Korean club earns berth in World Club Cup JEDDAH – Pohang Steelers of South Korea defeated Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia to win the Asian Champion League at the National Olympic Stadium in Japan. With the victory, Pohang won a berth in the FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates from Dec. 9-19. Pohang striker Noh Byung-jun put his team in the lead in the 57th minute before defender Kim Hyung-il increased the margin with a brilliant header. However, Al-Ittihad midfielder Mohammed Noor scored his team's only goal in the 74th minute. Mohammed Noor and Amine Chermiti were closely monitored by the Korean defenders during the first half. On the other hand, Hicham Aboucherouane failed to rise up to the occasion. The Korean players pressed hard but failed to score in the first half despite noticeable weakness in Al-Ittihad backline. In the second half, Al-Ittihad players had many good chances to score. Chermiti received a cross from Manaf Abu Shugair in the 47th and headed toward the goal, but it hit the bar. Chermiti got another chance in the 55th minute when Aboucherouane sent him a cross. But he kicked over to lose a real goal. The absence of Al-Ittihad right defender Rashed Al-Raheeb worsened the situation for the team. The replacement Obaid Al-Shamrani proved a weak link. Al-Shamrani brought down a Korean player in the 57th minute. Off the resultant freekick Noh Byung succeeded to pierce the defensive wall and beat Al-Ittihad goalkeeper Mabrouk Za'id. Al-Ittihad coach, Gabriel Calderon preferred to make an adventure by replacing defender Al-Shamrani with the Argentinean striker Luciano Leguizamon in the 64th minute. A minute later, it was again a freekick for Pohang but at the left side. Defender Kim Hyung connected the kick with a stunning header. After this goal, Pohang resorted to defend their goal and waste time. This allowed Al-Ittihad to press on the Korean side. Hicham Aboucherouane sent a cross to Chermiti who headed in the goal, but the Korean goalkeeper saved it. However, the ball landed in front of Noor who blasted home powerfully. Pohang coach Sergio Farias focused on the defense line with three replacements. Calderon of Al-Ittihad, however, made a single change. Day of red cards Red cards marked the sixth round of the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Cup matches. Six cards were shown in the 11 encounters played Saturday. At Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, Al-Ahli thrashed its host Ohud 8-0 in Group C. In Riyadh, Al-Hilal defeated Al-Shoa'lah 4-0 in Group A. In the same group, Al-Shabab won over Al-Riyadh 4-1. In Group D, Al-Ra'id defeated Al-Ta'ee 3-0. In other matches, Al-Watani defeated Al-Nasr 3-1, Najran defeated Hitteen 3-1, Abha and Dhamak shared four goals, Al-Ittifaq and Al-Adalah drew goalless, Al-Qadisiyyah and Al-Khaleej shared two goals, Hejr and Al-Fateh drew 1-1 and Al-Faisali defeated Al-Hazm 1
