The win also has significance for OFC representatives Hekari United. The Papua New Guinea side are on the same side of the draw as the Asian qualifiers and will meet Seongnam in the quarter finals if they can get past hosts Al Wahda in their opening match on December 8.
Seongnam’s opener came after a Korean throw-in created confusion in the goalmouth, allowing Australian defender Ognenovsk to snatch the ball and score 29 minutes in. The goal provided a platform for the Korea Republic side to build upon and eight minutes after the break defender Cho Byung-Kuk gave them a two-goal cushion when he rose to head in from a corner.
Having threatened a fight back, Zob Ahan were given hope when Mohammadreza Khala found the net in the 67th minute after goalkeeper Jung Sung-Ryong could only parry a preceding shot. But Seongnam restored their two-goal lead through Kim Cheol-Ho, who tucked away a rebound in the 83rd minute to seal a deserved victory.
Seongnam coach Shin Tae-Yong praised Ognenovski, who played a part in all three goals, saying: “When I was in Australia, I stayed with him for one year, so I really wanted him when I became the Seongnam coach. He struggled last season, but he has integrated himself really well into Korean football. He is the best stopper in the K-League.”
Zob Ahan coach Mansour Ebrahimzadehy said: “We conceeded only five goals in 11 games, but we conceeded three in one game today. We missed so many chances and made many mistakes.”
The AFC Champions League winners will now compete in next month’s FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi, where they will face the winners of the tie between hosts Al Wahda and O-League champions Hekari for the chance to play Inter Milan in the semi-finals.
Seongnam are Korea Republic’s most successful club with seven K-League titles and they have made regular appearances in Asia’s club competitions, winning the Asian Club Championship in 1995. They have also had relative success in the AFC Champions League, reaching the final in 2004 and the semi-finals in 2007.
Zob Ahan had knocked out some of Asia’s biggest clubs on the way to the show-piece game, including holders Pohang Steelers, Uzbek champions Bunyodkor, two-time winners Al Ittihad and Saudi giants Al Hilal in the semi-final. Today’s crown was a third title for the Korea Republic, following triumphs by Jeonbuk Motors in 2006 and Pohang in 2009.
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