AFC Champions League: Ulsan crowned Asian champions but Qatar the big winners
- Ulsan’s 2-1 win over Iran’s Persepolis in Doha on Saturday marks the 12th time a K-League team has been crowned Asian champions
Ulsan’s 2-1 win over Iran’s Persepolis in Doha on Saturday marked the 12th time a K-League team had been crowned Asian champions, and the eighth in the last nine years from the eastern half of the confederation to secure the title.
Al Hilal’s win last year interrupted East Asia’s dominance and the Saudi Arabian side also threatened to dictate the narrative of the 2020 edition, though this time because of their early exit.
The nature of their elimination reflected the difficulties faced by organisers determined to conclude the competition when it reconvened in Doha in September after a six-month suspension caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Qatari capital had set itself up as a bio-secure venue to host games involving teams from the west of the continent but a rash of infections within the Al Hilal squad saw the Saudis effectively kicked out of the tournament.