By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
Pohang Steelers defeated Gyeongnam FC 2-0 to win the FA Cup Sunday.
Midfielder Hwang Jin-sung fired home the game-winning goal in the first half and fellow midfielder Kim Jae-sung added a second to give the Steelers their second FA Cup title.
Pohang, which advanced to the championship game for a league-best fifth time, won the inaugural competition in 1996.
The triumph earned the Steelers, the 2007 K-League champion, a berth in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League, where they crashed out in the group stage last season.
Steelers' Brazilian manager Sergio Farias became the first non-Korean boss to win both the league and cup trophies.
Pohang wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as Hwang broke the deadlock three minutes into the game.
Right winger Choi Hyo-jin broke into the penalty box after beating three defenders and sent in a cross that the dashing Hwang, who was first to react, latched on to score.
After the opening goal, both sides fought out a close game, exchanging several blows, though neither outfit found the net.
In the second half, Gyeongnam manager Cho Kwang-rae, who took over in December 2007, strived to level the game, replacing three players.
But it was Steelers substitute Kim who had the final say.
In the 78th minute, Kim, who replaced Hwang in the 74th, headed in a Park Won-jae cross on the left flank to double the lead.
The Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament went to midfielder Choi, while Gyengnam striker Kim Dong-chan, who scored six goals in the tournament, became the leading scorer.