A NEW WORLD RECORD!

Egypt's Ahly break world record
By Amr Shaheen BBC Sport, Cairo.

Ahly have not been beaten since June 2004.

African champions Ahly have the best unbeaten run in world club football after their 3-1 league win over Arab Contractors on Sunday. A hat-trick by Mohamed Abu Treka took the Egyptian club to a 55-game record in all competitions, surpassing the 54-game achievements of Brazilian side Santos and Uruguayan club Penarol. Santos achieved their record between November 1960 and October 1963, while Penarol made their mark between 1965 and 1968. Sunday's win also keeps Ahly's perfect winning record in the ten matches of the ongoing Egyptian season.

Ahly, who will be representing Africa at December's World Club Championship, have not been defeated since June 2004, when they were beaten by Arab Contractors in an Egyptian Cup tie.
But the biggest challenge to Ahly's record will be during next month's Fifa World Club Championship in Japan. The Egyptians take on Asian champions Al Ittihad in their opening game. Victory in that 11 December game would set them up for a tough game against South American champions Sao Paolo.