Two-goal Cesar Delgado shone as the CONCACAF champions beat their Asian counterpart while Al-Ahly won 2-1 against the host side on a snowy evening.

ULSAN HYUNDAI (KOR) 1-3 CF MONTERREY (MEX) [Dec 9]
SANFRECCHE HIROSHIMA (JPN) 1-2 AL-AHLY SC (EGY) [Dec 9]

Monterrey started the game better and took the lead after just nine minutes. Delgado crossed the ball into the area and Aldo de Nigris deftly squared the ball across goal into the path of Jesus Corona, who slid it calmly into the net. Ulsan struggled to create a chance and on 77 minutes, the Mexican side doubled their lead with a crisp passing movement in front of the goal capped by Delgado’s finish. The Argentina striker scored again seven minutes later with a solo effort before Lee Keunho claimed a consolation goal for the Asian champions.

With goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa out injured just eight minutes into the game, Al-Ahly took advantage of the host side’s defensive uncertainty when Ahmed Fathi cut the ball back from the by-line for Elsayed Hamdy to finish in the 15th minute. Despite this early setback, Hisato Sato equalised for Hiroshima from a corner while Hossam Ghali was out on a stretcher. After the break, substitute Mohamed Aboutrika’s clinical finish restored the lead for the Egyptian side. The Japanese champions repeatedly found space behind Al-Ahly’s defence and Sato was sent through one-on-one ten minutes from time, but Sherif Ekramy saved his effort and the African champions hung onto their slim lead until the final whistle.