Egypt's Ahly open their Club World Cup campaign against China's Guangzhou Evergrande on Saturday but their fans are still discussing a possible meeting with European champions Bayern Munich Ahly were hoping their supporters would turn their attentions to the team's Club World Cup opener against Guangzhou Evergrande as it approaches but, to the dismay of coach Mohamed Youssef, pre-tournament discussions are merely about a possible clash against Bayern Munich. The Red Devils face China's Guangzhou in the Club World Cup quarter-final in Agadir on Saturday, with both sides eyeing a potential mouthwatering clash against European champions Bayern Munich in the semis. Ahly's enthusiastic fans discussed everything but the game against Guangzhou, flooding social networking websites with comments ranging from the team's chances of beating Bayern to sarcasm over how many goals they would concede if they faced the Bavarians. “I disagree with whoever is talking about a game against Bayern Munich, such thoughts are unrealistic,” Youssef, who steered Ahly to a record-extending eighth Champions League title few months after taking over from Hossam El-Badry, said in an interview with FIFA.com. “Anyone who understands football well must realise that the most important game is the opening one against Evergrande. Our Chinese opponents are strong.” Guangzhou, who are led by Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi, are no pushovers, having become the first Chinese side to win the AFC Champions League following some emphatic victories in the knockout stages. “They won the domestic league and the Asian Cup, their squad boasts three excellent foreigners, two Brazilians and an Argentinean player, and they have seven players who are members of China's national team,” Youssef said. “If we either want to face Bayern or compete for the third then our game against Evergrande is the key. For us, this tournament simply means beating Evergrande in the first game.” Tough task Ahly, who will make their fifth Club World Cup appearance, are seeking to at least match their third-place finish in the 2006 edition. However, odds are stacked against them despite their impressive Champions League triumph. Domestic football stoppage is still taking its toll on Egyptian clubs and Ahly did not even have adequate time to prepare for the tournament as their international players were busy taking part in Egypt's World Cup playoff against Ghana. They could only arrange some low-key friendly matches, including a 2-1 victory over Morocco's MAS Fez. “They [Ahly] are obviously a good team, well-organized. They are physically and mentally prepared well for the match. It will be a tough match for both of us,” Lippi said. The Cairo giants were dealt a double blow just before the tournament after two influential defenders were injured. Veteran left-back Sayed Moawad has been ruled out of the tournament with a hamstring injury while versatile defender Sherif Abdel-Fadil will miss the opening match against Guangzhou with a calf complaint. “We will be aiming to draw a good image for Egyptian football,” Youssef stated. “It is difficult to promise anything. But Ahly's goal is always winning. This is our way of thinking.” (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at@AO_Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/89004.aspx
