Monterrey set up Liverpool semi-final

Qatar’s Al Sadd packed plenty of fire power in the last few minutes of the match but were unlucky to go down fighting 3-2 to CF Monterrey in the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-finals.

Yesterday, the Mexican side won the five-goal thriller at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium to make it to the semi-final and will take on Liverpool for a place in the final.

The winners went into the half time break leading 2-0.

Leonel Vangioni opened the scoring for CF Monterrey in the 23rd minute and Rogello Funes added a second one at the stroke of half time.

In the second half, Baghad Bounedjah gave a glimmer of hope for the home side with a goal in the 66th minute while Carlos Rodriguez made it 3-1 in the 77th minute.

Ten minutes later Abdelkarrim Hassan, scored his second goal of the tournament to offer a lifeline to his side.

Al Sadd started off on an impressive note seeing more of the ball for most of the first half enjoying 60 percent ball possession and forced five flag kicks compared to the two their rivals got.

The home side came up with varied combinations and with Akram Afif proving a live wire in most of the attacks with his quick body feints and speedy runs while keeping his markers guessing by switching flanks. On the other hand, Algerian striker Bounedjah provided a perfect foil with his deft touches splitting open the heart of the Monterrey defence a couple of times.

Midfielder Hassan Al Haydos, who was held by coach Xavi Hernandez in the last match and came as a substitute, started proceeding yesterday controlled the pace of the match along with captain Gabi for the Wolves.

For the first  20 minutes, Al Sadd dictated terms coming up with varied combinations and with both wing backs Pedro Minguel and Hassan going the attacking flock, Monterrey had a lot to handle in the initial period of play.

Al Sadd made early inroads in rival defense in the 11th minute with a combined move uninitiated by Afif and Haydos, ending with the last name shooting wide.

Seven minutes later on, Afif was again in the thick of action as his left footer ended into the waiting hands of keeper Marcelo Barovera.

Al Sadd maintained the attacking tempo and a minute later Haydos’ left footer had all the power behind it but lacked direction.

At the other end, the Mexican side took time to settle down and preferred to get back at the Al Sadd defence through break back moves.

Much against the run of play, the Mexicans struck on the goal front through a superb goal which had no answer from Al Sadd keeper Saad Al Sheeb.

Vangioni, after receiving a square pass from Dorlan Pabon punished the Al Sadd defense which a thunderbolt. Receiving the ball from Pabon, Vangioni allowed it roll it to his favourite left foot and then essayed a 30 yard drive which hit the top of the goal post and rolled into the nets much to the delight of the large and noisy Mexican fans.

Down by a goal, Al Sadd steeped up the pace and during this period Afif and Bounedjah came close to scoring on one occasion apiece but could not beat the last line of Mexican defence.

However, at the stroke of half time, Al Sadd completed a major defensive blunder giving the rivals a chance to increase the lead.

Central defender Boualem Khoukhi, who at times moved up to join the attacking flock, relayed a back pass from the right flank which Funes intercepted with his speedy run and beat and advancing Sheeb with a aplomb.

Monterrey nearly increased the lead six minutes into the second half but captain Pabon was denied in nick of time by the Al Sadd keeper.

Al Sadd thereafter took things in their own hands and dictated terms but a few shots flew close to the rival goal with Hassan and Bounedjah giving a few anxious moments for the rival defence.

Al Sadd finally struck in the 66th minute through Bounedjah, the Algerian striker beat his marker Nicolas Sanchez to lunge forward and head home Haydos header past a dazed Barovero in the Monterry goal.

Al Sadd kept on the attacking but could not make much inroads while the Mexicans, who had in their ranks four Argentinean and two Colombians, went contend in holding on to the lead and preferring to rely on the counter attacks.

Monterrey consolidated the lead in the 77th minute with Rodriguez planted his left footer from the inside the box far and way beyond the reach of the Sheeb to make it 3-1.

When all seemed lost, Al Sadd scored the second goal of the match with two minutes left for the final whistle.

Hassan, who scored a indirect free kick thunderbolt in the last match, unleashed yet another rasping left footer after being set up by Boundejah which beat the rival keeper hands down.

Thereafter, Monterrey defence survived some anxious moments of three minutes of injury time to make it to the semi-finals where English giants Liverpool await them.