Soccer  > General Soccer  > Pachuca thwarted by Mazembe at Club Worlds
December 10, 2010, 03:09 PM
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Pachuca hit the post twice but fell to two-time reigning African champion TP Mazembe 1-0 Friday to end the Mexican side's hopes of a Club World Cup title.

Pachuca, making its third appearance the Club World Cup in four years, played the final nine minutes with an extra man, but suffered its fourth loss in five games.

Mabenze took the lead midway through the first half on Mbenza Bedi's goal and then spent most of the second half in its own end frustrating Pachuca.

The Congolese side advances to face Brazil Internacional in Tuesday's semifinals, while Pachuca will be relegated to the fifth-place consolation match on Wednesday against the loser of Saturday's other semifinal between Emirati club Al-Wahda and Seongnam Ilhwa Chumna of South Korea.

Mazembe pushed quickly from the opening kickoff, generating the first chance less than two minutes into the game when Amia Ekanga headed just over the bar from the middle of the penalty area.

The four-time African champion controlled the match for the first 10 minutes before Pachuca managed to hold any possession and finally get a shot when Franco Arizala put a weak attempt wide.

Damian Manso nearly gave "Los Tuzos" the lead in the 19th touching the ball into the top of the area on the left side and launching a left-footed effort that caromed off the far post and back across the goalmouth.

Bedi put Mazembe ahead in the 21st after a deft touch by Mulota Kabangu.

The 24-year-old midfielder paused just inside the top of the offensive third and flicked a pass into the path of Bedi, who ran onto and volleyed the ball two meters outside the right of the six-yard box over Pachuca keeper Miguel Calero.

Pachuca had the better of play for the remainder of the half and pressed the Africans after thebreak.

Francisco Torres, Manso and Paul Aguilar all put chances wide in the first five minutes and Raul Martinez put a right-footed effort from more than 30 meters off the upper right corner of the goal frame in the 61st.

Mazembe appeared content to defend, with an occasional foray forward, its best when Bedi tried a chance from the edge of the penalty area that Calero had to lunge and knock away with his extended left hand in the 71st.

Pachuca's final boost came when Stoppila Sunzu was ejected in the 81st for a foul on Manso, an infraction that earned him a second yellow card in 20 minutes.

The Tuzos had several late chances, including in the 87th when Hercules Gomez's curling cross from the right was punched clear by goalkeeper Muteba Kidiala.

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