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Played
December 9, 2012 10:30 AM GMT
Toyota Stadium — Toyota
Attendance: 27314
December 9, 2012 10:30 AM GMT
Toyota Stadium — Toyota
Attendance: 27314
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| Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 1.90 | 29.00 | 2.00 | 0.00 | 41.00 | 1.95 | 50.00 | 65.00 | 1.85 |
| Draw | 3.20 | 5.50 | 3.20 | 0.00 | 5.50 | 3.25 | 6.00 | 6.60 | 3.37 |
| Al-Ahly | 3.60 | 1.18 | 3.50 | 0.00 | 1.14 | 3.80 | 1.10 | 1.09 | 4.20 |
Top of the Match
Al-Sayed Hamdy
Al-Ahly SC
Al-Ahly SC
Naoki Ishihara
Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Flop of the Match
Waleed Soliman
Al-Ahly SC
Al-Ahly SC
Koji Morisaki
Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1-2 Al-Ahly: African champions grind out tough win in the snow as J-League MVP fails to finish
The early departure of goalkeeper Shunsaku Nishikawa weighed heavily on Sanfrecce as they conceded an early goal and failed once again to improve on their finishing
By Dan Orlowitz
TORU YAMANAKA
African champions Al-Ahly completed an improbable victory over Japan’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Sunday, sending them to a semi-final clash with Corinthians on Wednesday night.
The host representatives were thrown into turmoil when goalkeeper Shunsaku Nishikawa was involved in an accidental collision with Egyptian international Gedo, appearing to receive a deep cut to his left cheek from the striker’s knee. He was relieved by rookie Takuya Masuda, who did not make a league start in 2012.
The Egyptian side took advantage of Sanfrecce’s shock, grasping firm control of the match and finally drawing first blood in the 15th minute through Al Sayed Hamdy’s clever strike. The goal shocked the J-League side back into action as they quickly marshalled their pass-heavy attacking style and pushed forward.
But it was another injury - this time to Al-Ahly captain Hossam Ghaly - that gave Sanfrecce a chance to equalize. With captain Hossam Ghaly receiving medical attention on the side-lines and a substitute yet to appear, Sanfrecce captain Hisato Sato scored the equalizer with a brilliant low strike in the 32nd minute. Sanfrecce continued to pressure through the end of the first half but were unable to take the lead.
The pace calmed down considerably as the second half began, but Al Ahly recaptured took the lead in the 57th minute on Mohamed Aboutrika’s close-range shot after he beat out defender Kazuhiko Chiba to receive Fathy’s cross deep in the Sanfrecce zone.
Sato had several more chances on the night, including a one-on-one chance after the 80th minute that he sent wide of the net. Another shot late was blocked by Al Ahly goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy, who was given plenty of work on the night but survived mostly unscathed to the delight of roughly 100 supporters who made the trip to Japan.
The result set up an all-Asian battle for fifth place in the competition, as Sanfrecce will play Ulsan Hyundai on Wednesday afternoon before Al-Ahly and Conmebol champions Corinthians face off in the main event.
The host representatives were thrown into turmoil when goalkeeper Shunsaku Nishikawa was involved in an accidental collision with Egyptian international Gedo, appearing to receive a deep cut to his left cheek from the striker’s knee. He was relieved by rookie Takuya Masuda, who did not make a league start in 2012.
The Egyptian side took advantage of Sanfrecce’s shock, grasping firm control of the match and finally drawing first blood in the 15th minute through Al Sayed Hamdy’s clever strike. The goal shocked the J-League side back into action as they quickly marshalled their pass-heavy attacking style and pushed forward.
But it was another injury - this time to Al-Ahly captain Hossam Ghaly - that gave Sanfrecce a chance to equalize. With captain Hossam Ghaly receiving medical attention on the side-lines and a substitute yet to appear, Sanfrecce captain Hisato Sato scored the equalizer with a brilliant low strike in the 32nd minute. Sanfrecce continued to pressure through the end of the first half but were unable to take the lead.
The pace calmed down considerably as the second half began, but Al Ahly recaptured took the lead in the 57th minute on Mohamed Aboutrika’s close-range shot after he beat out defender Kazuhiko Chiba to receive Fathy’s cross deep in the Sanfrecce zone.
Sato had several more chances on the night, including a one-on-one chance after the 80th minute that he sent wide of the net. Another shot late was blocked by Al Ahly goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy, who was given plenty of work on the night but survived mostly unscathed to the delight of roughly 100 supporters who made the trip to Japan.
The result set up an all-Asian battle for fifth place in the competition, as Sanfrecce will play Ulsan Hyundai on Wednesday afternoon before Al-Ahly and Conmebol champions Corinthians face off in the main event.
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Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In GMT
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
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César Fabián Delgado Midfielder Monterrey |
3 | 0 |
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Hisato Sato Striker Sanfrecce Hiroshima |
3 | 0 |
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Paolo Guerrero Striker Corinthians |
2 | 0 |
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J. Corona Midfielder Monterrey |
2 | 0 |
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Fernando Torres Striker Chelsea |
1 | 0 |
