Monterrey through to Club World Cup semis, set to face Chelsea

If the Rayados felt any need for redemption after losing their first match of the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup, Monterrey got it on Sunday, possibly transferring their need for revenge onto Asian champions Ulsan Hyundai. CONCACAF’s representatives dominated their Korean counterparts, outshooting Ulsan 10-1 with 58 percent possession en route to a 3-1 victory.

The win gives Monterrey a dream matchup in the tournament’s semifinals. The Liga MX side’s now set to take on Chelsea on Thursday in Yokohama.

As easily worked as the first goal was – Monterrey’s passing knifing back-and-forth through Ulsan’s defense to create and easy score for Jesus Corona – a second goal proved surprisingly difficult. The insurance tally wouldn’t come for another 70 minutes, but when it did, two relatively easy goals for Cesar Delgado put the match away. Only a gift from Monterrey keeper Jonathan Orozco left the final so much closer than the actual game.

MORE: Al Ahly’s amazing run continues into Club World Cup semis

It was a dominant performance for a Rayado side that struggled through the Mexican season. Monterrey, finalists in the 2012 Clausura, plodded to a seventh place finish in the Apertura before being eliminated by eventual champions Tijuana in the first round of the playoffs. Their defense was a problem all tournament, and with the downturn in goal production from Humberto Suazo (who never got off the bench today in Toyota), Monterrey never looked their confederation-winning selves.

Until today, there was little indication the Rayados were a stronger team than last year, but against a team that was so convincing against Al-Ahli in the final of Asia’s Champions League, Monterrey had no problems.

They move on the to semifinals while Ulsan’s relegated to the fifth-place game.

Here are the highlights: