Abu Dhabi: Dejan Stankovic, Javier Zanetti and Diego Milito scored to lead European champion Inter Milan over Asian champion Seongnam Ilhwa 3-0 on Wednesday night and into the final of the Club World Cup.
Inter will play African champion TP Mazembe in Saturday's final.
Dejan Stankovic jumped over a defender and slotted home in the third minute and Zanetti scored from point-blank range in the 32nd off a back-heel pass from Milito, who got the final goal in the 73rd after goalkeeper Jung Sung Ryong parried Samuel Eto'o's shot.
Nerazzurri coach Rafa Benitez has been under pressure with his team 13 points behind Serie A leader AC Milan.
"It's been a difficult time with a lot of players coming back from injuries," Benitez said. "I could see from the first minute everyone was concentrating, focused. From the beginning to the end, we were trying to win, trying to score and doing our job."
Milito, defender Cristian Chivu and goalkeeper Julio Cesar returned from injuries. Inter midfielder Wesley Sneidjer limped off in the opening minutes against the South Korean champion after a rough tackle. Benitez said he doubts Sneidjer will play on Saturday.
Benitez, the former Liverpool coach, is used to speculation about his job.
"After 25 years as a coach, eight trophies, five finals and two promotions, I know football can be like this," he said of the criticism. "I have confidence in myself, in my staff. The only thing I can do is keep working, don't read the press and hopefully I will enjoy the final."
Comments
0 comment