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.
