Mahmoud el-Khatib is an icon for Ahly fans Al-Ahly vice-chairman Mahmoud el-Khatib has praised the team\'s brave efforts during this year\'s FIFA Club World Cup in Japan. Hossam el-Badry\'s team beat Japan\'s Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2-1 in the quarter-final, but were eliminated at the semi-final stage after a 1-0 defeat to Brazilian champions Corinthians. They can claim third place with victory in Sunday\'s play-off match against Mexico\'s Monterrey FC.
Club icon el-Khatib believes that mere qualification for the Club World Cup speaks volumes for the players, coming from a country where the domestic league has been postponed.
He told the club\'s official website: \"The fans and the board of directors should be proud of the team. Qualifying for the World Cup was an achievement in itself, given the hard circumstances we are enduring, including domestic football stoppage.\"
Ahly players were quick to adjust to the Far East timezone and gave a good account of themselves, according to el-Khatib. \"Ahly players earned the world\'s respect, regardless of the results,\" he added.
It was the Cairo team\'s fourth appearance at the Club World Cup, and coach el-Badry described it as the toughest.