Ahli bowed out of the Club World Cup with a 1-0 defeat to Corinthians despite a gutsy second half performance from the Egyptians. A first-half header from Peru striker Paolo Guerrero was enough for the Brazilians, who qualify for the final to face the winner of the game between Chelsea and Monterrey. Ahli still have a chance to repeat their bronze medal feat of 2006 as they face the loser of the Chelsea-Monterrey game for the third place. Hossam Al-Badri made one change to the side who beat Hiroshima in the semis, with the injured Hossam Ghaly making way for youngster Rami Rabiea, who had an excellent game in midfield. Better second half The first half expectedly started with the Brazilians dictating play as Ahli's counter plan almost worked when Rabiea headed wide the first chance of the game. But that was Ahli's only attempt on goal before half time, with Corinthians taking a deserved lead through Guerrero, who merited on some poor marking to head home past Sherif Ekrami. The Reds looked more courageous after the break albeit without any genuine danger on Cassio's goal, which prompted Al-Badri to play his wild card by introducing Mohamed Abou-Treika for the off-form Abdullah Al-Saied. But a major scare appeared at the other end of the pitch when Ekrami seemed to have pulled a hamstring, minutes after making way for reserve goalie Mahmoud Aboul-Saoud. Once again the unfancied Rabiea proved to be Ahli's main source of danger when he unleashed a powerful shot that went inches wide. Then came the Egyptians' best chance of the game, with the classy Abou-Treika sending Ahmed Fathi through, only for the defender to blast wide after almost getting past the keeper from a tight angle. It gradually turned into a one-side affair, with Ahli looking by far a better side than the one who lost the first half, while the Brazilians were happy to sit back and thwart their opponents. Two more shots off target from Walid Soliman and Rabiea followed but that was never enough for the African champions, who despite their defeat, were the better side on the night.
