Sydney stun Ahly to take fifth place

Sydney FC produced an upset 2-1 victory over Egypt's Al Ahly yesterday to finish fifth at FIFA's Club World Championship.

Midfielder David Carney snatched the winner in the 66th minute at a virtually empty stadium in Tokyo to leave African champions Ahly with the wooden spoon.

The result defied logic as Sydney, a club only formed in February, embarrassed a side who celebrate their centenary year in 2007.

Al Ahly had their remarkable 55-match unbeaten run snapped with a 1-0 defeat by Asian champions Al Ittihad in the tournament curtain raiser last weekend.

Sydney lost by the same score to Costa Rica's Deportivo Saprissa in their first-round match.

A dreary match sprang to life in the 35th minute when former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke headed in a free-kick from Steve Corica to give Sydney the lead.

African champions Ahly struck back on the stroke of half-time, striker Emad Motab beating Sydney's offside trap to score with ease.

But Carney restored Sydney's advantage in the 66th minute with a sharp left-foot finish.