LEAD: Brazil and Mexico reach men's Olympic football final

London (dpa) - Brazil defeated South Korea 3-0 on Tuesday to set up a meeting with Mexico in the men‘s Olympic football final.

Defender Romula opened the scoring in the 38th minute while Leandro followed with two more goals in the second half to seal victory in the semi-final at Old Trafford in Manchester.

Despite having won the World Cup five times Brazil have never won an Olympic gold, a situation they will hope to remedy in Saturday‘s final at Wembley arena.

Earlier Tuesday Mexico defeated Japan 3-1 to reach the men‘s Olympic final for the first time.

Goals from Marco Fabian on 31 minutes, Oribe Peralta on 65 and Javier Cortes in added time secured the Mexican victory at Wembley.

Japan‘s lone goal was a 12th minute effort from Yuki Otsu, who plays in the German Bundesliga for Borussia Monchengladbach. Attendance was a near-capacity 82,000.

"We are very happy about having already secured a silver medal. But that does not mean we are settling. We‘re going to try to win the gold," Mexico coach Luis Fernando Tena said.

It will be the first time the country has won an Olympic medal in the sport.

"Thank god it was a very beautiful goal, but it makes no difference if you push it in with your shin or however you do it," said striker Oribe Peralta of his goal. "This is one of the most important moments in my sports career. I hope to crown it with the gold medal." dpa aer mis hl