Club World Cup: Al Wahda 1 Seongnam Ilhwa 4

South Korean side Seongnam Ilhwa have dashed local hopes in the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi, thrashing Al Wahda 4-1 on Saturday.

The United Arab Emirates outfit started poorly, handing Seongnam’s first goal to them in the fourth minute.

Al Wahda goalkeeper Adel al Hosani and defender Hamdan Al Kamali failed to communicate with one another, allowing Seongnam midfielder Mauricio Molina to lash home a left-footed strike into an empty net.

Al Wahda equalised in the 27th minute when Eisa Ahmed’s cross found Fernando Baiano, who headed home from eight yards out.

Australian defender Sasa Ognenovski jumped the highest at a Molina corner kick on the half-hour mark, heading the South Koreans back in front.

Sung-Kuk Choi and Dong-Geon Cho sealed the win with goals in the 71st and 81st minutes respectively, giving Seongnam a comprehensive victory.