Wednesday evening’s action saw the four European sides square off against each other at the Dubai World Trade Centre, with the remaining quartet of regional, representative teams doing likewise to determine who made it through to the last four. Real’s 3-2 loss to Ajax, combined with Egypt Stars’ emphatic 15-0 rout of UAE Stars, ensured all three Group A teams finished on six points apiece.  However, the superior goal difference of Egypt Stars meant they topped the table ahead of second-placed Ajax, with Los Blancos left counting the cost of not defeating UAE Stars by a more commanding margin in their opening outing.

A mere point would have sufficed for Real, but their night began badly as an Olaf Lindenberg penalty saw French World Cup winner Christian Karembeu and Co fall behind early on. Real then rallied to lead 2-1, only for Ajax to regroup and responded with efforts from Kiki Musampa and Dennis Gerritsen to seal a narrow victory.

Meanwhile, in Group B, Real’s ‘El Clasico’ adversaries Barcelona safely made it through to the knockout phase, in spite of a 5-3 defeat to Roma. Brazilian World Cup winner Aldair and club stalwart Damiano Tommasi hit the target for the Italian outfit, while Santiago ‘Santi’ Ezquerro kept up his impressive scoring form for Barca. The final match was a dead-rubber clash between Morocco Stars and Nile Stars, which the former won 8-6.

alex@khaleejtimes.com

Results


Group A

Real Madrid 12-3 UAE Stars, Ajax 3-4 Egypt Stars, Real Madrid 6-5 Egypt Stars, Ajax 18-4 UAE Stars, Real Madrid 2-3 Ajax, Egypt Stars 15-0 UAE Stars.

Group B

Barcelona 5-2 Morocco Stars, AS Roma 5-2 Nile Stars, Barcelona 8-2 Nile Stars, AS Roma 7-2 Morocco Stars, Barcelona 3-5 AS Roma, Morocco Stars 8-6 Nile Stars.


Final standings


Group A

1). Egypt Stars

2). Ajax Amsterdam

3). Real Madrid

4). UAE Stars

Group B

1). AS Roma

2). Barcelona

3). Morocco Stars

4). Nile Stars