Seongnam seeking miracle against Inter
Reuters - Tuesday 14 December 2010, 09:27
ABU DHABI - South Korea's Seongnam Ilhwa
are hoping for a miracle against Inter Milan in Wednesday's
Club World Cup semi-final at Zayed Sports City.
"Tomorrow our chances are 30 to 40 percent, Inter 60 to 70,
but a miracle comes from one percent so that's a lot compared
to 30 or 30," the Asian champions' coach Shin Tae-yong told a
news conference on Tuesday.
Shin's opposite number Rafael Benitez exuded a calm at odds
with reports before Inter left Italy for the United Arab
Emirates that his job hinged on his team winning the
tournament.
"I'm tranquil, content and have confidence," said Benitez,
under fire after mixed results in his first season in charge of
the European champions.
"The good spirit has always been there in the group, even
in the most difficult times."
Club president Massimo Moratti suggested last week that
Benitez's job depended on Inter's results in the tournament
although he has since toned down his stance.
Striker Diego Milito, who has been injured and failed to
find the form that brought him Inter's treble-winning goals
last season, echoed Benitez's sentiments when he said: "I'm
fine, raring to go.
"I'll do whatever I can so we win. If I get to score so
much the better but the main thing is to win," added the
Argentine, whose goals clinched the Serie A title, Copa Italia
and Champions League at the end of last season for the team
then coached by Jose Mourinho.
TWO-ON-ONE
Benitez said Seongnam were a well organised team who work
well off the ball and are good with it when in possession.
Shin said his team could not compete with Inter's talented
players on an individual basis so team work was paramount.
"We are at a disadvantage one-on-one. The only way we can
compete is united with at least two players covering (the likes
of Samuel) Eto'o, Milito or (Wesley) Sneijder," he said.
"I can't see the weaknesses in Inter but there is no such
thing as a team without problem areas so we are trying to
identify them."
Impressive central midfielder Cheon Kwang-jin was injured
near the end of the first half of Seongnam's 4-1 win over hosts
al-Wahda in their quarter-final but Shin hopes he will recover
for the match.
Seongnam could become the first team from outside Europe or
South America to reach the final, provided they are not pipped
to it by Africa's TP Mazembe in Tuesday night's semi-final
against Internacional of Brazil.