New Delhi: Goals from Iaquinta, Diego and Legrottaglie saw the Old Lady cruise past a Seongnam side who were never in the race in the Estadio Chapin in Jerez. Juve are through to the semi-final where they may face the Galacticos of Real Madrid.
First Half
Juventus started brightly knowing that a draw would take them through to a possible semi-final clash with Real Madrid. It was scrappy early on as Seongnam closed the spaces well. Diego made his debut after his summer move from Werder Bremen.
The first real chance fell to David Trezeguet. Vincenzo Iaquinta crossed in from the far side for the Frenchman who rose above the defence to head the ball towards goal. However, it was a weak effort and comfortable for Sung Jong Ryun. Minutes later it was Iaquinta who should have done better from close range. Mauro Camoranesi fed the Italian. He beat Hwan Kim for pace, but he failed to leave his mark as he fired wide with his left foot.
The Koreans showed their fitness compared to the Italian side. Molina fed Dong Won Han with a nice through pass, but Nicola Legrottaglie spared Jonathan Zebina blushes with a nice clearance. It was an open game as both teams attacked each other.
Iaquinta was once again at the centre of the action. Diego found Camoranesi with a delightful ball on the right. The Italian crossed in for Iaquinta but he failed to make contact with his head. Dong Won gave Gianluigi Buffon a scare moments later. Zebina who didn’t look confident, allowed his opponent to slip through, but the Italian goalkeeper was quick off his line to smother the danger.
Minutes later Zebina fouled Molina on the left and a free kick was awarded on the edge of the box. However, Molina’s effort was well cleared by Chiellini. The Chunma continued to attack and Cho should have given them the lead after 30 minutes, but he failed to connect to Kim's low cross from the right. Molina was the Korean side's dangerman, but his finishing was poor as he dragged his left-foot effort wide of Buffon's goal.
Down the other end Juve were awarded a free kick after Sasa fouled Iaquinta on the edge of the box. Diego stepped up to take it, but his curling effort deflected off the wall. At the back the Old Lady was well organised. Seongnam found it hard to breach Ciro Ferrara’s side and the didn’t create any chance worthy of mention.
Juventus finally took the lead following a comedy of errors from Jung in goal. Diego passed out wide to Camoranesi who crossed in with a first time effort. The Seongnam keeper came but never caught the ball and it deflected into the net via Iaquinta's head. It was a dreadful mistake from the Koreans as Jung lived his nightmare moment.
The Italian side were boosted by the goal and it showed as they continued to batter to Koreans' goal. Cristiano Zanetti should have done better when he was fed by Trezeguet. The Italian midfielder controlled well, but he blasted his right-foot effort over the crossbar.
Second Half
Juve got the second half underway and came close through Zebina. The defender made a good run down the right as he latched on to a pass from Diego, but he fizzed his shot wide of the mark. Felipe Melo came on for Zanetti as the Brazilian made his debut. The Brazilian showed his skills as he slowed the rhythm of the game down and linked up well with Diego. The number 28 played the ball out to Camoranesi on the right. He crossed well, but Iaquinta was late and Jung caught well.
Iaquinta continued to move well inside the box and he spotted Trezeguet's clever run in behind Ognenovski. However, the Frenchman incredibly missed from point-blank range as he fired high. It was easier to score than to miss.
Diego made it 2-0 to the Italians with an outstanding strike. He dribbled his way into the box before unleashing a powerful drive into the bottom right corner, leaving Jung with no chance. Juve were cruising by this stage. Sebastian Giovinco came on for Diego and he made an instant impact. 'La Formica Atomica' cut into the box following a short corner and he picked out Legrottaglie who headed home to seal the win.
The Korean side didn't give up though and Hack Yong Jang should have scored with his head, but the ball flew over the crossbar. The Bianconeri held on to make it through to the semi-final in style.
Teams
Juventus (4-3-1-2): Buffon (Chimenti); Zebina, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Salihamidzic; Camoranesi, Zanetti (Melo), Tiago; Diego (Giovino); Trezeguet, Iaquinta.
Seongnam (4-4-2): Sung Ryong Jung; Sung Hwan Kim, Ognenovski Byung Kuk Cho, Hack Yong Jang; Dong Won, Han, Ho Lee, Jung, Woo Kim, Ban; Dong Geong, Cho, Radonzic.
Goals: Iaquinta (J), Diego (J), Legrottaglie (J).
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