Inter beat Sao Paulo to reach Libertadores final
Reuters - Friday 06 August 2010, 04:18
RIO DE JANEIRO - Internacional remained on
course for a second Libertadores Cup success in five seasons
when they overcame a late sending off to edge out fellow
Brazilians Sao Paulo on the away goals rule in their semi-final
on Thursday.
Inter, winners in 2006 when they beat three-times South
American champions Sao Paulo in the final, lost 2-1 at the
Morumbi in Brazil's biggest city but went through having won
the first leg 1-0 in Porto Alegre last week.
They meet Guadalajara's in the two-leg final on August 11 and
18 after the Mexican side beat Universidad de Chile 3-1 on
aggregate earlier in the week. Inter will host the second leg.
"We're satisfied to be in the Libertadores final, obviously
very satisfied, but I feel a bit flat after this defeat. I
think Internacional did not deserve to lose today," said coach
Celso Roth, who took charge after Uruguayan Jorge Fossati was
sacked despite having steered them into the semi-finals.
Inter had midfielder Tinga sent off 10 minutes from time
for a second bookable offence but Sao Paulo failed to score a
third goal despite enjoying the lion's share of possession.
Alex Silva headed Sao Paulo into a 1-0 half-time lead after
a blunder by keeper Renan, who dropped an easy high ball.
Striker Alecsandro flicked in playmaker Andres
d'Alessandro's free-kick in the 51st minute to equalise but
Ricardo Oliveira restored the home side's lead less than two
minutes later when he beat the offside trap and shot from the
right.
Inter have already guaranteed a Club World Cup appearance
in Abu Dhabi in December even if they were to lose the final
since Mexican teams, from the CONCACAF region, are guests in
the South American Confederation's (CSF) flagship event.
In 2006, Inter were crowned world club champions when they
beat Barcelona, winners last year, in the final in Japan.
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