Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma were crowned winners of the 2010 AFC Champions League after the Korea Republic side beat Zob Ahan 3-1 in a thrilling final at Tokyo’s National Stadium.

Australia’s Sasa Ognenovski scored the opening goal in the first-half before Cho Byung-kuk’s 52nd minute goal had Seongnam cruising.

Mohammadreza Khalatbari looked to have sparked a late Zob Ahan fight-back when he clawed one back for the Iranian side in the 66th minute but Kim Cheol-ho put the result beyond doubt for Seongnam with eight minutes remaining to ensure the AFC Champions League trophy remains in Korea Republic.

Seongnam created their first real chance in the 14th minute when Song Ho-young’s clever ball unlocked the Zob Ahan defence and allowed Mauricio Molina to race through, but the Colombian forward drove his shot wide of the right post.

Ognenovski blocked Zob Ahan first real attempt on goal in the 24th minute after keeper Jung Sung-ryong weakly punched Mahdi Rajabzadeh’s free-kick straight to Igor Castro but the Brazilian’s goal-bound shot was headed off the line by the Seongnam skipper.

It was a crucial intervention as just five minutes later Ognenovski gave Seongnam the lead.

Kim Sung-hwan sent in a very long throw which caused havoc in the box and when Zob Ahan were unable to clear, Ognenovski took advantage to prod home from close range.

The goal gave Seongnam the boost it needed to begin dominating the game and Zob Ahan defence had to be at their best to prevent the Koreans from extending their lead.

The Iranians didn’t sit still and almost snatched an equaliser seconds before half time when Ghasem Hadadifar’s cross from the left found Mohammad Hosseini inside the area but the right-back’s close-range shot on the turn was expertly turned around the post by Jung.

Seongnam were quickest off the mark in the second half with the lively Molina causing Zob Ahan problems and Shahab Gordan needed to push his low drive behind for a corner in the 51st minute.

But it was from the resulting set piece that Seongnam extended their lead when Cho Dong-geon flicked the ball on for Cho Byung-kuk and the defender directed a deft header into the back of the net.

Zob Ahan pulled one back 76th minute, however, when Igor Castro stabbed a shot that deflected off Jung to Khalatbari, who looped a smart header over backtracking defenders and into the empty net.

Momentum was with Zob Ahan for the final stages of the game and they look like equalising.

But Seongnam secured Asian club football’s most coveted trophy in the 82nd minute when Molina’s shot struck a defender and Kim Cheol-ho was on hand to collect the ball and fire home

Original article is here – The-AFC

Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma FC have won the 2010 Asian Champions League final again Zob Ahan 3 – 1 in Tokyo Japan. The final score was 3 – 1.

Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma FC   V   Zobahan (3 – 1) (FT)
Goal 29′ – Ognenovski (1 – 0)
Goal 53′ – Cho Byung Kuk (2 – 0)
Goal 67′ – MOHAMMED Reda Khalatbari (2 – 1)
Goal 83′ – Kim Cheol Ho (3 – 1)

Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma FC   V   Zobahan (3 – 1) (FT)
Goal 29′ – Ognenovski (1 – 0)
Goal 53′ – Cho Byung Kuk (2 – 0)
Goal 67′ – MOHAMMED Reda Khalatbari (2 – 1)
Goal 83′ – Kim Cheol Ho (3 – 1)

Final is on its way, good luck to both teams

The AFC Asian Champions League finale will take place on Saturday 13th of November 2011. The grand event will be hosted in Tokyo, Japan. Japan’s National Stadium, located in the centre of Tokyo, has a long history as a Home of Football in Japan. The Stadium has been loved by many football fans for decades and was the host of the 2009 final.

Our two finalists are Zobahan (Iran) and Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (South Korea). The game will take place at 9pm.

Bunyodkor’s FYROM striker Stevica Ristik will miss the opening AFC Champions League campaign as Luiz Felipe Scolari has opted for the Brazilians.

Ristik played a key role in Pohang Steelers’ continental victory in 2009. He was also the scorer of the match-winner against Bunyodkor in the quarter-final.

The 27-year-old Stevo and Brazilian Edson Ramos have been left out by Scolari as he picked up Rivaldo, Denilson and Joao Victor to fill up the quota of three non-Asian players.

Scolari, however, didn’t say much at the press conference to present the club’s new players on Tuesday regarding his team choice. He did say that a final decision had not been made.

