By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
Pohang Steelers failed to reach the final of the FIFA Club World Cup after losing 2-1 to Estudiantes de La Plata of Argentina, Wednesday morning (KST).
Striker Denilson scored his competition-high third goal for the K-League side, but Pohang conceded two goals to midfielder Leandro Benitez at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Sergio Farias's side was down to eight men for the final 13 minutes, as three players, including goalie Shin Hwa-yong, were sent off late in the match.
The Copa Libertadores champion will meet either European winner FC Barcelona or Atlante FC, the North and Central American and Caribbean representative, in the ultimate match for its second title of the showpiece event, scheduled for Sunday morning, while Steelers will play in the third-place decider Saturday night.
The star-studded Catalan giants seek to clinch one missing title to complete their quadruple after winning the La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League titles last season.
"We're very pleased to have reached the final. If we meet Barcelona, then so be it ― we'll be ready for them. Credit to Pohang, they did well. The last 20 minutes of the first half was very even, and so was the start of the second half. But our second goal gave us the psychological advantage and Pohang became frustrated after that,'' Estudiantes coach Alejandro Sabella said.
"It was not our best performance but I think we deserved the victory. We'll be better next game."
It was a bitter defeat for Farias, who led his side to the league cup and the Asia Champions League titles this year. He said he was satisfied with his players, but not the referee.
"I'm proud of my players. We showed that we could match the South American champions, and we were extremely unlucky to lose,'' Farias said.
"The result does not reflect what we saw on the field, mostly because of the failures of the referee.''
Pohang, widely seen as the underdog by prognosticators, performed well against the Argentine squad, headed by veteran midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron.
By the midway point of the first half, Pohang had created several scoring chances.
However, the deadlock was broken in stoppage time as Benitez scored on a 25-yard free kick.
And the Argentine footballer doubled the lead eight minutes into the second half.
He latched on to an Enzo Perez cross from the right and fired it into the net.
Three minutes later, Steelers defender Hwang Jae-won was sent off after receiving his second yellow card, seriously damaging the Steelers hopes of a comeback.
But Denilson gave them hope when he cut the deficit to 2-1 with a goal in the 71st.
But Kim Jae-sung was sent off with his second yellow card and Shin was given a red card for his dangerous attempt to clear an Estudiantes attack in the 77th.
Denilson took over as goalkeeper.