FIFACWC: Riveiro bemoans missed chances for Al Ahly in Inter Miami draw

Jose Riveiro - Photo Credit Al Ahly Media.

Al Ahly head coach Jose Riveiro admitted that his Egyptian side would have started off the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with a win if they were more clinical in front of goal in Saturday's 0-0 tournament opener against Inter Miami at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

Taking charge of his first competitive fixture since taking over at the North African outfit after his decision to quit Orlando Pirates of South Africa, the Spaniard tactician admitted to being impressed with his side’s display in the first stanza when Inter Miami had to survive waves of pressure but were saved by keeper Oscar Ustari, who made five saves to keep the Herons level at half-time.

Despite all eyes being on Lionel Messi, it was Miami goalkeeper Ustaric, who made superb saves to deny Al Ahly and in the second period, the Egyptian champions needed the steady hands of custodian Mohamed El Shenawy to escape an equally lively second half.

Egypt should have taken the lead in the 43rd minute, but Ustaric produced a superb save to deny forward Trezeguet from the penalty spot.

“It’s a football game, a game of mistakes. We had a decent amount of chances in the first half to put the game in a different space and we put them in a hurry,” said Riveiro after the game as quoted by FIFA.com.

“In the second half we were defending a little lower than what we wanted and then we had some problems in transition with controlling our first pass. It’s like we were playing in Cairo and that was a surprise for me in my first official match with Al Ahly. To be here in the States and have it like you were playing at home is something that can probably only happen in this.”

Al Ahly will return for their matchday two action against Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras on Thursday, June 19 at MetLife Stadium while Messi and Inter Miami will next face FC Porto on the same day at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.