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Straits Times
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
European giants humbled as Club World Cup script gets rewritten
Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Group A - FC Porto v Al Ahly - MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. - June 23, 2025 Al Ahly's Achraf Bencharki celebrates after Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane scores their fourth goal IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Mark Smith REUTERS Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Group B - Paris St Germain v Botafogo - Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, California, U.S. - June 19, 2025 Botafogo's John and Alexander Barboza celebrate after the match as Paris St Germain's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia looks dejected REUTERS/Daniel Cole PHILADELPHIA - The script seemed predetermined - Europe's football giants would cruise through FIFA's expanded Club World Cup against grateful opponents from distant continents. Instead, the tournament has delivered a plot twist, leaving the game's traditional powerhouses scrambling for explanations. With Porto and Atletico Madrid eliminated in the group stage and European sides winning just two of seven matches against South American opposition, the continent's expected dominance has failed to materialise. "We knew beforehand that the tournament came at the end of a long season, whereas for the South Americans it's right in the middle, when they are peaking," lamented Atletico Madrid's Diego Simeone after his side's early exit. The exhaustion narrative has become familiar, with players' union FIFPro Europe pursuing legal action against FIFA over the punishing calendar. There's also America's scorching summer heat. But South Americans, however, reject these explanations entirely. "Having played for many years in Europe, I don't buy this end-of-season fatigue narrative," said Flamengo's Filipe Luis, who played under Simeone at Atletico, after a commanding 3-1 win over Chelsea. "We came here seeing every game as a final. That makes a big difference." Statistics further complicate the European exhaustion argument. Among participating clubs, four Brazilian teams, including Botafogo, top the list for matches played in the last year, each surpassing 70 games. Botafogo, who qualified from Group B along with Paris St Germain at the expense of Atletico Madrid, played 18 more matches than their Spanish opponents during the same period. While Brazilian teams had a month's rest before their domestic season began, their packed schedules have long been a source of complaint in South America. Brazilian great Zico criticised European attitudes, saying, "We are seeing some European figures act like they own football and that must stop. As soon as they see things not going well, they start making lots of excuses." 'They seem unable to play when faced with adversity. The heat is the same for everyone and we have been playing forever the previous version of the Club World Cup at the end of our season. So why is it now a problem?' The Club World Cup in its previous format was played in December. Not all European managers have blamed external factors for their teams' struggles. Juventus coach Igor Tudor said he didn't see "any signs of fatigue" in his squad, while PSG boss Luis Enrique, despite a surprise 1-0 loss to Botafogo, praised the tournament. "I think the concept is brilliant. It's a celebration of all football," Luis Enrique said. "It's no surprise for me. It's nice to see teams from different parts of the world." The tournament, traditionally dominated by European clubs, has seen South American teams embrace the opportunity to challenge the hierarchy and as matches continue under the scorching summer heat, the event has evolved into a genuine global competition. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Saba Yemen
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Saba Yemen
Al-Ahly defeats Ceramica Cleopatra 1-0 in Egyptian Premier League
Cairo - Saba: Al-Ahly defeated Ceramica Cleopatra 1-0 in an Egyptian Premier League match played on Tuesday. The lone goal was scored by Moroccan winger Achraf Bencharki in the 20th minute. This victory extends Al-Ahly's winning streak to four games, putting them at 52 points, five points ahead of Pyramids FC. Ceramica Cleopatra remains in sixth place with 31 points after this loss, following a previous draw with Zamalek. Al-Ahly is currently awaiting a decision from the Egyptian Football Association's Appeals Committee on Thursday regarding a potential three-point deduction due to their withdrawal from a match against Zamalek in March. However, the Egyptian Professional Clubs Association had initially decided against this deduction, a decision which Pyramids FC and Zamalek FC have appealed. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
Al-Ahram Weekly
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Match facts: Ceramica Cleopatra v Ahly (Egyptian Premier League) - Egyptian Football
Ahram Online provided live score coverage for today's Egyptian Premier League Playoff Stage matchday 6 fixture between Ceramica Cleopatra and Ahly. Full time: Ceramica Cleopatra 0-1 Ahly Scorers: Achraf Bencharki 20' Lineups: Ceramica Cleopatra: Mohamed Bassam - Mohamed Shokry, Ahmed Ramadan, Ragab Nabil, Ahmed Hani –Ahmed Belhadji, Mohamed Tony, Mohamed Reda (Ayman Moka 79)- Mahmoud Zalaka ( Mazen Yasser 79)- Fagrie Lakay (Mohamed Reda 90) - Islam Eissa (Marwan Othman 90) Ahly: Mohamed El-Shennawy – Akram Tawfik (Khaled Abdelfattah 86), Mostafa El-Esh, Yasser Ibrahim, Ahmed 'Koka' Nabil – Marwan Attia, Amr El-Sulaya, Emam Ashour – Taher Mohamed (Ahmed Reda 86), Wessam Abou Ali (Nejc Gradisar 78), Achraf Bencharki (Hussein El-Shahat 78) Venue: Arab Contractors Stadium, Cairo Check the match preview HERE. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
