Seongnam set up Inter Milan semi-final
Reuters - Saturday 11 December 2010, 20:09
ABU DHABI - Seongnam of South Korea
thrashed hosts al-Wahda 4-1 at the Club World Cup on Saturday to
set up a semi-final with European champions Inter Milan.
The Asian champions, who won with goals by Mauricio Molina,
Sasa Ognenovski, Choi Sung-kuk and Cho Dong-geon, will meet the
Italians at the same Zayed Sports City stadium on Wednesday.
Seongnam coach Shin Tae-yong said reports that Inter coach
Rafael Benitez's job hinged on winning the tournament was a sign
there was trouble in the opposition camp.
"I'm sure there is a weakness because of the conflicts at
home," Shin told the post-match news conference.
"But Inter are the top team in the world. It won't be an
easy game but our players are here to do their very best. I'm
sure they will give a great performance against Inter."
Colombian midfielder Molina gave Seongnam an early lead
against al-Wahda with a left-foot volley from the edge of the
area after a poor clearance by defender Hamdan al Kamali.
Brazilian striker Fernando Baiano equalised with his second
goal of the tournament in the 27th minute when he headed the
ball home from right-back Eisa Ahmed's cross.
However, the South Koreans were in front again within three
minutes when al-Wahda defended poorly at Molina's outswinging
corner from the left and Seongnam's Australian captain
Ognenovski scored with a free header.
Choi made the win safe in the 71st with a shot from the
right that gave goalkeeper Adel al-Hosani no chance at the end
of a move started by Molina.
Fellow forward Cho headed their fourth off Molina's curling
free-kick nine minutes from time.
Shin said he considered striker Samuel Eto'o as Inter's
dangerman but his team would try to make the most of their
unique chance against the Champions League winners.
"There might never be another opportunity like this so we
will make the most of it," he said.
"There is a Korean proverb that says 'better than dead'. We
will challenge ourselves and show them we can be in same game as
them."