Ahly will maintain their habit of only targeting trophies when they begin their FIFA Club World Cup campaign on Sunday, coach Hossam El-Badry said.

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.

Two of their previous participations ended in disappointment, but they finished an impressive third in the 2006 competition.

"It’s a personal challenge for me and a challenge for Ahly. I came to Japan three times as the assistant coach, and I’m now in charge of the team. My aim is to safeguard Ahly’s status in African and international football," El-Badry told a news conference in Japan on Tuesday.

"I’m dreaming of a new achievement. Ahly always play to win trophies and my task as a coach is to maintain that."

Ahly will kick off their campaign against either Auckland City of New Zealand or hosts Sanfrecce Hiroshima of Japan, who meet in the first-round game on Thursday.

Should the Cairo giants advance, they will set up a mouth-watering clash against Brazil’s Corinthians in the semi-final.

"We are now accustomed to the atmosphere in Japan, having played there three times before," El-Badry added.

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