Substitute Luiz Adriano headed home in the 72nd minute to give Internacional of Brazil a 2-1 win over African champions Ahli in the semi-finals of the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup in Tokyo on Wednesday. Adriano, who came on for Alexandre Pato in the 65th minute, dived to connect with a low corner-kick from Ceara at the near post and pin a header out of Essam Al-Hadari's reach. The win put Internacional in the CWC final where they will face the winner from the other semi-final between Barcelona and Club America of Mexico in the finale while Ahli will play the third place playoff. Internacional grabbed an early opener through Alexandre Pato in the 23rd minute but Flavio Amado headed a brilliant equalizer in the 54th minute. Despite the defeat, Ahli were the more dangerous side throughout the game. Ahli had first crack on goal from Mohamed Abou-Treika whose 4th minute free-kick was handled steadily by goalkeeper Clemer. Internacional grabbed the lead against the run of play in the 24th minute when Pato fired home from point blank range after a miss-pass from Ahli's Hassan Mostafa. The goal opened the appetite of Ahli players for vengeance. In the 32nd minute, Hossam Ashour setup Tarek Al-Saied in the area, but the veteran winger's shot was deflected for a corner. Two minutes later, Mohamed Shawki unleashed a powerful long-range drive that went inches wide.
Flavio scored a brilliant goal Internacional had keeper Clemer to thank for maintaining the lead when he brilliantly leaped to parry away a screaming free-kick from Emad Al-Nahhas in the 37th minute. Ahli's bad luck continued two minutes later when Abou-Treika released a smashing volley that cannoned off the left post. Shawki squandered a golden opportunity to level for Ahli in the dying seconds of the first-half when he chose to acrobatically connect with Islam Al-Shater's cross at the far post only to send the ball over the bar. In the 54th minute, Flavio grabbed a deserved equalizer for the Egyptian giants. The Angolan international towered to connect with Al-Saied's cross and headed home over the out-of-position Clemer. But the Copa Libertadores champions did not give in until Adriano retained the lead. Ahli goalkeeper Al-Hadari was stretched off in the 82nd minute after enduring a muscle strain for the majority of the second half. Internacional resorted to defense in the dying minutes and held on for the hard fought win. The win maintained Brazilian teams' unbeaten record at the Club World Cup.
