Ahly coach laments football stoppage, injuries

Ahly coach Mohamed Youssef lamented the problems that are plaguing Egyptian football after his side failed to reach the Club World Cup semis following a 2-0 loss to China's Guangzhou Evergrande in Agadir on Saturday. The African Champions League winners were outplayed by a vibrant Guangzhou side, who scored two goals in the second half to wrap up a deserved victory and set up a last-four clash against European champions Bayern Munich. Ahly defied the odds en route to an eighth continental title last month but there was no repeat in Morocco as the defensive frailties of their depleted side were repeatedly exposed, paving the way for Elkeson and Dario Conca to settle the tie in Guangzhou's favour. "There are no Egyptian Premier League matches; we could only arrange intermittent friendly games to prepare for the tournament," Youssef, who took over at the club following the sudden departure of Hossam El-Badry, told Al-Jazeera Sports in a pitch-side interview. "Naturally, those who play on a regular basis will be more ready, and that was clear in the latter stages of the game against Guangzhou. "We were also affected by the injuries which hit Abou-Treika and Hossam Ashour during the match. We were forced to make unscripted substitutions. At the end, we have to accept the defeat." Ahly would have set up a mouthwatering semi-final clash against European champions Bayern Munich in the semis had they defeated Guangzhou. They will now face the losers of the other quarter-final tie between hosts Raja Casablanca and Mexico's Monterrey in the fifth-place playoff. Source: Ahram Online