Internacional are going to face Egypt's Al-Ahly in their FIFA Club World Cup debut in Tokyo on Wednesday, 13 December, at 8.20 (Brasília time). On Sunday, the CAF champions beat Auckland City of New Zealand 2-0 in Toyota. Angolan striker Flávio (51') and Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Aboutrika (73') scored the goals.

Al-Ahly supporters celebrate as Egyptians will face Internacional

A few hours earlier, Inter trained at the Nishigaoka Stadium in Tokyo. Coach Abel Braga conducted a 50-minute training match against the reserve team. Full-back Elder Granja was the only player not to take part due to muscular pain. Third goalkeeper Marcelo Boeck substituted for him. First-choice keeper Clemer, who had trained with the reserves on Saturday in order to get a tougher test, returned to the first team.

Abel let the match go on and interrupted it just a few times to give instructions to the players. Alexandre Pato scored for the first team and Luiz Adriano equalled for the reserves as the training match finished 1-1. Afterwards, Abel conducted some dead-ball training aimed at crosses into the box. Internacional trained with the following line-up, expected to be kept for the debut against Al-Ahly: Clemer; Ceará, Índio, Fabiano Eller and Martín Hidalgo; Edinho, Wellington Monteiro, Fernandão (see photograph) and Alex; Alexandre Pato and Iarley.

Once the training session was concluded, Abel proceeded to the hotel to watch Al-Ahly vs. Auckland City on television. Assistant coaches Leomir and Robertinho saw the match at the Toyota Stadium and will be drafting an in-depth report about the Egyptian opponents. On Monday, 11 December, Club América (Mexico) and Jeonbuk Motors (South Korea) meet up in Tokyo in the other first round match. The winner will play Barcelona on Thursday, 14 December, in Yokohama. Both Barcelona and Inter were seeded and enter the competition in the semi-finals.

Taking a walk

 Colorados walked around Tokyo shopping district (Allen Chahad/Terra)

The Colorados had some time to spare during the morning. The players walked around Akihabara, Tokyo's traditional electronics shopping district, before participating in the day's only training session. Players, coaching staff and management boarded FIFA's official bus and proceeded to the place, which is often visited by Brazilian footballers who play in Japan. Skipper Fernandão was one of the players most celebrated by the crowds during the walk.

Refereeing

FIFA has announced who will officiate at Inter's debut in the competition. Malaysian referee Subkhiddin Mohd Salleh will be assisted by Sri Lanka's Hamdi Al Kadri and UAE's Eisa Ghuloum.

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