African champions Al Ahly will face Asian champions Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia in the third/fourth place playoff at the FIFA Club World cup after both sides lost their respective semifinals.
Al Ahly lost 2-0 to Brazil’s Palmeiras at the Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi as the Copa Libertadores winners reached their first-ever FIFA Club World Cup final in what is just their second attempt.
The match was a repeat of last year’s third/fourth place playoff which Al Ahly won 3-2 on penalties following a goalless draw to claim bronze at the tournament.
Meanwhile, Al Hilal narrowly lost 1-0 to European champions Chelsea who scored the winner through Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku.
The third/fourth place playoff will take place on February 12 before the final, Chelsea will be aiming to erase memories of their defeat in the 2012 final to another Brazilian side Corinthians, in what is the only time since 2005 that a European team has failed to win the tournament.
(Story compiled with assistance from wire reports)
