Tokyo-Ahmed Abd-Rabou: Ahli manager Manuel Jose said that his team showed 'character' in their Club World Cup semi-final match against Internacional of Brazil which ended in a 2-1 defeat for the African champions. The Portuguese manager admitted that naïve mistakes were behind Ahli's defeat. "We showed character but we were a bit tactically naive. "We gave them too much space, that was not in the plan," Jose told reporters after the match. Luiz Adriano headed the winner for the South American giants in the 72nd minute after Flavio Amado cancelled out Alexandre Pato's opener. "Their first goal was lucky and we made a defensive mistake for their second," said the Portuguese tactician. Jose admitted that skill and experience also favored his opponents. "Brazil is the most advanced footballing country in the world," he said. "You can't compare Brazilian football and Egyptian football." But Jose refused to concede his players were not up to the challenge while insisting Internacional were lucky. "Sometimes all you need is luck in football. "We don't think we were in any way inferior to them," he added. Commenting on Essam Al-Hadari's injury, Jose said: "He probably injured the interior ligament of his right knee."
Ahli played a strong game Al-Hadari had to be replaced in the 82nd minute after sustaining an injury early in the second-half. "We are not sure how bad it is, yet," said Jose. "But it looks like he will be out of action for a while." Jose shed the light n his team's opportunities in the third place playoff. "Of course I would like to face Club America," said Jose when asked who he would like to face in Sunday's match. "But to be honest, I believe a clash with Barcelona (if they lose) would be more exciting." "Regardless, we will be going for the win, that's what we always do." Jose concluded the conference by slamming the Club World Cup system that favors the European and South American champions, who are granted first-round byes. "Of course it's (the system) not fair," said Jose. "This is a tournament for continental champions, which means all teams should be granted the same opportunity to prove themselves. The former Benfica and Sporting boss said that the CWC system was not based on footballing measures, but rather on financial ones. "It's not just that they receive first-round byes, the European and South American only face each other in the final." "It would be great to see someone else reach the World Cup final, but I guess it's more useful financially to set-up a final between teams from Europe and South America."
