The Seattle Sounders now know their opponents immediately after the finish of the initially round match among Al Ahly and Auckland City. Egyptian Premier League leaders Al Ahly beat Oceania three- and did so with relative ease as they outscored their opponents 21-three.
A defensive masterclass and elimination against a group numerous levels under them is no large surprise for Al Ahly, as they have conceded just five ambitions in 15 league games this season, and under no circumstances far more than one particular in a game. Auckland City place in a respectable work and kept factors somewhat even all through the initially half, but Hussein El Shahat’s purpose just prior to half-time swung factors in Al Ahly’s favor and there was no hunting back.
Al Ahli’s top rated scorer Mohamed Sherif doubled the lead in the 56th minute with his fourth purpose in the final 3 games, and substitute Percy Tau place the game away in the 86th minute. Tau’s purpose capped a polished run of play that saw some line-breaking passes and a clever back-heel that demonstrated the type of chemistry that comes from mid-season kind, one particular benefit Al Ahly will have more than the Sounders.
One more issue that could function in Al Ahly’s favor is the crowd. The atmosphere for the initially leg was very great, with a complete and lively crowd at the Grand Stade de Tanger cheering for the rest of the game. Although Sounders fans travel in massive numbers provided the distance, Al Ahly need to be considerably improved represented at the stadium on Saturday. That surely will not deter Seattle, although, as they take to the field as the initially MLS group to compete in the competitors.
The Sounders’ match against Al Ahli will kick off at 9am Pacific on Saturday, 30 minutes earlier than initially scheduled.