Thulani Serero's Al Jazira have been knocked out of the FIFA Club World Cup after suffering a 6-1 thrashing to Sudanese outfit Al-Hilal.
Result: Al-Hilal 6-1 Al Jazira
Date: 06 February 2022
Venue: Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium
While Al-Hilal gained free passage to the second round with a bye, Serero's Al Jazira had to see off Pirae in the first round, which they did comfortably with a 3-1 win.
Serero has been a mainstay for the UAE outfit since joining in 2019 and took up his customary position in the centre of the park from the off.
The former Ajax Cape Town star's side started on the front foot and in the second minute Abdullah Ramadan's pass released Mali international Abdoulay Diaby, who laid it off to Joao Victor, but he was thwarted bravely by visiting goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Mayouf.
The home side deservedly took the lead in the 14th minute. After a quick counter-attack, M'Hammed Rabii was released down the right and his pinpoint delivery was tapped in from close range by Diaby.
The Saudi outfit equalised ten minutes before half-time against the run of play through Nigeria and former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo when he headed in a deflected cross from Mohamed Kanno.
The turnaround was complete four minutes later when Salem Al Dawsari's flicked pass was swept home by former West Bromwich Albion attacking midfielder Matheus Pereira.
Kanno, with a header, and Al Dawsari, with a side-footed close range finish added goals to their assists in the 57th and 77th minutes respectively before Former FC Porto striker Moussa Marega and Andre Carrillo added even more salt to the wounds of the hosts with goals in the final few minutes to send Serero's side packing.
Al-Hilal have now taken a step further and will face Premier League giants Chelsea in the semi-finals, while Al Ahly meet Palmeiras in the other semi-final.
