Percy Tau's Al Ahly miss out on FIFA Club World Cup final

Two second-half goals from Jhon Arias and John Kennedy saw Fluminense register a hard-fought victory over the African champions in the semi-final clash at King Abdullah Sports City on Monday.

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The Copa Libertadores champions controlled possession but were often breached by Ahly's counter-attacks, where Tau, Hussein El Shahat, and Mahmoud Kahraba used their pace to cause problems for the Brazilian big guns.

However, it was Arias causing problems for the Egyptian outfit as he struck the woodwork twice in the opening 45 minutes, as the score remained goalless at half-time.

The second-half continued in the same vein with Fluminense controlling proceedings but Ahly applying pressure on the break, as 43-year-old goalkeeper Fabio was tested by Tau, Kahraba, and El Shahat.

But the match turned in favour of the South Americans when former Real Madrid full-back Marcelo drew a foul from Tau inside Ahly's box, with VAR justifying the referee's decision to point to the spot.

Arias then stepped up to slot the spot-kick beyond the reach of Mohamed El Shenawy.

Tau could have responded immediately but sent a header from point-blank range straight at Fabio, who saved comfortably to keep his side in front.

With Marcel Koller's charges pushing for the equaliser, they were left exposed at the back and Kennedy then made no mistake as he fired a left-footed shot home to book Fluminense's place in the final.

European champions Man City on Tuesday face Asian champions Urawa Reds of Japan in the second semi-final, with the winner setting up a final date with Fluminense while the loser will face Ahly in the third-place play-off on Friday.

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