Urawa Red Diamonds too strong for Sepahan at Club World Cup

DPA - Urawa Red Diamonds comfortably beat Iranian side Sepahan 3-1 at the Club World Cup in Japan Monday to set up a semi- final clash against AC Milan. Yuichiro Nagai opened the scoring for the J League side after 32 minutes in the Toyota Stadium in Toyota, calmly converting Takahito Soma's cross from close range.

Washington doubled the Japanese side's lead from a narrow angle on 54 minutes before an own goal by Sepahan's Hadi Aghily, his second of the tournament, made it 3-0 with 20 minutes remaining.

Mahmoud Karimi netted a consolation effort for Sepahan on 80 minutes.

The victory sets up a clash with European champions Milan Wednesday in Yokohama for a place in Sunday's final.

Etoile Sportive du Sahel of Tunisia meet Argentinian side Boca Juniors, champions of South America, Thursday in the other semi- final.

Formerly known as the Intercontinental Cup played between the European Cup winners and the South American Copa Libertadores champions, the tournament became truly global in 2005 when champions from the Africa, Asia, Oceania, North and Central America were added, as well as one team from hosts Japan. .