Steelers show their mettle in victory

Reigning Asian Club champions Pohang Steelers survived a last-ditch assault from Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal to scrape into Sunday's final against Dalian Wanda.

A desperately tired Pohang won through to their second consecutive final after a lightning strike from skipper Park Tae-ha was enough to give them a 1-0 victory.

Park was the scorer but the goal was laid on superbly by Korean international Hwang Sun-hong, who shrugged off the effects of Wednesday's match against Japan to be a constant menace.

'We won the match but I am not happy with our performance,' was the verdict of Pohang coach Park Sun-wha. 'We didn't play at all well and we will have to improve before the final,' he said. Pohang will be looking to avenge a 2-1 defeat suffered by Dalian in a previous round.

'Dalian are a good football team. They will be tough opponents but I expect the final to be very exciting for the fans,' he added.

Al Hilal's assistant coach Mansor Al Mansour said his team had played 'high-quality football' but blamed poor finishing for his side's defeat.

'We played very well. And we created lots of chances but couldn't score. Pohang only created a few chances but they scored . . . but we are happy with the way we played,' Al Mansour said.

Al Hilal had started brightly enough, with Saudi Arabia international Sami Al Jaber darting around in attack to keep the Korean back four on their toes.

Defender Ahmed Al Dosari had given Pohang their first scare of the evening with a 25-yard dipping shot that flew over the bar.

Moments later Pohang's goal was under barrage again, when Khalid Altemawi unleashed a fierce 30-yard free-kick which took a layer of paint off the crossbar.

Pohang were able to withstand the early pressure, however, and soon began creating chances of their own.

Much of their good work in attack emanated from Hwang, who drifted from flank to flank and up the middle to good effect.

Hwang almost set up a spectacular goal for Park late in the first half. Hwang tormented the Al Hilal defence with some lovely footwork before casually floating a ball to the far post where Park was waiting.

Park's scintillating volley was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Turki Awad and Al Hilal were off the hook. It was a momentary reprieve, however.

Moments later, the ball was swept forward from midfield to Hwang, whose deft flick teed up Park once more. This time Park made no mistake, sending a firm, low shot ripping into the Pohang net.

After finishing the first half on a high, Pohang then had to spend the bulk of the next 45 minutes having to defend wave after wave of Al Hilal attacks.

Somehow they managed to survive a frantic last 15 minutes, when Al Hilal could easily have had a penalty.