Club World Cup Opening Results: Al Jazira Beat Tahiti Amateur Club AS Pirae 4-1
JAKARTA - Hosts Al Jazira beat AS Pirae, an amateur team from Tahiti, 4-1 in the opening match of the 2021 Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Thursday.
Al Jazira, the UAE Pro League champions, led 3-0 at half-time in the match at the Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium with goals from Zayed Al Ameri, Ahmed Al Hashmi, and Milos Kosanovic.
Pirae pulled one back early in the second half when Mohammed Rabii cut in a cross but the ball went into his own net.
But Al Jazira's Abdoulay Diaby scored an additional goal for the home side in the 63rd minute. The score 4-1 lasted until the end of the game.
Al Jazira will next face Asian Champions League winners Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia, with the winner of that match advancing to face Chelsea in the semi-finals of the seven-club tournament.
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Pirae was nominated to represent the Oceania region after Auckland City withdrew for the second year in a row due to New Zealand's strict COVID-19 measures.
Meanwhile Egyptian giants Al Ahly will face CONCACAF Champions League winners Monterrey of Mexico in the second round on Saturday to earn the right to play Copa Libertadores champions Palmeiras of Brazil in another top-four clash.