Ulsan motor past hapless Al Ahli for first AFC title
Home side become third South Korean club in four years to be crowned champions of Asia
Ulsan Hyundai thumped Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli 3-0 yesterday to lift their first AFC Champions League trophy and become the third South Korean club in four years to be crowned kings of Asia.
Goals from Kwak Tae-hwi, Rafinha and Kim Seung-yong raised the roof at Ulsan's home stadium and ensured Kim Ho-gon's side followed in the footsteps of Pohang Steelers and Seongnam Ilhwa, winners in 2009 and 2010 respectively.
Al Ahli rarely troubled the hosts' defence throughout the 90 minutes and in the end Ulsan ran out comfortable winners to end the tournament unbeaten in front of an impressive crowd of 42,153.
"Ulsan have been waiting a long time for this win and we knew we had to win the game, but to do that we had to play our normal game just like before," said coach Kim, 61.
"I wanted the players to put Al Ahli under pressure from the first minute and get the ball through to the strikers. So today's win is because of the players."
Al Ahli's Czech coach, Karel Jarolim, admitted his team had under-performed, but added that Ulsan were worthy winners.