By Alastair Himmer
TOKYO, Dec 11 - Mexico's America scraped a 1-0
victory over South Korea's Chonbuk Motors on Monday to set up a
dream semi-final with Barcelona at the Club World Cup.
Central defender Ricardo Rojas scrambled the winner from
close range in the 79th minute after CONCACAF champions America
had survived several escapes.
The 14-times Mexican champions will face hot favourites
European champions Barcelona in the tournament's second
semi-final in Yokohama on Thursday.
African champions Al Ahli beat New Zealand's Auckland City
2-0 on Sunday to earn a crack at Internacional on Wednesday.
The final takes place in Yokohama on Dec. 17.
AMERICA CLOSE
America came closest in a moribund first half when Chonbuk
goalkeeper Kwoun Sun-tae raced from his line in the eighth
minute only to present the ball straight to Argentine Claudio
Lopez.
The former Valencia and Lazio striker snatched at the
unexpected chance, however, hooking just wide from 25 metres as
a prostrate Kwoun watched on helplessly.
Substitute Botti almost fired Asian champions Chonbuk in
front in the 62nd minute but America goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa
plunged to his left to make a superb reflex save.
Fellow Brazilian Zecarlo then forced Ochoa into another
decent block eight minutes later following a powerful run down
the left.
But America snatched victory against the run of play when
Salvador Cabanas's low cross was bundled over the line by
Chilean Rojas as Kwoun struggled in vain to claw the ball out.
Seeded teams Barcelona and Brazil's Internacional are
scheduled to meet in the final of the competition involving the
world's six continental champions.
Brazil's Sao Paulo edged out Liverpool 1-0 in last year's
final to win the first edition of the revamped FIFA tournament.