Japan's Gamba win to set up United clash

Japan's Gamba Osaka beat Adelaide United 1-0 at the Club World Cup yesterday to set up a dream semi-final against Manchester United.

Gamba survived an early scare before Japan midfielder Yasuhito Endo scored the game's only goal with a clinical finish in the 23rd minute after a knock-down from Ryuji Bando.

Adelaide captain Travis Dodd headed against the bar as the Australians, torn apart 5-0 on aggregate by Gamba in last month's Asian Champions League final, pushed for an equaliser.

Dodd had already shaved the post in the 14th minute but Adelaide posed less threat in the second half of the Club World Cup quarter-final before a late salvo in injury time.

Endo and Brazilian striker Lucas both missed chances to increase Gamba's lead.

"It was a lot more difficult than the Asian final," Gamba coach Akira Nishino said.

"It was a knockout game so it was all about the result. Now we can think about the semi-final."

Gamba will play European champions United in Yokohama on Thursday. Libertadores Cup holders LDU, of Ecuador, face Mexico's Pachuca in the first semi a day earlier.

The final of the seven-team FIFA tournament takes place next Sunday.