Final AFC Champions League 2009: Pohang Steelers is the champion! [Video Update]

Pohang Steelers have been crowned the 2009 Asian champions after they defeated Al Ittihad 2-1 in the final of the AFC Champions League at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday.

Al Ittihad had shaded the first half during which chances had been at a premium but Pohang exploded into life in the second half to open the scoring through No Byung-jun’s free-kick in the 57th minute.

The South Koreans added a second just nine minutes later when Kim Hyung-il headed home from a free-kick.

Al Ittihad pulled one back in the 74th when inspirational skipper Mohammed Noor fired home from six yards after goalkeeper could only parry Amine Chermiti’s header back into the danger zone.

Byung-jun had an effort ruled out late on while Al Ittihad’s Hitcham Aboucherouane drilled a free-kick narrowly wide in stoppage time but the Pohang defence held firm as the South Koreans claimed the trophy