Saudi Arabian newspapers praised Ittihad Jeddah on Monday after they beat Egyptian powerhouse Ahli 1-0 in the FIFA Club World Championship.

Akaz newspaper made a scathing attack on Ahli stating that the African Champion's 55 matches unbeaten run lasted that long time because they did not face Ittihad.

Ahli waged a mental war against Ittihad Jeddah through the Egyptian media but they forgot that the Asian Champions can not be affected by this media war, Akaz added.

The newspaper accused Ahli vice-president Mahmoud Al-Khatib, who used words of insult against Ittihad as the newspaper reported, of being arrogant.

"My team proved that they are superior to all the Egyptian teams, we signed the Brazilian trio for the semi final and the final because we are set to face big teams as Sao Paulo and Liverpool," Ittihad president Mansour Al-Balwi was quoted as saying by Akaz.

"I was confident of beating Ahli even without the Brazilian trio because Simply Ittihad are better!" he added.

Ittihad will face Brazil's Sao Paulo on Wednesday in the FIFA Club World Championship semi final.