‘We deserved to score six or seven goals’ – Al Ahly’s Abou Ali

Photo Credit – Al Ahly SC Media.

Al Ahly forward Wessam Abou Ali has revealed his disappointment after the Egyptian side dominated FC Porto in their FIFA Club World Cup battle, but only managed a 4-4 draw at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Tuesday.

Despite the eight-goal thriller, one point was not enough to send the Egyptian Premier League champions into the knockout stages of the global showpiece in the USA.

Wessam Abou Ali stole the headlines with a superb hat-trick for the Egyptians, but a last-gasp rocket from Porto’s Pepê meant both clubs bowed out of the tournament despite producing one of the most entertaining matches so far.

Abou Ali slotted home the opener, but Porto responded in style when 18-year-old sensation Rodrigo Mora shimmyed past the Al Ahly defenders, before coolly rounding the goalkeeper to make it 1-1. However, when Al Ahly were awarded a penalty, Abou Ali made no mistakes to restore their lead heading into the break.

William Gomes rifled home to level for Porto after the break, before Abou Ali completed his hat-trick with a towering header in the 51st minute.

But Porto hit back again through Samu Aghehowa’s well-timed header, before the African side surged ahead once again through Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane’s effort in the 64th minute.

In a final twist, Pepê delivered the blow to Al Ahly, scoring to make it 4-4 in the 89th minute.

“I’m very, very sad. I feel like we should have scored six or seven goals. There were a lot of chances to score more and win the game, but we weren’t focused enough to score, and we didn’t defend well. But I’m happy to have scored the goals and with the performance we put in,” Abou Ali told FIFA.com.

Al Ahly kicked off their campaign with a 0-0 draw against Inter Miami before losing 2-0 against Palmeiras in their second group stage match.