Ahli will be facing Hiroshima Sanfrecce in the Club World Cup quarter-finals after the Japanese champions grabbed a 1-0 victory over Auckland City. A fabulous strike from Toshihiro Aoyama settled the game when the midfielder fired a rocketing effort from range on 66 minutes. The goal sends the J. League champs to the quarter-finals, where they meet African champions Ahli next Sunday. Dominance Hiroshima were by far the better side over the 90 minutes despite a late scare which saw an effort from striker Andrew Mline go inches over the bar. The part-timers from New Zealand were lucky not to concede more, with Hiroshima having nine shots on goal against two from their visitors. Apart from that, Hiroshima were denied by the woodwork three times on the night. Auckland goalkeeper Tamati Williams also made a number of crucial saves, including a wonderful double stop just before the goal.
