Mexican side Monterrey took third place at the Club World Cup in Japan on Sunday, defeating African champions Al Ahly 2-0.
Goals from Jesus Corona and Cesar Delgado were enough to see the CONCACAF champions win.
It wasn’t an easy win though; the Egyptians did see plenty of the ball and managed to create numerous goal-scoring opportunities.
Winger Corona kicked things off by scoring in the first three minutes of the game.
He tapped it into an open goal after Al Ahly goalkeeper Mahmoud Abou Elseoud and defender Sayed Moawad collided with each other as they both tried to clear the ball.
Striker Delgado almost made it 2-0 after 24 minutes with a sidefooted shot from inside the box but the ball went wide.
Al Ahly Striker Emad Meteab attempted an equalizer with powerful header, but it struck the post.
Coming back from half time – Egypt’s forward Mohamed Aboutrika had another golden opportunity -- this time forcing Monterrey goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco to make a superb save as he firmly struck the ball from near the penalty spot.
The Cairo club pressed forward but the equaliser never came and on 66 minutes they were hit on the counterattack, Delgado breaking through Al Ahly's backline to chip the ball over their keeper and straight into the net.
Monterrey finishes the annual intercontinental tournament in third place, with coach Victor Vucetich expressing his happiness "this is our second Club World Cup and compared to last year we did better.”
Al Ahly coach Hossam El-Badry said: "I am very much disappointed….We had many opportunities which we missed. If those opportunities had been taken then I think we would have been able to reverse the score."
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