Cheered by 35,995 fans, the Champions League winners won the semifinal 3-0. Serbian Dejan Stankovic, captain Javier Zanetti and Diego Milito scored for Inter in the third, 32^nd and 73^rd minutes respectively.

Inter will meet surprise finalists TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the title clash at the Zayed Sports City on Saturday, while Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma FC face SC Internacional in the play-off for the third place on the same night.

Inter lost their dead-ball specialist Wesley Sneijder in the opening minute of the game. The Dutchman was a victim of a Kim Sung Hwan tackle and limped off the pitch in what appeared to be a hamstring injury. Manager Rafael Benitez had to re-jig his midfield and brought in Brazilian Thiago Motta for Sneijder. Inter, though went ahead in the third minute through Dejan Stankovic after a build-up from the left. Samuel Eto’o fired in a perfect ball from the left and Diego Milito sliced through the defenders and laid it for Stankovic, who slotted it home.

Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma FC tried to conjure up a few attacks but couldn’t get past a stoic Inter defence. Inter doubled the lead in the 32^nd minute through a combined effort from their men from Argentina. Diego Milito came up with a piece of sheer brilliance where he back heeled it for Zanetti who fired it home.

Seongnam had a couple of chances through free-kicks but couldn’t convert. Radoncic Dzenan’s dangerous header was tapped over the crossbar by goalkeeper Julio Cesar in the 38^th minute before Cho Byung Kuk’s header went wide in the 43^rd minute.

Inter had 54 per cent of ball possession while Seongnam had 46 per cent after the first half.

Inter had a chance to increase the lead but Seongnam goalkeeper Jung Sung Ryong fumbled but collected a shot from Milito after Dejan Stankovic made a foray from the left.

Later, a Jo Jae Cheol shot from close range went over the crossbar.

Diego Milito made it 3-0 for Inter in the 73^rd minute, drilling home his left-footer from close range after Samuel Eto’o’s pile driver from the left was blocked by the charging goalkeeper Jung Sung Ryong.

Seongnam could have reduced the margin three minutes later but Radoncic Dzenan muffed up his shot from close range by shooting it wide after captain Sasa Ognenovski’s free-kick was blocked by goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

TEAMS

Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma FC (Korea): Jung Sung Ryong, Ko Jae Sung, Sasa Ognenovski ©, Cho Byung Kuk, Choi Sung Kuk, Cho Dong Geon, Radoncic Dzenan, Mauricio Molina, Kim Sung Hwan, Hong Chul, Jo Jae Cheol. Substitutes: Yun Young Sun, Cheon Kwang Jin, Jeong Ho Jeong, Song Ho Young, Namkung Do, Kim Jin Ryong, Jang Suk Won, Park Sang Hee, Yong Hyun Jin, Kang Sung Kwan, Lee San Gi. Coach: Shin Tae Yong.

Inter Milan (Italy): Julio Cesar, Ivan Cordoba, Javier Zanetti ©, Dejan Stankovic, Lucio, Samuel Eto’o, Wesley Sneijder, Esetban Cambiasso, Diego Milito, Cristian Chivu, Goran Pandev. Substitutes: Thiago Motta, Sulley Muntari, Luca Castellazzi, Maicon, MacDonald Mariga, Paolo Orlandoni, Marco Materazzi, Denis Alibec, Simone Benedetti, Davide Santon, Obiora Nwankwo, Jonathan Biabiany. Coach: Rafael Benitez.