The Egyptian and African champions arrived at Japan in December 2005 with high expectations but surprisingly finished at bottom in the six-team tournament.

"Our problem last year was that we lost our form, for some reason we could not play like we had before arriving in Japan," Abou-Treika told FIFA official website on Thursday.

"This time, I think we are regaining some of our magical form and, once we have harmony among our players, the sky will be the limit."

Ahli made history as they became the first team to participate in the CWC for two years in a row when they beat Sfaxien in the African Champions League final, courtesy of Abou-Treika's last-gasp strike.

Although the Cairo club will miss some key players like Mohamed Barakat and Gilberto through injury, the Egypt international playmaker is confident the youngsters in Ahli squad will excel.

"Quite honestly, we could not compensate for the absence of those players, but this year we have a lot of talented young players like Ahmed Shedeed, and I think some other players have been doing quite well."

"Flavio, for example, became one of our most important players. So I do not think I can say that we are weaker, all I can say is that we are different," the 28-year-old added.

Ahli will open their CWC campaign against New Zealand's Auckland City on Sunday.