South Korea s Ulsan win Asian Champions League
Ulsan Horang-i of South Korea have defeated Iran s Persepolis 2-1 in Qatar to become football club champions of Asia. Two goals from Brazilian striker Junior Negrao gave the Tigers a come-from-behind win in the Asian Champions League final.
While Ulsan controlled the first half_ a defensive mistake from Park Joo-ho allowed Mehdi Abdi to put Persepolis ahead with a low shot in the 45th minute.
There was still time before the break for Ulsan_ the champions in 2012_ to level. Yoon Bit-garam_ who had hit the post in the ninth minute_ was brought down in the area by Ahmad Nourollahi.
Junior Negrao s penalty was saved by Persepolis goalkeeper Hamed Lak but the striker_ top scorer in the K-League in 2020_ scored from the rebound moments before the break.
Ulsan had a second spot-kick eight minutes after the restart following a handball from Mehdi Shiri and this time the Brazilian made no mistake to score his seventh goal of the tournament.
Persepolis pushed forward but were unable to find the equaliser despite a penalty claim five minutes from time.
The result leaves Iran still searching for a first continental championship since 1993_ while Korea now has a record 12 titles_ five more than Japan. Persepolis lost in the 2018 final.
Ulsan have been based in Doha since November to conclude the Champions League and took their second title_ after 2012_ having won their last nine games in the competition.
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