05-03-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Ahly beat Talae El-Geish but Pyramids remain in 1st place after overpowering Ceramica
Ahly's relentless attacking display paid off as they secured a 2-0 victory over Talae El-Geish in the 17th round of the Egyptian Premier League at Cairo International Stadium on Wednesday. Ahly Moroccan winger Achraf Bencharki named Man of the Match. However, playing at the same time, first-place Pyramids FC overcame Ceramica Cleopatra 2-1 to maintain their three-point lead over the Red Devils in the race to win their first-ever league trophy. A strike in the opening minute of the second-half from Slovenian striker Nejc Gradisar and an injury-time penalty by Marwan Attia sealed the victory for the Red Devils. Playing with intensity Ahly pressed forward with intent and goals after the start whistle. In the very first minute, Palestinian striker Wissam Abou Ali nearly gave his team an early lead with a left-footed shot that deflected off a Talae defender before being comfortably gathered by the goalkeeper. Ten minutes later, another chance came as Abou Ali met a precise cross from midfielder Emam Ashour, only for his right-footed strike to be denied by El-Geish's keeper. Talae El-Geish relied on a steadfast defense and swift counterattacks to blunt Ahly's early onslaught. In the 23rd minute, a quick counter saw Islam Mohareb send in a cross that was met by Ahmed Meteb's header, which, however, drifted wide. Three minutes later, a well-worked move involving Yussry Whaid and Ragab Omran resulted in a shot from outside the box that Ahly's Mostafa Shobeir easily stopped. Despite numerous efforts, including well-placed crosses from Hussein El-Shahat and strong headers from Achraf Bencharki, the first half ended goalless. However, the breakthrough came early in the second half. A beautifully orchestrated play started with a long pass just outside the penalty area. Emam Ashour rose above the defense to head the ball down for Nejc Gradisar, whose first-touch finish found the back of the net after Talae El-Geish goalkeeper Mohamed Shaaban fumbled an easy save. Buoyed by their opening goal, Ahly continued to press, even as a VAR review in the 60th minute saw a penalty for Wissam Abou Ali overturned. Ahly's persistent pressure earned them a penalty in the seventh minute of injury time after a Talae El-Geish defender, Khaled Awad, over-tackled Ahly winger Ahmed Abdallah. Marwan Attia stepped up confidently and converted, sealing a well-earned victory. With the loss, Talae El-Geish remained in 10th place with 21 points and will fight to avert relegation with eight other teams in the second half of the abridged 25-week exceptional season. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
26-02-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Bencharki strikes again to give Ahly last minute win over Haras El-Hodoud - Egyptian Football
Moroccan winger Achraf Bencharki's injury-time strike earned Ahly a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Haras El-Hodoud in the Egyptian Premier League's 16th matchday at Alexandria's Borg El-Arab Stadium on Wednesday, propelling the title holders back to the summit of the league table - temporarily. The match began with a surprise as Haras El-Hodoud dominated the early proceedings, stifling Ahly's attempts to build momentum. The hosts' resolute defense frustrated the Red Devils, who struggled to carve out clear chances. The Alexandrian side nearly struck first in the 14th minute when a fierce close-range effort forced a sharp save from Ahly goalkeeper Mustafa Shobeir. Ahly then squandered a golden opportunity in the 33rd minute when Hussein El-Shahat's pinpoint cross found Nejc Gradisar, whose header rattled the right post before goalkeeper Mohamed El-Zonfoly caught the rebound easily. The first half ended goalless, prompting Ahly coach Marcel Koller to make two halftime substitutions, introducing winter signing Achraf Bencharki and Amr El-Sulaya for El-Shahat and Ahmed Reda to inject attacking urgency and midfield control. The changes nearly paid dividends in the 66th minute, as Bencharki weaved past defenders and fired a low cross that was cleared back to him, but El-Zonfoly parried his follow-up shot. However, the rebound fell to Palestinian striker Wessam Abou Ali, who scuffed his effort with the goal gaping. Haras El-Hodoud threatened on the counter in the 73rd minute as Mahmoud Mamdouh breezed from the right flank past Ahly's backline before lashing a left-footed strike inches wide of Shobeir's far post. However, with the match seemingly destined for a draw, Bencharki delivered a dramatic winner in the 93rd minute. Second-half substitute Omar Kamal whipped a cross from the right to find a Bencharki who expertly controlled before drilling a right-footed finish into the bottom corner. The 30-year-old Moroccan international, who scored in the two matches he played returning to the Egyptian Premier League in an Ahly jersey earlier this month, was named Man of the Match. The victory lifts Ahly to 36 points, reclaiming top spot on goal difference ahead of Pyramids FC, who face Ittihad of Alexandria on Friday, while Haras El-Hodoud remain sixth with 22 points. Ahly will next host Talae El-Geish on Wednesday, while Haras El-Hodoud travel to NBE Club two days earlier. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