“I am the coach and my duty is to train the team. I don’t have time to work with transfer issues. Rivaldo is my advisor on this and helps me find the right players on certain positions,” he said replying to questions on Rivaldo’s involvement in player transfers.

Singapore Armed Forces have beaten Muangthong United of Thailand 4-3 on penalties to progress to the AFC Champions League group stage for the second successive year.

Both sides canceled each other out as 120 minutes of football ended goalless, leaving penalties to determine the winner.

Muangthong defender Panupong Wongsa and SAF winger Taisuke Akiyoshi had their spot-kicks saved before Pakasit Saensook sent the final kick high over the bar to give the home side the win in dramatic and heartbreaking fashion.

SAF will play in Group G alongside 2008 ACL winners Gamba Osaka, Suwon Samsung Bluewings and Henan Jianye and Bok hailed his side for once again ensuring they will play in Asia’s premier competition.

Al Wahda coach Josef Hickersberger was pleased to see his side secure their place in the 2010 AFC Champions League following a 5-2 play-off win over Churchill Brothers on Saturday.

The hosts fell behind in the 41st minute when Japanese midfielder Dan Ito struck. Al Wahda struck back with goals either side of the break from Fernando Baiano and Mahmoud Khamis.

Abdulraheem Juma made it 3-1 in the 63rd minute before Baiano scored his second goal of the game two minutes later and though Churchill Brothers pulled a goal back in the 77th minute through Leihaorungbam Dhanachandra Singh, Ismaeil Matar sealed the win with five minutes remaining.

The victory means Al Wahda will play in Group B of the AFC Champions League but Hickersberger expressed his disappointment with the performance of his side’s defence against Churchill Brothers.

“Despite winning tonight, I’m not satisfied with the performance especially defensively as we conceded two goals from simple mistakes,” said the Austrian.

United will face Singapore Armed Forces for a place in the 2010 AFC Champions League after the Thai side overcame nine-man Da Nang 3-0 at Chi Long Stadium.

Muangthong scored through Panupong Wongsa in the 33rd minute and then again at half-time when Christian Kouakou netted.  Jakkaphan Kaewprom then put the result beyond doubt in the 81st minute.

Rogerio was red carded one minute from the end as the Vietnamese side saw their AFC Champions League dreams ended by the clinical Thais.

Da Nang controlled the opening half-hour but were unable to strike the first blow with forward Sebastian Merlo Gaston acutely feeling the absence of strike partner Almeida as he ploughed a lone furrow up front.

And the home fans were left stunned just after the half-hour mark when Muangthong went ahead.

The Thais had looked to threaten from set-pieces and they took the lead with a 40-yard free-kick that was divert into the back of the net.

Da Nang’s situation took a further hit with the sending off of Van Hoc who collected his second yellow card.

And their hopes were well and truly ended nine minutes from the end when Jakkaphan claimed Muangthong’s third as he followed up to slot home after Kouakou had initially hit the post with a firm strike.

Adelaide United FC has announced its squad for the upcoming AFC Champions League 2010, which kicks off in under a month, the club submitting a list of 25 for its historic third appearance in the prestigious Asian club competition.

Argentinean Marcos Flores has been joined by left sided Brazilian Cassio and English born striker Lloyd Owusu as the Reds’ three foreigners, while young Korean midfielder Inseob Shin is the additional Asian import.

United have also included four players from the club’s Youth squad, naming striker Evan Kostopoulos and defensive duo Perry Mitris and Dane Milovanovic, while Nick Munro takes up the third goalkeeper spot.

Brazilian duo Cristiano and Alemao have been left out of the squad, as clubs can only have three imports in the ACL, but with United submitting 25 players out of a maximum 30, Coach Aurelio Vidmar can make up to five changes to his squad before the February 17 cut off as he aims to repeat the club’s feat of reaching the final in 2008.

“It’s never easy to make decisions like that because the ACL is a big tournament and every player wants to play in it,” Vidmar said after deciding on which foreigner players to take into the competition.

“Unfortunately it’s a decision we have to make and that’s the way we chose to go.”

While the Reds have submitted their initial squad list, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) regulations do allow the club to make changes to its player roster up until a week before its first match of the competition, which is on February 24 against reigning title holders, the Pohang Steelers at Hindmarsh Stadium.

