Urawa better Sepahan

Urawa Reds forward Yuichi Nagai (R) slots home his side's first goal during their Club World Cup Japan 2007 match against Sepahan in Toyota city on Monday.Photo: AFP

Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds repeated their excellent performance at the continental final by beating Iran's Sepahan 3-1 on Monday to set up a match against AC Milan in the Club World Cup semi-finals.
The opening goal came in the 32nd minute when midfielder Takahito Soma produced a cross from the left for Yuichiro Nagai, who fired home from close range.
In the 54th minute, Brazilian striker Washington got the ball in the area, then passed Sepahan goalkeeper Mohammad Savari and fired in a right-footer from close to the goal line.
Roared on by a partisan home crowd, Urawa controlled the game from the beginning and threatened the Sepahan goal repeatedly.
Another Brazilian Nene's shot was saved by Savari, while Makoto Hasebe's shot went over the bar in the 29th minute.
The visitors found their passes often interrupted by Urawa, but they had a good chance in the 26th minute with Abdul Wahab Abu Al Hail sending a pass to Emad Mohammed on the right.
Kabir Bello slid to the goal line, but he failed reach the ball.
In the 31st minute, Jaba Muhiri received a nice pass in the area, but he was beaten in a one-on-one against Urawa keeper Ryota Tsuzuki.
Sepahan continued to struggle to create a clear chance in the second half, with captain Mohamad Seyed Salehi and Hadi Jafari hitting a couple of desperate shots, too long and too blunt.
The game was put well beyond doubt in the 70th minute when Sepahan defender Aghily's headed clearance off Nagai's header went into his own goal.
Sepahan got a consolation when substitute forward Mahmoud Karimi saw his blunt shot get past Tzusuki and rolled into the net in the 80th minute.
In the AFC Chamions League final Urawa beat Sepahan 3-1 on aggregate over two legs.
Urawa will play European champions AC Milan of Italy in the semi-final at the Yokohama stadium on Thursday.