(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Midfielder Leandro Benitez scored twice as Estudiantes of Argentina reached the Club World Cup final with a 2-1 win over eight-man Pohang Steelers of South Korea yesterday.
Steelers had three players sent-off, including goalkeeper Shin Hwa-yong, in the second half, with goalscorer Denilson taking over in goal.
Benitez put Estudiantes ahead when he slipped the offside trap to get behind the unaware Hwang Jae-won at a free kick and steered the ball gently with his head inside the near post.
He increased Estudiantes' lead eight minutes into the second half before Brazilian striker Denilson pulled one back when the Korean side were down to 10 men after their captain Hwang was sent off.
Midfielder Kim Jae-sung and keeper Shin were then sent off in the space of six minutes, Shin departing with 12 minutes remaining.
In Saturday's final, South American champions Estudiantes will meet the winners of today's semi-final between title favourites Barcelona and Atlante of Mexico.
Meanwhile, Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho has admitted he verbally abused a journalist after Sunday's 1-1 draw with Atalanta but denied that there was physical contact.
League officials and Inter president Massimo Moratti are probing the incident outside the team bus after Italy's sports journalists' union complained.
"It's true I insulted one of your colleagues with a word I cannot repeat that was offensive. But it is not true that there was aggressive intent or physical contact," Mourinho told a news conference yesterday.
Mourinho, who has lamented the grilling he gets from Italian media so much that reports have speculated he could quit in May, said he snapped because the journalist had been standing by the team bus for months despite his protests.
"I will not make a public apology because the situation was not public but private," added the Portuguese, whose Serie A leaders host Livorno in the Italian Cup last 16 today.
"In front of him, like men, I will be able to talk with him and end this story. Maybe with a bit of humour -- I expect a Christmas present from him."
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