The Reds’ opening match at home against Pohang will be followed by a trip to China to face Shandong Luneng before home and away matches against Japan’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

A trip to Korea to tackle the Steelers in the penultimate Match Day will culminate with United back at Hindmarsh Stadium for a clash against Shandong.

The priority period for Adelaide United members to purchase tickets for the club’s home matches in the ACL are available now through Ticketek, with tickets going on sale to the general public on February 1.

ADELAIDE UNITED FC – AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2010 SQUAD
1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk)
2.Robert CORNTHWAITE
4.Iain FYFE
5.Daniel MULLEN
6.CASSIO
7.Lucas PANTELIS
8.Kristian SARKIES
10.Adam HUGHES
11.Lloyd OWUSU
12.Paul REID
13.Travis DODD (c)
14.Scott JAMIESON
15.Francesco MONTEROSSO
16.Inseob SHIN
17.Michael MARRONE
18.Fabian BARBIERO
19.Mathew LECKIE
20.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk)
21.Mark RUDAN
22.Dane MILOVANOVIC
23.Joe COSTA
24.Marcos FLORES
25.Evan KOSTOPOULOS
26.Perry MITRIS
30.Nick MUNRO (gk)

AFC Champions League ever-presents Pakhtakor have appointed Montenegro’s Miodrag Radulovic as their new head coach on Sunday.

The 42-year-old has coached Montenegro under-19 team and also served as assistant coach in the Montenegro national team.

He will take over from Viktor Djalilov under whom the Uzbeks reached the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League this year where they lost to Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad 5-1 on aggregate.

Pakhtakor were placed in Group C of the 2010 AFC Champions League alongside former winners UAE’s Al Ain, Iran’s Sepahan and Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab.

The AFC Champions League 2010 will begin on February 23, with 32 of Asia’s most successful clubs competing for the title and a spot in the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup.

Melbourne Victory became the first team to qualify for Asia’s premier club competition when it won the Hyundai A-League 2008/09 Premiership in January this year.

Adelaide United is Australia’s other representative, with teams from Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Japan, Korea Republic, China and Indonesia having also secured places in next year’s tournament.

As of November 30, only three AFC Champions League 2010 spots remain, with one team from Japan and the play-off winners from West Asia and East Asia still to be determined.

Similarly to the AFC Champions League 2009, Australia’s representatives in 2010 will be grouped against one team from Japan, China and Korea Republic respectively, with the AFC Champions League draw on Monday, December 7 to reveal Melbourne Victory’s opponents and schedule.

The 32 clubs will be divided into eight groups of four, based on region, with each club to play home and away matches against the other three teams in its group.

Melbourne Victory last competed in the AFC Champions League in 2008, finishing second in Group G behind Japan’s Gamba Osaka, which went on to win the tournament by defeating Adelaide 5-0 on aggregate in the Final.

The competition’s format has since changed, with the top two teams from each of the eight groups of four to progress to the Round of 16.

The schedule for the AFC Champions League 2010 is as follows:

Match Day 1: February 23/24
Match Day 2: March 9/10
Match Day 3: March 23/24
Match Day 4: March 30/31
Match Day 5: April 13/14
Match Day 6: April 27/28

Round of 16: May 11/12

Quarter Finals 1st Leg: September 15
Quarter Finals 2nd Leg: September 22

Semi Finals 1st Leg: October 6
Semi Finals 2nd Leg: October 20

Final: November 12 or 13

The 2010 AFC Champions League draw was held on Monday with the cards throwing up a host of intriguing and mouth-watering clashes in Asia’s premier club competition.

Defending champions Pohang Steelers, 2009 runners-up Al Ittihad and former champions Gamba Osaka, Jeonbuk Motors and Al Ain were all given difficult assignments for the 2010 competition, which promises to be the best and most exciting yet.

The Steelers, of Korea Republic, must be at their best if they are to emerge from the group stages when they were placed in Group H alongside Australia’s 2008 ACL runners-up Adelaide United, Chinese side Shandong Luneng and the Japanese Emperor’s Cup winners, who will be decided on January 1.

Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad, the former two-time champions and 2009 runners-up, were thrown into what could be West Asia’s Group of Death – Group B with Iran’s Zob Ahan, big-spending Bunyodkor, of Uzbekistan, and the West play-off winners.

Group C is also a candidate for the toughest of the competition, with inaugural ACL winners Al Ain, of United Arab Emirates, flung in with Iran’s 2007 runners-up Sepahan, Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab and Uzbek giants Pakhtakor.

