DOHA (Qatar): Andre-Pierre Gignac struck twice as Tigres UANL came from behind to beat Ulsan Hyundai FC 2-1 and set up a FIFA Club World Cup semifinal with Palmeiras.
Frenchman Gignac, the Mexicans’ all-time leading scorer (146 goals in all competitions), turned the global showpiece’s opening match on its head with an opportunistic brace – a tap-in and a penalty – late in the first half.
Kim Keehee had earlier put the Asian champions into a 24th-minute lead at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan with a powerful near-post header from Yoon Bitgaram’s inswinging corner.
But despite the Asian champions’ best efforts in a second half devoid of clear-cut chances, it was Gignac and Tigres who ended as the victors.
The Concacaf champions can now look forward to a last-four duel with Palmeiras, South America’s representatives, at Al Rayyan’s Education City Stadium on Sunday. (Source: FIFA.com)
