PREVIEW-Soccer-Japan's Urawa Reds prepare for second Korean test

Reuters - J-League leaders Urawa Reds bid to overcome another South Korean team in the Asian Champions League when they take on Seongnam Ilhwa in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

The Reds defeated last year's winners Chonbuk Motors 4-1 on aggregate in the quarter-finals and start as favourites against K-League leaders Seongnam.

Urawa warmed up for the first-leg clash at Seongnam Trancheon Sports Complex with a 1-0 victory over Albirex Niigata to maintain their four-point lead over Gamba Osaka in the J-League, Brazilian Robson Ponte scoring the winner three minutes from time.

Seongnam hope striker Mota will be fit after he was taken off on a stretcher during their 1-1 draw against Incheon United, with Kim Sang-sik salvaging a point for the leaders with a stoppage-time penalty.

In the other semi-final, Al Wahda, of the United Arab Emirates, travel to meet Iran's Sepahan in the first leg.

Al Wahda knocked out Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal in the quarter-finals on away goals after the teams finished 1-1 on aggregate.

The UAE side have the advantage of having never left the Middle East during the preliminary rounds and the quarter-final while Sepahan have only had to go out of the region once.

The Iranians were allowed to postpone their domestic league match against Zob Ahan at the weekend so they could prepare for the Champions League tie, in which they are favourites to progress.

Sepahan, who defeated Japan's Kawasaki Frontale 5-4 on penalties in the quarter-finals, are third in the Iran Pro League behind leaders Persepolis and Saba.

The semi-final second leg matches are on Oct. 24 and the two legs of the final are scheduled for Nov. 7 and 14.