Mazembe into Club World Cup semifinals

Published Dec. 10, 2010 8:41 p.m. ET

foxsports

African champion TP Mazembe reached the semifinals of the Club World Cup with a scrappy 1-0 win over Pachuca of Mexico on Friday from Mbeza Bedi's first-half goal.

Bedi found the net in the 21st minute at Mohammed Bin Zayed stadium in Abu Dhabi to put the Congo team through to a match against Internacional of Brazil on Tuesday.

Mulota Kabangu flicked a pass to the onrushing Bedi, who smashed it into the net to reward Mazembe for its early dominance.

''We won tonight's match due to the bravery and courage of our team, but technically we could have been better,'' Mazembe coach Lamine N'Diaye said. ''Our aim now is to develop and to play better in the coming games.

''Internacional are a strong team and we are looking forward to our match against them. We will give our best and try to win.''

Mazembe's Stoppila Sunzu was sent off after receiving a second yellow card in the 81st.

Pachuca's Alejandro Manso had the first good chance of the game when he volleyed against the post in the 19th, and he later came close to equalizing with a long-range shot.

Mazembe nearly doubled the lead before halftime, but Given Singuluma's effort went just wide.

Last year, Mazembe lost to Pohang Steelers in the quarterfinals.

''Overall, I think we played a very good game and had control of the match,'' Pachuca coach Pablo Marini said. ''We knew that Mazembe were a very good side, but we didn't expect to lose.''

On Saturday, Al Wahda of the United Arab Emirates will play South Korean team Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma for the right to meet European champion Inter Milan in the other semifinal.