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Saprissa set up Liverpool showdown

Bolanos wheels away in delight after scoring the only goal against Sydney

TOYOTA, Japan -- Costa Rica's Deportivo Saprissa beat Sydney FC 1-0 on Monday to set up a dream semifinal with European champions Liverpool at the FIFA Club World Championship.

A sharp finish from Christian Bolanos two minutes into the second half gave CONCACAF champions Saprissa victory.

Sydney had defender Alvin Ceccoli harshly sent off in the 81st minute after he was adjudged to have caught Saprissa goalkeeper Jose Porras late.

Saprissa, known in Costa Rica as the "Purple Monsters", now play Liverpool in Yokohama on Thursday while Sydney take on Egypt's Al Ahly in the tournament's fifth-place playoff.

"We made history tonight," said Saprissa coach Hernan Medford. "We will face a great team in Liverpool but nothing is impossible in football. "Tomorrow we will start to think about Liverpool. For the moment we just want to enjoy this victory."

Sydney were caught cold by Bolanos' 47th-minute strike after shading the first half.

Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke had been Sydney's most dangerous player, glancing a header just wide in the 32nd minute.

Saprissa had created little, despite the presence of most of Costa Rica's national team.But midfielder Bolanos settled the game with a moment of genuine skill, controlling a long ball on his chest before sliding the ball past Sydney goalkeeper Clint Bolton.

The goalscorer was immediately overcome and raced to the bench, where he collapsed to the ground and burst into tears.

Saprissa defender Gabriel Badilla almost powered a header into his own goal in the 73rd minute but Sydney never seriously threatened to draw level.

"I think the difference was experience and their finishing was better," said Sydney coach Pierre Littbarski. "I think we represented Australia well. I think it was a very equal game."

South American champions Sao Paulo take on Saudi club Al Ittihad in Wednesday's first semifinal in Tokyo.

The final of the revamped tournament takes place in Yokohama on December 18.

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