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Berbatov sinks Seoul in comeback MU win

July 26, 2009 00:00:00


SEOUL, Jul 25 (Reuters): Manchester United fought back twice to beat FC Seoul 3-2 in the South Korean capital Friday, Dimitar Berbatov scoring the winner to maintain United's unbeaten record on their pre-season tour of Asia.
The Premier League champions, welcomed to a cauldron of noise with 65,000 packed into Seoul World Cup stadium, fell behind to a 23rd-minute goal from Montenegrin striker Dejan Damjanovic.
Wayne Rooney equalised just after the half-hour mark as United began to get a grip on the game but the South Koreans were back in front before the break after Damjanovic netted his second past goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak.
Italian striker Federico Macheda brought United level early in the second half before the visitors introduced Berbatov, Michael Owen and Paul Scholes.
The changes paid dividends as United's pace stretched tired Seoul legs and languid Bulgarian striker Berbatov nodded home to seal the win.
Alex Ferguson introduced hometown hero Park Ji-sung with a quarter of an hour left to play, taking the noise in the stadium to new levels. The energetic midfielder brought the crowd to its feet with every touch but was unable to give the fans the goal they craved.
Ferguson paid tribute to FC Seoul's improvement over the past couple of years. A Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired United had cruised to a 4-0 win over the same opposition two years ago.
"I think in general they're a better team now," said Ferguson. "Damjanovic did very very well. Very good performance tonight.''
"It was a ve ry good game, very entertaining. It was the best FC Seoul gave so far. Good pace, good tempo, good intensity."

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