Pohang stun Al Ittihad for title

2009/11/08

TOKYO: Pohang Steelers of South Korea shocked two-time champions Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia 2-1 to capture the AFC Champions League title here yesterday.

After a scoreless first half, the opening goal was scored by forward No Byung-Jun, who netted from a free kick in the 57th minute after the team's top Brazilian scorer Denilson was fouled.

The Koreans doubled their lead just eight minutes later from another free kick. Midfielder Kim Jae-Sung played the ball into the box and defender Kim Hyung-Il headed in to leave the Saudi giants with an uphill task.

Although Al Ittihad clawed a goal back through Mohammed Noor in the 74th minute they could not find another goal, with Morocco midfielder Hicham Aboucherouane's free kick in injury time going wide.

The momentum switched several times in the first half, with midfielder Shin Hyung-Min failing to connect cleanly with a shot from distance and Mecedonian striker Stevica Ristic forcing the Saudi goalkeeper into a save.

Both sides were guilty of missing several more chances to open the scoring before Al Ittihad skipper Mohammed Noor was sliced down by Shin Hyung-Min just outside the area, with Shin booked as a result.

With the victory, Pohang won a berth in the Fifa Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates on Dec 9-19.

It was the Korean side's third continental title following their victories in the former Asian Club Championship in 1997 and 1998.

On the way to the final they eliminated Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan and Umm-Salal of Qatar. -- AFP