Former champions Gamba Osaka, of Japan, and Korean side Jeonbuk Motors, were given testing challenges.

Gamba, the 2008 champions, are in Group G with ACL newcomers Henan Jianye, of China, Korean FA Cup winners Suwon Bluewings and the East Asian play-off winners.

The 2006 ACL winners Jeonbuk, who were crowned Korean champions over the weekend, must take on J.League champions Kashima Antlers, Indonesians Persipura Jaya and Chinese Super League runners-up Changchun Yatai in Group F.

Group E is probably the East Group of Death with Koreans Seongnam Ilhwa, Australian champions Melbourne Victory, CSL winners Beijing Guoan and J.League runners-up Kawasaki Frontale.

In Group A, Saudi side Al Ahli are pooled with Qatar’s Al Gharafa, UAE’s Al Jazira and Iran champions Esteghlal.

The UAE’s Al Ahli have been placed in Group D with Qataris Al Sadd, Iranian newcomers Mes Kerman and Saudi runners-up Al Hilal.

THE GROUPINGS

West

Group A
Al Ahli (KSA), Al Gharafa (QAT), Al Jazira (UAE), Esteghlal (IRN)

Group B
Zobahan (IRN), Al Ittihad (KSA), Bunyodkor (UZB), Play-off Winner (West)

Group C
Al Ain (UAE), Sepahan (IRN), Al Shabab (KSA), Pakhtakor (UZB)

Group D
Al Sadd (QAT), Al Ahli (UAE), Mes (IRN), Al Hilal (KSA)

East

Group E
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (KOR), Melbourne Victory (AUS), Beijing Guoan (CHN), Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Group F
Kashima Antlers (JPN), Jeonbuk Motors (KOR), Persipura Jayapura (IDN), Changchun Yatai (CHN)

Group G
Henan Jianye (CHN), Gamba Osaka (JPN), Suwon Bluewings (KOR), Play-off East winners

Group H
Adelaide United (AUS), Shandong Luneng (CHN), Cup winners (JPN), Pohang Steelers (KOR)

Play-off draw

West
SF1 – Al Karamah (SYR) v Al Wahda (UAE)
SF2 – Churchill Brothers (IND) bye into play-off final
Final – Winner (Al Karamah v Al Wahda) v Churchill Brothers
West winner goes to ACL. The two losers go to AFC Cup.

East
SF1 – Armed Forces (SIN) v Sriwijaya (IDN)
SF2 – Da Nang (VIE) v Muangthong (THA)
Final – Winner SF1 v  Winner SF2
East winner goes to ACL. The three losers go to AFC Cup.

Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United were handed tough opponents when the 2010 AFC Champions League draw was made in Kuala Lumpur on Monday night.

A-League champions Melbourne have been cast in Group E with Korea Republic’s Seongnam, China’s Beijing Guoan and Kawasaki Frontale of Japan.

Adelaide, who reached the 2008 ACL final but are languishing at the bottom of the A-League, must face Shandong Luneng of China, holders Pohang Steelers of Korea Republic and the winners of Japan’s Emperor’s Cup in Group H.

Group A: Al Ahli (Saudi Arabia), Al Gharafa (Qatar), Al Jazira (UAE), Esteghlal (Iran)

Group B: Zobahan (Iran), Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia), Bunyodkor (Uzbekistan), playoff winner (west).

Group C: Al Ain (UAE), Sepahan (Iran), Al Shabab (Saudi Arabia), Pakhtakor (Uzbekistan).

Group D: Al Sadd (Qatar), Al Ahli (UAE), Mes (Iran), Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia).

Group E: Seongnam (Korea Rep), Melbourne Victory (Aus), Beijing Guoan (China), Kawasaki Frontale (Japan).

Group F: Kashima Antlers (Japan), Persipura (Indonesia), Jeonbuk (Korea Rep), Changchun (China).

Group G: Henan (China), Gamba Osaka (Japan), Suwon (Korea Rep), playoff winner (east).

Group H: Adelaide Utd (Aus), Shandong (China), Emperor’s Cup winner (Japan), Pohang Steelers (Korea Rep).

Round of 16: Winners A v runners-up C, winners C v runners-up A, winners B v runners-up D, winners D v runners-up B, winners E v runners-up G, winners G v runners-up E, winners F v runners-up H, winners H v runners-up F.

Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma qualified for the 2010 Asian Champions League by defeating Chunnam Dragons 1-0 in the second round of the K-League’s championship play-off series.

Mauricio Molina’s first-half strike earned the seven-time champions a semi-final date with the 2009 Asian Champions League winners Pohang Steelers on Sunday.

It was a tight game at Seongnam and it was settled by the Colombian after 23 minutes.

Kim Sung-hwan was given too much space in the Chunnam half and his floated cross found Molina just inside the Dragons’ area. The former international star directed a long-range header into the top corner of the visitor’s net.

Chunnam had chances in the second half and thought they had scored with the last kick of the game but Jung Yoon-sung’s close-range effort was adjudged to be offside.

The AFC Champions League has come in for critical acclaim from none other than the newest owners of the title – Pohang Steelers.

The continental competition was completely revamped this year on professional lines with the axe falling on all those countries which failed to meet the relevant criteria.

And, the results were there for all to see: a manifold increase in the prize money, top-quality matches, and soaring attendances.

Now Pohang coach Sergio Farias has put his stamp of approval on the competition and its rising standards.

Farias said: “For this competition, the level was very high. The high standards meant we were exhausted and became very tired.”

Farias said the fact that Pohang were battling on four fronts also dragged them down.

“For us it wasn’t just the AFC Champions League. We were also playing in four different competitions at the same time.

“There were injuries (to the players) and I think the trick was in producing an optimum performance in all the different competitions. I think we did it well.”

The Brazilian tactician felt the games were highly technical, demanding a lot of preparation.

“Some games were very demanding technically. The group games against Kawasaki Frontale were exceptional and the Final too. These matches were extremely technical.”

Pohang are just a few games away from realising the coach’s dream of three titles this season. After finishing second in the K.League regular season, the Steelers are in the mix for the coveted silverware.

And Farias believes his battle-weary troops are ready for the final push.

“We lost the Korean FA Cup but were able to win the other two (Peace Cup and ACL). So I fully expect we can achieve our goal of becoming the K.League champions.

“If we do it, it would also prove our staff are doing an excellent job as our players are quite tired.”

According to Farias, the K.League would be the final springboard for his men before the FIFA Club World Cup in December.

“Before we play in Abu Dhabi (FIFA Club World Cup), there are the final stages of the K.League to be dealt with. We want to be champions and win our second title. That will be a good boost for the FIFA Club World Cup.

“It is the dream of every team to play in the FIFA Club World Cup. I think we have the experience for the tournament as we have played against teams from all kinds of leagues and so many different competitions. We are well prepared.”

The AFC has announced the names of 8 clubs eligible to compete in the play-offs for the 2010 AFC Champions League.

However, participation is conditional on the teams fulfilling AFC criteria for professionalism, including clubs being registered as commercial entities. Other requirements include having a minimum number of players under professional contracts, encouraging youth development and the use of a home stadium with a minimum capacity of 3,000 seats.

The final list is due to be released in November. Only 2 teams – one from East and one from West – from the play-offs will qualify for the group stages of the 2010 AFC Champions League.

The following teams are eligible to compete in the AFC Champions League 2010 Play-Offs.

Al Karamah (Syria, AFC Cup winners/runners-up)
Kuwait SC (Kuwait, AFC Cup winners/runners-up)
Churchill Borthers SC (India, league champions)
Sriwijaya (Indonesia, knock-out champions)
Singapore Armed Forces (Singapore, league champions)
Muang Thong United (Thailand, league champions)
SHB Da Nang (Vietnam, league champions)
Al Wahda (United Arab Emirates, fourth place)

The draw for the AFC Champions League 2010 will be held on 7 December 2009.

The draw takes place at 4pm Malaysia time at the AFC House here.

The draw for the continent’s second-tier club tournament, the AFC Cup 2010, takes place at 3pm.

The 2010 ACL will be the second edition of the revamped competition, in which only the leagues and clubs that fulfil strict criteria in relation to professionalism are included in the 32-club draw.

The clubs are drawn into eight groups of four teams, with four groups featuring teams from West and Central Asia, while the other four are populated by clubs from East Asia and the Asean region.

The top two teams from each group advance to the Round of 16.

The AFC Cup also features 32 teams divided into eight groups of four with the top two progressing to the last 16.

The identity of both the ACL 2010 and AFC Cup 2010 teams will be announced soon.