successful club Ahly will make their eighth appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup after finishing third in 2006, 2020, and 2021.
The 2023 edition in Jeddah features seven continental champions. It is scheduled to take place from 12 to 22 December.
Real Madrid currently hold the record for the most FIFA Club World Cup wins, having triumphed on five occasions.
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