Italian and European champion Inter Milan have reached into the final of FIFA club world cup by defeating Asian champion Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma of Korea on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi with a convincing 3-0 victory. Inter will meet surprise packages TP Mazembe of DR Congo on Saturday after the African champions upset Internacional of Brazil 2-0 to become the first team from outside Europe or South America to reach the final.Dutch midfielder Sneijder pulled a thigh muscle when tackled in the second minute and was replaced by Thiago Motta in the fourth.
Serbian striker Dejan Stankovic scored the first goal that settled Inter into a counter-attacking game. Captain Javier Zanetti scored a fine second goal in the 32nd minute, racing into the box and taking a return back-heeled pass from Milito to fire home. Argentine striker Diego Milito displayed good form after a five-week absence from the team due to an injury scored the third goal in the 72nd minute.
Seongnam's coach Shin Tae-young congratulated Inter-Milan for their excellent performance and admitted that they had always been a level ahead of them.Also he admitted that the defense should have been better.
Coach Rafael Benitez, though, is under immense pressure to succeed with his team 13 points behind Serie A- leading AC Milan. Even though club supremo Massimo Moratti has persistently insisted that he has no plans to axe the Spaniard, the former Valencia and Liverpool manager must try to appease the Nerazzurri fans and win the competition.
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."
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