Tokyo-Ahmed Abd-Rabou: Ahli coach Manuel Jose said on Wednesday that he was confident his team would qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) for the second successive year. The Egyptian champions became the first team to participate in the CWC for two years in a row when they beat Sfaxien in the African Champions League final, courtesy of Mohamed Abou-Treika's last-gasp strike. After Ahli's poor show in the last edition of the CWC, which saw them finish sixth, Jose promised that the Cairo giants will return back to Japan in 2006. "It was a crazy thing to say, because in football you can't give any promises," the Portuguese manager told a press conference in Nagoya on Wednesday. "But I had full confidence in the players' abilities and was sure they won't let me down," he added. "Without a doubt, our poor form last season was due to the huge psychological pressure the players suffered, but I'm sure today they are very relaxed to produce an entertaining performance."
Shadi Mohamed fainted during the press conference Ahli skipper Shadi Mohamed fell unconscious during the press conference was but was revived moments later with the help of teammate Essam Al-Hadari and Jose. The Portuguese boss said midfielder Hossam Ashour also fainted last year, which prompted Ahli to fly to Japan a week before the CWC opener this time around in order to get used to the big difference in weather and time. "I can't understand those who criticize us because we traveled a little bit early; you saw what happened to Shadi and this is clear evidence that our decision to come to Japan early is correct," he said. On the other hand, Jose allayed fears that playmaker Abou-Treika may miss Ahli's opener against Auckland City on Sunday due to injury. The Egypt international was stretched off the training pitch on Tuesday after twisting his ankle. "It is a minor injury and I expect he will take part in the game but the team's doctor will have the final decision," Jose said.
