Inter ease into Club World Cup final

Dejan Stanković, Javier Zanetti and Diego Milito were on target as the European champions FC Internazionale Milano defeated Asian counterparts Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma FC to reach Saturday's FIFA Club World Cup final against TP Mazembe Englebert of DR Congo.

Despite losing Wesley Sneijder to a thigh injury inside 30 seconds, the Nerazzurri took the lead in the third minute against opponents from Korea Republic. Stanković was the scorer, beating Jung Sung-Ryong with a precise left-footed finish after neat build-up play involving Samuel Eto'o and Milito.

Inter dominated possession and deservedly doubled their advantage, and in some style, in the 32nd minute. Zanetti charged down the right and played a one-two with Milito which gave the club captain the opportunity to fire the ball under the advancing goalkeeper.

Rafael Benítez's side were not having it all their own way, however, and would have gone in at half-time only one goal to the good had Júlio César not made a smart stop to keep out Dženan Radončić's header. Cho Byung-Kuk then headed another set piece just wide with the Brazilian custodian beaten.

Stanković could have wrapped the game up but, with just Jung to beat, opted to pass to Eto'o, who was tackled by Ko Jae-Sung. Milito made no mistake in the 73rd minute, though, as he slotted the ball into the empty net after Jung could only parry Eto'o's shot from wide on the left.

Inter will return to Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi on Saturday evening (18.00CET) for their showdown against Mazembe, who yesterday became the first African team to reach the final by beating 2006 winners SC Internacional of Brazil 2-0.