Ulsan reaches final of AFC Champions League football

Korean football team Ulsan Hyundai Tigers on Wednesday advanced to the final of Asia's premier club competition.

Ulsan defeated Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan 2-0 at its home, Munsu Stadium, in the second leg of the semifinals at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League. Ulsan had won the first leg of the semis 3-1 in Tashkent last Wednesday and made the final on the aggregate score of 5-1.

Forward Kim Shin-wook opened the scoring in the 53rd and his sidekick Lee Keun-ho added the second goal in the 74th to send Ulsan to its first AFC final on its third try. The duo had also scored a goal apiece in the first leg.

Ulsan is the fourth consecutive K-League club to reach the AFC final. It will host the championship match on Nov. 10 against the winner of the other semifinal showdown between Al Ahli and Al Ittihad, both from Saudi Arabia.

The K-League has produced nine Asian club champions -- more than any other on the continent -- dating back to the days of the Asian Champion Club Tournament in 1967, including two of the last three.

Ulsan could have advanced on a draw or even a 2-0 defeat, which still would have given the team an edge in the aggregate score. Bunyodkor, needing a big win to deny Ulsan, was the aggressor from early on, as midfielder Shavkat Salomov forced a tough diving save by goalkeeper Kim Young-kwang in the seventh minute.

Ulsan had a chance of its own in the 42nd, when Estiven's left-footed strike was kept away by Ignatiy Nesterov in goal.

The home team broke the deadlock in the 53rd, capitalizing on shoddy Bunyodkor defense. Defender Hayrulla Karimov tried to clear Rafinha's cross but instead ended up passing it to Kim Shin-wook for an easy chance.

Then in the 74th, Lee Keun-ho took Rafinha's pass just inside the box and volleyed it to the far corner, out of reach of the diving Nesterov.

Ulsan remains unbeaten in 11 AFC matches this year. (Yonhap)