广州恒大准备好面对埃及阿赫利

After becoming the first Chinese side to win the Asian Champions League, Guangzhou Evergrande will now test their mettle against the rest of the continental champions at the FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco.

The debutants will meet African champions Al Ahly in their opening match on Saturday. Our Peter Koveos sets the stage.

Guangzhou Evergrande is the first Chinese club competing at the Club World Cup, a triumphant achievement.

The Asian Champions though are coming in on a bit of a down note, as they fell to Guizhou Renhe in the domestic cup final last weekend.

But the squad is expected to bounce back at this event.

"We know Bayern and Mineiro are the favourites, but we will try and do well in this competition. This is our first time at the tournament, our first opportunity to participate. It is great to be here, we will try and perform well and see what happens," Guangzhou Evergrande striker Muriqui says.

Compared to debutants Evergrande, Al Ahly are old hands in this competition. As Eight-time CAF Champions League winners, Ahly have reached the semi-finals twice, beating Club America of Mexico to win third in 2006 and losing out on the bronze to another Mexican club, Monterrey in last year's competition.

And with all this experience, the team is confident of beating their Chinese opponents.

"We are fully prepared. Even though we know the first match will be difficult, we are confident in our chance to win it," Al Ahly coach Mohamed Youssef says.

So Guangzhou and Al Alhy face-off in one quarter-final, with the winner meeting Bayern Munich. While home favorites Raja Casablanca are pitted against Monterrey for the right to play South American champs Atletico Meineiro.