December 16, 2005
TOKYO (AFP) - Goals from former Manchester United star Dwight Yorke and Everton reject David Carney gave Sydney a 2-1 victory over Al Ahly, consigning the African champions to last place in the World Club Championships.
The English element proved crucial to Sydney whose victory is the biggest of their fledgling career, helping them avoid the embarrassment of the wooden spoon in the fifth place playoff.
That distinction went to the Egyptian side who came into the tournament unbeaten in a 55-game streak stretching back 18 months.
They have only themselves to blame, missing a hatful of chances that should have put the game beyond the reach of the Oceania champions.
"Al Ahly played very well and put us under a lot of pressure. We were lucky to win," admitted Sydney's German coach Pierre Littbarski.
"But the important thing is the result. We are a young team and we are just enjoying this victory."
He singled out Yorke for particular praise, crediting him with being the engine of the team.
"He's our motivator and the heart of our team. His work rate was very high today and he also scored a good goal. He is very important to us."
Ah Ahly coach Manuel Jose said the result was not fair.
"I'm happy with my team, we played good football. We should have won because we were the better team, but we must accept this," he said.
"To be honest, this just hasn't been our tournament."
Al Ahly had the better of the first half, relentlessly spreading the ball wide to Mohammed Barakat on the right wing who pumped balls into the box.
It was this devastating tactic that was largely responsible for their remarkable unbeaten run, which was brought to an end by Asian champions Al Ittihad in the opening match of the tournament last Sunday.
Barakat was given acres of space by Sydney and the Africans had a glorious chance to take the lead after 25 minutes when he picked out Emad Motab, who sent his header sailing over the bar.
Sydney picked up the pace as they got used to the chilly conditions and took the lead against the run of play in the 35th minute.
In a blast from the past, 34-year-old Yorke outjumped the Ahly defence to steer a header into the net after Steve Corica lofted a freekick into the box.
Yorke was playing an uncharacteristic central midfield role, allowing Japanese legend Kazuyoshi Miura to play up front.
Kaza, in his last game for Sydney following a five-game loan, showed flashes of his old magic, launching some nifty runs and entertaining the crowd with backheels and Cristiano Ronaldo-like oversteps.
But Ahly always looked dangerous on the break and they got their reward almost on the halftime whistle when Motab burst through the Sydney defence and rounded keeper Clint Bolton to score the equaliser.
Both sides looked vulnerable in the second half and chances went begging before Carney, who played for Everton youth before moving to Oldham, latched onto a ball from Sasho Petrovski in the 66th minute.
He sent his shot underneath goalkeeper Nadar El Sayed, sparking delirious celebrations from Littbarski.
Updated on Friday, Dec 16, 2005 9:25 am EST
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