Estudiantes to weigh in at Club World Cup
Striker Boselli looking to fulfil dream
Decorated captain Juan Sebastian Veron takes his Club World Cup bow when Argentina's Estudiantes face Pohang Steelers in today's semi-final.
The South American Libertadores Cup holders are clear favourites to beat the Asian champions from South Korea and set up a final against Barcelona.
Apart from the playmaking talents of Veron, Estudiantes possess a striker to match Pohang's Brazilian Denilson - scorer of both goals in their 2-1 win over Africa's TP Mazembe in Friday's quarter-final.
Mauro Boselli, on the fringes of Diego Maradona's Argentina squad, went to the Club World Cup in Japan with Boca Juniors in 2007 but remained on the bench in the final defeat by Milan.
"When I came with Boca I had been a part of their Libertadores victory... but this year I was fully involved (with Estudiantes), I was the top scorer in the Cup," Boselli said.
"I hope I can do well (here) because it's my dream and that of my team-mates," added the 24-year-old who scored eight goals including the Libertadores title-clincher.
In a short, seven-team tournament, the bar is quickly being raised with each succeeding match.
After amateurs Auckland City surprised the hosting United Arab Emirates with a 2-0 win over their champions Al Ahli in the opening match, Pohang Steelers impressed with their tactical nous.
Brazilian coach Sergio Farias's disciplined side overcame the attacking prowess of playmaker Mabi Mputu's Mazembe from the DR Congo 2-1 with a brace from compatriot Denilson.
Oceania champions Auckland were then brought down to earth in a 3-0 defeat by Atlante of the CONCACAF, who paraded the playmaking talents of former Argentina midfielder Santiago Solari.
The Mexican side now meet favourites Barcelona, a team with an array of world-class players who join the fray in the second semi-final tomorrow.
Estudiantes, meanwhile, will hope to overcome injury and illness problems with the same resolve they showed as underdogs when they beat Brazil's Cruzeiro away to lift the Libertadores Cup in July.
"As (coach) Alejandro (Sabella) said, this squad gets stronger when the chips are down," said Boselli.
"It already happened to us in Brazil with Cruzeiro."
Semi-finals
Today: 17.00 Estudiantes vs Pohang Steelers.
Tomorrow: 17.00 Barcelona vs Atlante.