Steelers show mettle to take title

Runs were extended and ended yesterday night in Tokyo as Pohang Steelers defeated Al Ittihad 2-1 in the final of the Asian Champions League. The result ends the Saudi Arabians' unbeaten streak in the competition and their perfect record against Korean teams in the continental competition; the label of "K-League Killers" no longer really fits. The result also means that the round-shaped trophy stays in East Asia for a fourth successive year.

More importantly for the South Koreans, the title is their third and means that Pohang Steelers are the most successful club in the history of Asian football. Sergio Farias's men also gained a spot at next month's Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi. It was close in an entertaining match in the Japanese capital. The National Stadium was about half-full for the showpiece event, the first one-off final since the competition was revamped in 2003.