Al-Sadd book semi-final date with Barca
AFC Champions League winners Al-Sadd will face Spanish giants Barcelona in the Club World Cup semi-finals after securing a 2-1 win over Esperance in Japan's Toyota Stadium.
The Asian champions edged their African counterparts despite being second best for long spells, going two up against the run of play through Khalfan Al Khalfan and Abdulla Koni before Ousama Darragi reduced the arrears on the hour mark.
Esperance started well, Yannick Ndjeng twice drawing saves from Mohamed Saqr in the opening minutes. Youssef Msakni was also causing problems, coasting past his marker in a thrilling run that ended with the ball bobbling to Ndjeng, who this time struck the post.
The Qatari side had exerted little meaningful pressure but went ahead in the 34th minute when Moez Ben Cherifa fumbled Kader Keita's shot, allowing Khalfan to nod home the loose ball.
Esperance were handed a second setback four minutes into the second half when Lee Jung-Soo headed across the area for Koni to convert from inside the six-yard box.
The Tunisian side got the goal their enterprise deserved 11 minutes later,
though it needed a touch of fortune as Darragi's floated free-kick missed all of
its targets and instead found its way into the net.
That lifted Esperance's hopes but the closest they came were two efforts - by
Ndjeng and then Khaled Ayari - that were ruled out by offside flags.