ACTUALITE |
09.12.2001
Al Ahly in control
Champions League final first leg
Al Ahly have taken a giant step towards winning the African Champions League with a 1-1 draw against Sundowns in the first leg of the final in Pretoria.
The Egyptians were jubilant at the end of an entertaining game.
But Hossam El Badry, Al Ahly`s assistant coach warned his side not to be over-confident.
"Obviously I am very happy with the result because we`ve achieved what we came to South Africa for, which was to get a draw. But Sundowns are a good side and we must be careful not to be complacent in the second leg", said El Badry.
"Our players followed our tactical plan to perfection - they were very disciplined. We really troubled Sundowns with our counter-attacks".
Sundowns coach Ted Dumitru was disappointed with his players, especially the forwards.
"Our strikers showed their immaturity especially when they were up against the best organised defence on the continent.
"We had to play with three players who weren`t fully fit and it showed. But there`s still ninety minutes to play in Cairo and we are still hopeful of pulling something out of the bag," said Dumitru.
Sundowns started off the better side and could have taken the lead as early as the 16th minute.
Missed chances
But Carlo Scott`s toe-poke hit the Ahly upright with the keeper well beaten.
Ten minutes later Gift Kampamba, Sundowns` Zambian international midfielder gave his side the lead.
He went on a brilliant run before unleashing a left footed shot from outside the box.
The goal spurred Al Ahly into action and Sundowns had to survive some anxious moments before the half-time whistle.
The home side re-asserted themselves in the opening minutes of the second half but failed to make it count.
Unlucky Qaba
Ahly were able to get into some dangerous positions and the impressive Abdel Hafiz punished the home side.
He headed in a cross from the left in the 58th minute for a goal that was richly deserved.
The Egyptians then proceeded to frustrate Sundowns by retaining possession for long spells.
The South Africans will rue the late miss by substitute Lucky Qaba just two minutes to go.
With the Ahly goal at his mercy, he ballooned his shot over the bar from only five metres out.
The Egyptians must now fancy their chances on home territory in the second leg in two weeks time.
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