Host side Al Wahda advanced to the quarterfinals of the Club World Cup by outclassing Hekari United of Papua New Guinea 3-0 in a playoff on Wednesday.
Al Wahda dominated the tournament opener as Hekari, the Oceania champion and first PNG team to qualify for a FIFA competition, never looked like scoring at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
Brazilian import Hugo opened the scoring in the 40th minute, and compatriot Fernando Baiaino doubled the lead moments before halftime. Abdulraheem Jumaa headed in the last goal in the 71st.
"The first impression wasn't a good one because we were nervous at the start," Al Wahda coach Josef Hickersberger said. "They created a lot of problems with long balls and won a lot of balls. We started to play their way and lost our confidence a bit. Fortunately, we have experienced players ... so we were able to get a very good result."
Al Wahda will meet Asian Champions League winner Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma in a quarterfinal on Saturday.
With no Arab clubs winning the Asian or African Champions Leagues, Al Wahda, the UAE champion, hold the hopes of the Arab world.
The other quarterfinal on Friday features African Champions League winner TP Mazembe of Congo against CONCACAF Champions League winner Pachuca of Mexico.
Inter Milan, the European Champions League titleholder, and Internacional, the Copa Libertadores champ from Brazil, received byes into the semifinals.
The final is on Dec. 18.
