TOYOTA, Japan — Brazilian giants Corinthians overcame Egypt's Al-Ahly 1-0 in the last four of the Club World Cup here Wednesday to set up a likely final against European champion Chelsea. A solitary goal from center-forward Paolo Guerrero was enough to see the Copa Libertadores winners progress, but it was nowhere near a convincing performance. Much had been expected from the South American champions, including Chelsea transfer target Paulinho, and the Brazilians dominated possession in the first half with Al-Ahly happy to let their opponents knock the ball around. However, they were unable to turn possession into chances and goal-scoring opportunities were few and far between during the opening period. Ramy Rabia missed a golden opportunity to put Al-Ahly in front, heading wide from an unmarked position as the Corinthians' defense stepped forward and failed to catch him offside. The Sao Paulo club breathed a sigh of relief and regrouped and on the half-hour mark it struck. Douglas floated an inch-perfect cross into the box that Guerrero headed across goal into the bottom corner, giving goalkeeper Ekramy no chance and sending the upwards of 20,000 Corinthians fans into raptures. In the second half, it was all Al Ahly as the Egyptians surged forward, desperately looking for an equalizer. Midfielder Ahmed Fathi wasted the best chance for the seven-time African champion with a low shot into the side netting as the Corinthians defense started to look increasingly uncomfortable. “I am frustrated that we lost. The players performed very well and I was hoping we could win,” Al-Ahly coach Hossam El-Badry said. Corinthians boss Tite said he was “extremely satisfied” with his side's first half performance, adding that he felt they deserved to win overall. The South American champions will probably face Chelsea in Sunday's final in Yokohama, though the English Premier League club first need to dispose of Mexican side Monterrey in the other semifinal Thursday. In Wednesday's game to determine fifth place, Hisato Sato scored two second-half goals as Hiroshima beat Asian champion Ulsan Hyundai 3-2. Sato gave Hiroshima a 2-1 lead in the 56th minute when he deflected a cross from Satoru Yamagishi, and widened the advantage 18 minutes from time with a left-foot shot from close range. Ulsan defender Lee Yong scored a consolation goal from a free kick deep in stoppage time. South Korean side Ulsan took a 1-0 lead in the 17th on an own goal by Hiroshima defender Hiroki Mizumoto, who redirected a headed ball past goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa. Hiroshima equalized in the 35th when Satoru Yamagishi calmly tapped in a rebound from a save by Ulsan goalkeeper Kim Young-kwang. — Agencies
