Corinthians advance to final at CWC
Peruvian striker Paolo Guerrero scored in the first half and Brazilian team Corinthians beat Egypt's Al-Ahly 1-0 on Wednesday to advance to the final of the Club World Cup.
Midfielder Douglas sent a perfect cross into the box and Guerrero rose up to make an angled header past the outstretched arms of Al-Ahly goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy in the 30th minute.
The Copa Libertadores winners will face the either Champions League winners Chelsea or CONCACAF champions Monterrey of Mexico in the final on December 16 at Yokohama Stadium. The second semifinal is Thursday.
Corinthians won this tournament in 2000, but a team from South American hasn't won since Brazil's Internacional upset Barcelona 1-0 in the 2006 final.
The Brazilian team dominated the first half at Toyota Stadium, but Al-Alhy came out with more purpose after the break. Substitute Mohamed Aboutrika came close to an equalizer in the 70th minute with a long-range attempt that was just wide of the target and Walid Soliman hit a ball over the crossbar with 5 minutes left.
A large contingent of Corinthian fans that traveled from Brazil made sure the South American champions were the crowd favourite.
Al-Ahly beat Japan's Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2-1 in the quarterfinals and was appearing in its fourth Club World Cup.
In Wednesday's game to determine fifth place, Hisato Sato scored two second-half goals as Hiroshima beat Asian champion Ulsan Hyundai 3-2.
