Neri Cardozo scored the only goal to lead South American champions Boca Juniors of Argentina to a 1-0 win over Tunisia's Etoile Sahel in their Club World Cup semi-final on Wednesday.
The goal came in the 37th minute when Rodrigo Palacio sent a cross from the left for Cardozo, who hit an angled shot from outside the area.
"I'm satisfied with the result. This is our first final in six months. I really want to take this chance," Boca coach Miguel Russo said. "I watched Etoile Sahel's game against Pachuca, so I wasn't surprised with their play today. We didn't win easily, as everyone had expected, because we couldn't break through and make spaces to attack."
PHOTO: AP
African champions Etoile Sahel suffered an early setback when they lost Muri Ola Ogunbiyi in the ninth minute as the midfielder received an eye injury in a tackle. He was replaced by Afouan Gharbi.
Boca camped in the Tunisians' half in the beginning, but their attacks only resulted in yellow cards for Fabian Vargas and Sebastian Battaglia.
Etoile Sahel -- who beat Central and North American champions Pachuca of Mexico in the quarter-final -- had a couple of chances in first half injury time, including a turned down penalty appeal after Amine Chermiti was brought down in the Boca penalty area.
At the beginning of the second half, Gabriel Paletta headed over from a corner, while Etoile Sahel's Saif Ghezal put a header over the Boca bar moments later.
The Argentines were reduced to 10 men in the 65th minute when Fabian Vargas was given a second yellow.
But it was Boca who still made the better chances, with Hugo Ibarra hitting wide and a sizzling Palacio shot being saved by Etoile Sahel goalkeeper Aymen Balbouli.
"We couldn't do well in the midfield. We tried to connect more passes, which was difficult since we were reduced [to 10 men]. But my players did what they had to do as usual," Russo said. "The next game is the final. Of course, AC Milan must beat [Urawa Reds]. We are going to adjust our play in midfield by exchanging more passes and playing with more rhythm."
Despite the defeat, Etoile Sahel's French coach Bertrand Marchand appeared satisfied with his team's performance.
"We fought against a big team. I'm sure Boca had difficulties against us. In the end, it was the difference between a big team and an inexperienced team," Marchand said.
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