Tokyo-Ahmed Abd-Rabou: Internacional coach Abel Braga admitted luck was on his team's side in their 2-1 victory over African champions Ahli in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup in Tokyo on Wednesday. The Brazilian giants survived several scares from their Egyptian opponents before Luiz Adriano grabbed the victory in the 72nd minute. Flavio Amado had cancelled out Alexandre Pato's 24th minute opener in the second half. "Our opponents hit the post and their equalizing goal came out of the blue. Maybe fortune favored us today," Braga told a post-game press conference. The Brazilian tactician said that his players' poor performance was due to the pressure the endured. "We were nervous. It was the biggest game in the club's 99-year history," said Braga. "It was our first game and half the players were below par." Braga dished out praise for his young goal scorers.
Adriano after scoring the winner for Internacional "The two young players have the same responsibility as the other players and I'm happy with them. They were relaxed, they scored and decided the match," he said. He also dished out praise for the five-time African champions. "Ahli were great, I was sure they would be," said the Internacional boss. "I've been following them for a while now, and I know their coach (Manuel) Jose, he's cunning and determined. "You have a great team," he told an Egyptian reporter. Braga also spoke about his team's prospects for the Sunday's final against the winner from the other semi-final between Club America of Mexico and European champions Barcelona. "It will be a tough match-up. I believe Barcelona will be our opponents but I don't care, we're not afraid of anyone."
