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DOHA. — Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane remains proud of his side despite Monday’s FIFA Club World Cup semi-final 2-0 defeat by Bayern Munich.
A Robert Lewandowski brace fired the Bavarians into the final of the tournament in what was Mosimane’s first defeat while in charge of the Egyptians in 23 games.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns coach does not see the defeat as a major setback in what is his second shot at the tournament, having overseen the Brazilians’ campaign in Japan in 2016.
“Our reaction should have been better than what happened. Bayern Munich dominated the match significantly,” Mosimane told the media. “We knew that facing Bayern Munich was not easy at all, and we played well against a big and strong team.
“There was room to choose the best way to preserve the ball, take possession and exit the attack against Bayern Munich, but this is not bad,” he added. “We could have had a corner kick or a foul in our favour, we should have reacted better even at the start of the second half.
“Our pace was slow, but it is not bad and there is nothing wrong with that. No coach can lose and be happy. It is normal for me to feel sad.”
Al Ahly now prepare to meet Copa Libertadores champions Palmeiras in the fight for a bronze medal tomorrow.
The Egyptians have previously finished third in this tournament when they settled for bronze in 2006.
“We are now looking forward to achieving third place against Palmeiras,” Mosimane continued.
“We will work hard and fight to achieve that.
“My team was not afraid in front of Bayern Munich, who are the European champions, but at the same time we achieved a good level (of performance), especially in terms of defence.
“Bayern are number one in Europe. They didn’t allow us to have the ball for a long time.
“We rarely had the chance to play our game. Defensively, we were well organised. Now we are looking forward to the third-place match.”
With Al Ahly failing to reach the final, Africa’s wait for the Club World Cup title continues.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich face Tigres in the final tomorrow after the Mexican club saw off Brazilian giants Palmeiras in the other semi-final on Sunday.
“It was a very good match and we’re ready for the final,” Lewandowski told reporters.
He gave Bayern the lead with just 17 minutes gone at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, a host venue for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The Poland star then headed home a pinpoint Leroy Sane cross four minutes before the whistle to book Bayern’s place in the final.
Lewandowski, the Bundesliga’s top scorer, has now scored 29 goals in 27 club matches this season.
Bayern are bidding to become only the second team after Barcelona in 2009 to win all six domestic and international titles up for grabs in one season.
The German giants lifted the Bundesliga, German Cup, Champions League, German Super Cup and Uefa Super Cup trophies in 2020. — Goal.com.
Online Reporter