Pohang Steelers grab World Club Cup third spot

December 19, 2009

Pohang Steelers beat Mexican club Atlante 4-3 on penalties to clinch third place in the Club World Cup here on Saturday.

The Koreans went ahead in the 42nd minute through a Denilson strike – his fourth in the tournament.

However, the equaliser for the CONCACAF champions came within a minute of the restart when Rafael Marquez scored on a Gabriel Pereyra cross.

Asian Champions League winners Steelers were the more aggressive throughout and had several chances to finish the match in regulation time.

Denilson could have scored much earlier, but his brilliant solo effort from his own half in the 22nd minute was stopped by Atlante goalkeeper Federico Vilar.

A minute after Denilson’s goal, Choi Hyo-Jin almost added a second but even as he beat Vilar, his push was cleared by Martinez.

For Atlante, Pereyra’s header in the dying minutes came back off the post.

In the shoot-out, Marquez failed to convert for the Mexicans as did Horacio Peralta.

For the Koreans, Park Hee Chul missed but the team took victory when Kim Hyun-gil scored.

A delighted Steelers coach Sergio Farias said: “To finish third at a world finals is a great result for this young squad.

“I’m pleased with our performance. Coming here was a great experience and I hope we can qualify for next year’s tournament.”

Atlante coach Jose Cruz said: “We’re sad to have lost. Pohang played well, although I think we played a little better and deserved to win. We had a lot of chances in the second half but just couldn’t put them away. We’re going home with our heads held high.”

Later Saturday, Barcelona tackle Estudiantes in the final.

ABU DHABI (AFP)

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