South Koreans Ulsan Hyundai cruised to their first Asian Champions League title as they outclassed al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia 3-0 in the final yesterday to qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup.
Captain Kwak Tae-hwi opened the scoring in the 13th minute with Brazilian forward Rafinha (68th) and midfielder Kim Seung-yong (75th) adding second-half goals as the Koreans dominated the final hosted in Ulsan after a draw by organizers.
The 3-0 win was Ulsan’s ninth consecutive victory in Asia’s premier club tournament, which they went through unbeaten, as a South Korean team lifted the trophy for the third time in four years.
Photo: Reuters
WINNERS CHECK
Ulsan collected the US$1.5 million winners check and trophy from AFC acting president Zhang Jilong and will now represent Asia in the Club World Cup next month in Japan where they will take on Mexican side Monterrey in the quarter-finals.
The win in the south-eastern city never looked in doubt once Ulsan took the lead thanks to big centerhalf Kwak, who glanced home a header from Kim Seung-yong’s free-kick.
Ulsan strikers Rafinha and Kim Shin-wook caused the visitors numerous problems as the home side played in a surprisingly direct style in contrast to the more possession-conscious play that had helped them reach the final for the first time.
While the South Koreans routinely pinned al-Ahli back in their own half with a pressing high defensive line, they struggled to test the Saudi’s goalkeeper Abdullah Mayyof.
The visitors’ best chance came in the 40th minute when Moataz al-Musa expertly controlled a ball into the box but his strong right-foot shot was well blocked before teammate Victor saw his rebound cleared by a scrambling Ulsan defense.
Brazilian Victor had a couple of further half chances after the break before Kwak missed a great chance to double the advantage on the hour mark, wasting a free header after another pinpoint free-kick from deep by Kim Seung-yong.
Ulsan did grab a second seven minutes later when another long ball into the box was headed across goal by the towering Kim Shin-wook and Rafinha was on hand to bundle the ball in from close range, celebrating with a “Gangnam style” dance.
HEADS DROPPED
Al-Ahli, playing their first match outside of the Middle East in this year’s tournament, looked beaten and their heads dropped as Kim Seung-yong added some shine to the victory with a third seven minutes later.
The dead-ball specialist neatly controlled a cross to the back post on his chest before rifling home a powerful right foot shot to the joy of the home crowd.
Kim Shin-wook twice came close to adding a fourth in the dying stages as al-Ahli lost their discipline.
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