Iran’s Zobahan make Champs final

Zobahan beat Saudi Arabia’s al-Hilal 1-0 to set up meeting with Seongnam Ilhwa of South Korea.

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Cho Dong-Geon of South Korea’s Seongnam Ilhwa scored to secure victory over al-Shabab [AFP]

Iran’s Zobahan have reached their first ever Asian Champions League final, after beating Saudi Arabia’s al-Hilal 1-0.

Zobahan’s Igor Jose Castro scored early in the second half to give them the second leg victory, having won the first leg with the same result.

Lee Young-Pyo, the veteran al-Hilal defender, was also sent off towards the end of the game for petulantly kicking an opponent.

They could become the first Iranian side to win the Champions League since Pas Tehran lifted the title in 1993.

However, they will have to beat Seongnam Ilhwa of South Korea in the final to claim that crown. Seongnam beat Saudi Arabia’s al-Shabab in their semi-final.

Soeognam had lost the first leg 4-3 in Saudi, but a goal from Cho Dong-Geon was enough to see them go through to the final on the away goals rule.

“I am so happy that we have made it as far as the final,” Shin Tae-yong, Seongnam’s coach, said.

“I am also very satisfied with the performance as well. I want to thank the players for all their efforts, we have achieved our target in reaching the final and we will do our best to win the final too.

“I had a feeling that Cho would score and he played his role within the team perfectly. Kim Sung-hwan played really well and kept al-Shabab’s dangerman Camacho quiet, a very important job.”

Source: News Agencies